Study Guide: Culinary Arts in Malaysia

Do you love the art of cooking and dream of running a great restaurant? Or does managing and catering an event for 1500 people sound appealing? If you are wondering which path better suits you, what you're really mulling over are the differences between a culinary arts program of study and a degree in hospitality management. While both prepare you for working in similar places of employment, the jobs that each degree qualifies you for are different.

Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts involves is the science and art of menu planning, meal preparation, and food service management. Whether you are preparing food for a niche French café or an event for 500, there are basic skills you will need to be efficient when handling various types of foods and preparing dishes for your customers and patrons.

Within the field of Culinary Arts, there are various fields, which are:

Culinary arts: Deals with preparing different food and cuisine, with some exposure to pastry and baking.
Pastry and baking: Specialises in the professional preparation of pastries, cakes and baked goods, sometimes known as patisserie.
Culinary management: Deals with managing F&B and kitchen operations, with some exposure to basic culinary arts.

Entry Requirements to Study Culinary Arts

These are the general entry requirements to pursue a degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management in Malaysia. Entry requirements for some universities may be higher, so do make sure you check the details carefully.

A-Level: Minimum EE
Australian Matriculation SAM/SACE International: Minimum of ATAR 55
Canadian Pre-University programmes: Minimum average of 50% in 6 subjects
Foundation or Matriculation programme: Pass with minimum CGPA of 2.00
International Baccalaureate (IB): Minimum 24 points in 6 subjects
UEC: Pass with minimum 5Bs
STPM: Pass with minimum CGPA of 2.00
Diploma: Minimum CGPA of 2.00

pathways

Pathway to Study Culinary Arts

This is the general pathway to study culinary arts after completing your SPM or IGCSE.

Step 1: Complete STPM/UEC/Pre-university programme for 1-2 years. You can also opt to be enrolled in diploma programmes in culinary arts for 2 years.

Step 2: Once you graduate with a diploma, you can choose to go straight to the workforce.

Step 3: If you want to pursue a culinary arts degree, enrol in a 3-year degree programme.

Step 4: Once you've completed your degree, you can choose to go straight to the workforce.

Subjects in A Culinary Arts degree

As part of a culinary arts programme, you will learn various subjects that will hone your culinary skills. From food preparation to kitchen service and restaurant operations, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed for a successful culinary career!

Here are some of the subjects that you may learn in Culinary Arts:

Food and Beverage Services
Essential Cuisine Techniques
Kitchen Operations and Management
Food Hygiene and Sanitation
Patisserie and Baking
Revenue and Profit Management
Menu Design and Creation

In most universities and culinary schools, you will usually be required to undergo an internship or industrial training as part of your studies so that you can gain hands-on experience in the industry. This is your chance to shine, as you could very well land a job even before you graduate!

Job Prospects with A Culinary Arts Degree

Mostly the same places hire graduates of culinary arts and hotel management. However, the areas of work available for culinary arts graduates are limited as compared to hotel management. A hotel management graduate can be hired to work in most of the job profiles available in the hotel industry, but a culinary arts graduate mostly stays in kitchen and restaurant operations.

Those with a culinary arts qualification can seek employment in the F&B and hospitality industry. Here are some careers that you can pursue upon graduating:

Commis Chef
Station Chef / Chef de Partie
Sous Chef
Executive Chef / Chef de Cuisine
Pastry Chef
Food Marketing Consultant
Food Service Manager
Restaurant Manager

Completing a degree in Hospitality Management will prepare you for a career in various sectors, including food & beverage, event management, hotels & resorts and travel. Here are some jobs that are related to Hospitality Management:

Catering Manager
Cost Control Manager
Travel Destination Brand Manager
Entertainment Manager
Event Planner
Food & Beverage Manager
Food Service Manager
Hotel Manager
Purchasing Manager
Restaurant Manager
Training Manager
Travel Consultant

Institutions to Study Culinary Arts

Taylor's University Lakeside Campus

Bachelor of Culinary Management (Hons)

Intakes: January, March & August
Annual Fees: RM36,886
Duration: 3 years

Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts (APCA Malaysia)

Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts

Intakes: April
Annual Fees: N/A
Duration: 9 months

Taylor's University Lakeside Campus

Diploma in Culinary Arts

Intakes: April & August
Annual Fees: RM30,321
Duration: 2 years

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