Gourmet Cooking Certificate

Online Gourmet Cooking Course

If you love cooking and want to learn more about preparing and serving exceptional meals, our online Gourmet Cooking Certificate can help you take your culinary skills to the next level! Through online cooking classes, you'll learn how to make gourmet dishes from home, around your schedule. 

  • Learn to create gourmet dishes like chateaubriand, striped sea bass, and sesame shiitake noodles.
  • Online cooking courses cover how to create stocks, sauces, and soups, baking and pastry, breakfast, garde manger, and world cuisines.
  • Gain hands-on experience throughout the program by completing online food labs to apply what you learn to real-world recipes.
  • Graduates of the certificate program are eligible to sit for the National Restaurant Association (NRA) ServSafe Food Handler certification exam.
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $190 Ends 11/26/2024

Cost of Program

$799

$989 Save $190

or

$59/month, Start for as low as $39

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

gourmet chef cooking in kitchen.

What You Will Learn

  1. How to select the proper buffet setup for different situations and specific techniques for garnishing and presenting individual dishes.
  2. How to use a variety of preparation and cooking techniques, including cutting techniques such as julienne and chiffonade, and cooking methods such as braising, parboiling, and stir-frying.
  3. How to prepare a variety of dishes properly, including fish, poultry, and beef, as well as utilizing the best cooking technique for each.
  4. How to prepare ingredients and create a variety of popular gourmet meals and world cuisines.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Gourmet Cooking Career Outcomes


Our Gourmet Cooking Certificate Program is an online cooking class that teaches you skills to create delicious and memorable dishes. Whether you want to learn to cook professionally or in your own kitchen for friends and family, you can study cooking essentials without the need to commute to a culinary school. It's important to note, however, that the completion of a certificate-level program alone may not qualify you for employment in the field and additional education, training, or certification may be required.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Online Cooking Course Curriculum

  • 8 Courses
  • 28.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
  • 18 Exams


Estimated completion time:

  • Fast track = 3 months
  • Average time = 7 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

As part of our Gourmet Cooking course curriculum, you'll learn the fundamental skills to excel at cooking and presenting excellent meals for family and friends. Your courses include:


  • Gourmet Cooking: Stocks, Sauces, and Soups
  • Gourmet Cooking: Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs
  • Gourmet Cooking: Poultry and Game
  • Gourmet Cooking: Baking and Pastry

Show Full Curriculum

Gourmet Cooking Success Stories

Penn Foster’s Gourmet Cooking Certificate Program can help prepare you to refine your culinary skills. Learn more about Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.
View Student Success Stories
quote icon

Stefania D.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“It helped me finish faster and go at my own pace to get a job faster.”

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.
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Gourmet Cooking Course Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our online Gourmet Cooking Certificate Program. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today! 

Option 1: Pay in full

Save up to $190 Ends 11/26/2024

Cost of Program1

$799

$989 Save $190

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program1

$989

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $39 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program1

$989

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $39 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Gourmet Cooking Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Start anytime
  • No exam due dates
  • Self-paced

Interactive

  • Digital study guides 
  • Self-check quizzes 
  • Simulations and videos 

Connected

  • 24/7 access to online resources 
  • Online student community 
  • Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

  • Expert faculty 
  • Dedicated student services 
  • Robust learning resources 

Related Programs

FAQ

What types of careers can I begin with a gourmet cooking certificate?

A certificate-level program in gourmet cooking can help you learn culinary basics or take the skills you have to the next level. However, a certificate alone won't necessarily qualify you for a job as a chef or cook in a restaurant. Combined with additional education, credentials, or work experience, you could potentially qualify for jobs like line cook, professional chef, or roles in catering and foodservice.

Is a culinary certificate worth it?

Learning to cook well can be beneficial for many reasons, meaning that taking online cooking courses can definitely be worth the time! Whether you want to learn how to prepare more meals at home so you can avoid take-out every night, or you want to impress family and friends with your culinary skills, gourmet cooking classes can help you take the first step. 

What is the average salary for a chef?

According to Salary.com, the salary range typically falls between $44,197 and $60,276.¹ Salary can vary based on experience, where you work, and what kind of chef you are. It's important to note that, to become a chef, you may need more culinary education and experience than offered in a certificate-level program and many chefs initially start their careers as line cooks, sous chefs, or in other assistant kitchen roles. Salary can vary based on experience, where you work, and what kind of chef you are. It's important to note that, to become a chef, you may need more culinary education and experience than offered in a certificate-level program and many chefs initially start their careers as line cooks, sous chefs, or in other assistant kitchen roles.

What is the career outlook for the restaurant industry?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in the restaurant industry is predicted to grow 2% by 2032, adding about 79,700 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers each year.²