Culinary Arts/Foods & Nutrition

The BC Food and Nutrition Program, part of the Family and Consumer Education Department, combines both classroom learning and hands-on training to prepare students for careers in the food service industry. 

By completing the required courses, students can earn an Associate Degree or Certificate in Culinary Arts, Food Management, or Dietetic Services. The program helps students develop a strong understanding of nutrition, cooking techniques, and management practices.

This well-rounded program integrates theory with practical experience, offering students the opportunity to practice their skills in the Food and Nutrition Program's student-run restaurant, The Renegade Room. Students attend lectures on basic cooking skills and then apply what they've learned in lab settings, where they experience all aspects of running a kitchen and dining room.

The “Renegade Room Restaurant” is the lab where hands on training begins.

Renegade Room

The Food & Nutrition program does more than just operate a restaurant 3 days per week. It also helps support many food service functions both on and off the campus.

We participate in fundraising activities for our own program but also contribute to our community events as well.

This gives the students an opportunity to experience another facet of the food service industry, a better understanding of how to stage off site events and a glimpse of the overall collaboration required for major campus events.

Degrees and Certificates

Associate Degrees

• Culinary Arts Associate of Science Degree
• Food Service Management Option - Associate of Science Degree
• Nutrition and Dietetics - Associate of Science for Transfer Degree

Certificate of Achievement Options

• Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement
• Dietetic Services Supervisor Program Certificate of Achievement

General Education Patterns

Follow one of the general education to satisfy requirements for graduation from Bakersfield College or successfully transfer to a CSU or UC. Find your pattern at General Education Patterns.