<h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfProgramIsIt">What Kind of Program Is It?</h3> <p>Ashworth College's Career Diploma in Gourmet Cooking and Catering program is designed to teach students a variety of preparation techniques for many kinds of entrees and desserts. Lessons provide instruction in how to cook and serve soups, sauces, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, salads, sandwiches, vegetables, and hors d'oeuvres. Students also have the opportunity to learn how to bake pies, cakes, breads, and cookies. Other lessons address nutrition, culinary equipment, menu planning, banquet management techniques, catering business management, food sanitation, and banquet service styles. Ashworth College provides students of this program with a textbook, study guide, online support, and a supplemental guide in how to operate a home-based catering business. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisites">What Are the Prerequisites?</h3> <p>Aspiring students of Ashworth College's Career Diploma in Gourmet Cooking and Catering program should have good interpersonal skills in addition to a passion for food and cooking. There are no educational or professional prerequisites for this program. Applicants to Ashworth College's programs should be 17 years of age or older. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheCourseRequirements">What Are the Course Requirements?</h3> <p>You must complete 20 comprehensive online lessons to earn Ashworth College's Career Diploma in Gourmet Cooking and Catering. Lessons consist of reading assignments, hundreds of recipes you can use in practice exercises, and open-book, online exams. This career diploma can be earned in less than six months. </p> <p><u>Gourmet Cooking and Catering Course Requirements</u> </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Lesson Number</th><th>Lesson Name</th></tr> <tr><td>1</td><td>The Basics of Gourmet Cooking</td></tr> <tr><td>2</td><td>Nutrition and Recipes</td></tr> <tr><td>3</td><td>Tools and Equipment</td></tr> <tr><td>4</td><td>Kitchen Stapes and Dairy Products</td></tr> <tr><td>5</td><td>Tricks and Tips: Stocks and Sauces</td></tr> <tr><td>6</td><td>Soups and Meat Cookery</td></tr> <tr><td>7</td><td>Beef, Veal, Lamb and Pork</td></tr> <tr><td>8</td><td>Poultry and Game</td></tr> <tr><td>9</td><td>Fish and Eggs</td></tr> <tr><td>10</td><td>Deep Frying and Vegetables</td></tr> <tr><td>11</td><td>Starches and Salads</td></tr> <tr><td>12</td><td>Fruits, Sandwiches, Canap&eacute;s and Hors d'oeuvres</td></tr> <tr><td>13</td><td>Baking and Breads</td></tr> <tr><td>14</td><td>Pies, Cookies and Cakes</td></tr> <tr><td>15</td><td>Banquet Service Fundamentals</td></tr> <tr><td>16</td><td>Banquet Management and Booking</td></tr> <tr><td>17</td><td>Managing the Function</td></tr> <tr><td>18</td><td>The Banquet Function Sheet</td></tr> <tr><td>19</td><td>Getting Started in Catering</td></tr> <tr><td>20</td><td>Success in Catering</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatCouldIDoAfterIGraduate">What Could I Do After I Graduate?</h3> <h4 id="section---CareerOpportunities">Career Opportunities</h4> <p>Once you have completed Ashworth College's Career Diploma in Gourmet Cooking and Catering program, you could seek employment in a variety of culinary settings. You could find work in restaurants, bakeries, banquet halls, catering companies, or cafeterias. Or, you might begin your own catering business. Positions you might pursue include: </p> <ul><li>Restaurant chef </li><li>Pastry chef </li><li>Banquet chef </li><li>Catering assistant </li></ul><h4 id="section---AdvancedDegrees">Advanced Degrees</h4> <p>In many cases, an education beyond Ashworth College's Career Diploma in Gourmet Cooking and Catering program is not required to begin your career in the culinary field. Many employers utilize on-the-job training and apprenticeships to master chefs to continue one's education. An Associate of Science in Business Management could be beneficial to graduates seeking to begin their own catering business.</p>