The chef apprenticeship program at the college is sponsored by the American Culinary Federation and the U.S. Department of Labor. The three-year program has special admission requirements. You must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

The career program features formal course work along with the opportunity to actually practice such skills as baking, menu planning, food purchasing, beverage control and food preparation. After job placement, you join the American Culinary Federation Educational Institute for registered apprentice membership. Likewise, you register with the Department of Labor and will be officially indentured to supervising chefs and the sponsoring American Culinary Federation affiliate chapter for 6,000 hours. The program consists of 75 credit hours and leads to an associate of applied science degree.

(Major Code 2440; CIP Code 12.0503)

Chef Apprenticeship Program web page

Program Outcomes

Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is committed to offering high-quality affordable programs that focus on developing knowledge and skills conducive to life-long learning. Both the General Education Student Learning Outcomes and Institutional Learning Outcomes convey JCCC's approach to programmatic outcomes. Additionally, students who successfully complete the Chef Apprenticeship, AAS from JCCC will be able to:

  • Master all aspects of baking, cooking, and food preparation, from making simple salad dressings to artisanal bread, to butchering an entire hog and producing smoked hams and complex sausages, including grade-manger (cold-food preparation).
  • Develop the skillset for supervisory and human resources management.
  • Understand kitchen facilities design and management, including safety and sanitation.
  • Learn the basics of nutrition and healthy meal planning.
  • Become proficient in hospitality accounting and operational cost control for profit.
  • Demonstrate best practices in purchasing and menu design planning.