TORONTO – Beginning September 2017, George Brown College Chef School students will be the first in Canada to pursue a bachelor of commerce with a culinary specialization. The new Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) – the first program of its kind in the country – aims to provide students with the tools they need to achieve and sustain long-term success in the food and beverage industry.
The degree represents an innovative approach to culinary education, aimed at supporting the needs of a dynamic and rapidly changing foodservice landscape. Tailored specifically to the culinary field, the program combines management theory with advanced culinary courses, preparing students to enter the culinary industry with a strategic approach to operations and greater depth of insight in regards to food and cooking. Apart from acquiring advanced culinary skills, students will be introduced to business concepts necessary to manage a variety of modern foodservice operations.
“With the rapid expansion of the culinary industry there is a need for professionals who can marry detailed gastronomic knowledge with advanced management skills. They require a level of business expertise to work in modern Canadian kitchens,” said Christine Walker, Chef School Academic Chair, George Brown College. “Through blending of theoretical and practical education, students will gain the skills and knowledge to achieve successful careers in today’s highly competitive culinary world.”
The Canadian food and beverage industry has expressed a rising need for professionals with both business and food-related knowledge. Developed with input from employers, the program will provide students with the depth and breadth of knowledge commensurate with an honours level, undergraduate commerce degree specializing in culinary management. Throughout the four-year program, students will gain strong foundations in commerce and topics related to food and foodservice. They will also complete two externship work placements.
“George Brown College is the first academic institution in Canada to offer a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Honours level with a focus on Culinary Management. Driven by industry input and the Commerce credential, this degree prepares students with a solid foundation in culinary proficiency and business acumen,” said Dr. Mark Holmes, Professor and Program Coordinator, George Brown College. “I look forward to working with students in the years ahead to prepare them for careers in this exciting and fast paced industry.”
The Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) builds on the Chef School’s reputation as a leading culinary educator, offering a unique selection of programs at basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
About George Brown College
Toronto’s George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three campuses located across the downtown core, and provides housing at its student residence, The George, which opened in Sept. 2016. George Brown offers 152 full-time programs and 243 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to a student body of nearly 29,000 (full-time enrolment) students, including 15 per cent international students; and over 66,000 continuing education registrants. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, postgraduate certificates, apprenticeships and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
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For more information:
Joyann Callender
Media Relations Manager
George Brown College
Office: 416-415-5000 ext. 3159
Jcallender3@georgebrown.ca
