Philadelphia Pennsylvania Culinary School at the Star Career Academy
Philadelphia is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, with a current population that sits at just over 5 million residents.
Overall, it is a fairly typical city in Pennsylvania, with great variability in the seasons and plenty of outdoor recreational options.
If you ever thought about going to cooking school in the Philadelphia area, here is a cooking school you should look into.
What You Need to Know
Below is some basic information about the Philadelphia Star Career Academy programs. It should help you decide if this is a school to consider. If it does make your list of possible choices, I suggest you click on the "Request School Info" button, fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer all your questions in detail, fill you in on costs and financial aid and explain the next steps to apply.
Star Career Academy – Philadelphia
2371 Welsh Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Star Career Academy of Philadelphia
Star Career Academy (SCA) was founded in 1979 as the Star Technical Institute school group offering training in drafting and design. In 1983 the schools diversified their training programs introducing business, computer and allied health programs.
In August 2008, four Star Technical Institute campuses (Egg Harbor Township, Philadelphia, Lakewood and Newark) became branches of two New York-based career schools: Culinary Academy of Long Island and Career Academy of New York. This brought the schools under the umbrella ownership of Quad Partners, an investment firm specializing in educational products and schools.
Star Career Academy, Syosset began operation in 1996 as the Culinary Academy of Long Island offering a professional cooking certificate program. In the summer of 1997 a commercial cooking certificate program was introduced and offered in the evening and designed to meet the needs of students seeking skills to advance or change careers. Also introduced were short weekend continuing education courses in baking and pastry arts.
Commercial Cooking and Catering
Students in the Commercial Cooking and Catering program at the Academy learn the skills necessary for a career in professional food preparation. Courses include skills development, which covers aspects like measuring, knife skills, menu planning, and cooking techniques, food preparation, baking and cake decoration, quantity food production, food safety and sanitation, catering, restaurant operations, and purchasing.
Students also complete an externship, which provides them with valuable experience. Students take classes Monday through Friday; the morning session runs from 8:30 to 1:30 and the afternoon session lasts from 1:30 to 6:30. Students get total immersion in their fields of study. When they graduate from this rigorous program, students will be prepared to find entry-level work as sous chefs, bakers, pantry people, short order cook, line cook, or garde mangers.
Baking and Pastry
The Career Academy offers two Baking and Pastry programs, both of which are offered on Saturdays from 8:30 to 5:30. In Baking and Pastry Arts I, students learn the basics of baking breads, rolls, cakes, pies, pastries, and candies. They also focus on professional cake decorating. In Baking and Pastry Arts II, students focus on creating specialty cakes and desserts.
In addition, students learn about cost and menu planning, as well as preparing a wide variety of items for bakeries and restaurants. Students go from basics, like cookies and pies to such treats as Crème Brule, Pot de Crème, Crème Carmel, Cobblers, Crepes, and Strudel.
Commercial Cooking
The Career Academy offers two Commercial Cooking programs. One is a 900 hour program, which includes an externship. Students focus on skills development, food preparation, cake decorating, quantity food production, catering, food purchasing, food safety and sanitation, and restaurant operations. Upon completion, students will be able to find entry-level work as sous chefs, bakers, short order cooks, line cooks, or garde mangers.
The other Commercial Cooking program is a 600 hour course, which also includes an externship. This option also prepares students for entry-level positions and focuses on food preparation, skills development, quantity food production, and sanitation. For their externship, students complete further training as garde manger or assistant cooks.
Hotel Management
Students of the Hotel Management program have different options to choose from when completing their training. They can earn their certificate in nine months with day classes or in thirteen months with evening classes. In both options, students learn hotel management, hotel operations with a lab, hotel back-office administration, personal and career development, food and beverage operations, food and beverage sales, front desk, and an externship.
In addition, students are well versed in security operations, human resources, legal procedures, and tourism. Graduates will be prepared for work as guest service agents, housekeeping coordinators, sales and marketing assistants, human resources assistants, and accounting assistants. The Academy also allows Hotel Management students the opportunity to earn certifications from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) for housekeeping management and security/loss prevention at no extra charge.
Faculty
The Star Career Academy is proud of its faculty. Faculty members are not only excellent and extremely qualified instructors, they are also experts in their fields. From top chefs to luxury resort managers, the Academy faculty brings high level experience and knowledge to their students.
Facilities
The Academy features all the best equipment that aspiring chefs and hospitality experts could want. It occupies approximately 32,000 square feet of space. The school is well-lit, air-conditioned and provides a comfortable environment conducive to teaching and learning. Its class core technical libraries are available to the students, in addition to access to a student lounge and ample free parking
Accreditation
Career Academy of Philadelphia is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Financial Aid
Star Career Academy participates in federal and state financial aid programs. Interested students should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine if they are eligible for grants and loans.
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important, information please visit our web site at www.starcareeracademy.com/consumerinfo.php.
Going to Culinary School in Philadelphia
History buffs will have all they can handle in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Visitors to Independence Hall can relive the signing of the Declaration of Independence and then stand before the Liberty Bell. Within walking distance are dozens of historic buildings once occupied by our nation's founders. Just north of the city is Valley Forge, where Washington's soldiers survived a brutal winter and became an army.
Philadelphia is one of the largest college towns in the U.S. with nearly 300,000 students in the five county metro area. There are over 80 colleges, universities and trade schools serving these students. With such a large student population, Philadelphia has a wealth of activities targeted at the college crowd.
What Do You Need To Know to Get Into Culinary School?
As the Reluctant Gourmet, I have never been to cooking school, but I keep telling myself it's never too late. The best way for you to learn more about becoming a chef is to visit my new Culinary School Resource Center. Here you will find articles, books, school resources and many other useful resources.
Also, try reading as much as you can about going to cooking school and what it is like to be a professional chef. One book I highly recommend to anyone thinking about culinary school is, The Making of A Chef, by Michael Ruhlman. It will really help you understand what you may be getting yourself into. For a complete list of Books For Cooks.
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