Cook's Helper
Career Training Certificate
Learn basic hot and cold food preparation, sanitation and safety procedures, and general restaurant operations. Course modules will prepare students for employment in a variety of food service settings. Complete this certificate exclusively on weekdays.
Note: This is a clock-hour, non-credit certificate offered through the PCC Center for Training and Development.
What can I do with this certificate?
Career Options: Gain entry-level employment as a cook in hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, catering operations, hospitals, and schools.
Academic Options: Continue your studies by completing the Pre-Apprentice Certificate or enroll in the PCC associate's degree in Culinary Arts.
More Information: Review program costs, student debt, on-time graduation and more [view PDF]
Program Requirements
Before enrolling in this certificate, students must take the Accuplacer test and meet the following scores: Reading Comprehension: 21, Arithmetic: 20, and Sentence Skills: 35. If you are unable to meet these required scores, CTD provides basic skills reviews in the Desert Vista Campus Learning Center that may be able to assist you to reaching the scores needed.
Required Modules
| Module # | Title | Hours |
| FS 705 | Sanitation and Safety Fundamentals | 60 |
| FS 720 | Tools, Utensils and Equipment | 75 |
| FS 725 | Cold Foods - Salads and Dressings | 90 |
| FS 745 | Hot Foods - Vegetables, Starches, Pastas, and Grains | 60 |
| FS 760 | Hot Foods - Stocks, Sauces and Soups | 80 |
| FS 765 | Culinary Principles - Terminology, Record Keeping and Service | 40 |
| FS 770 | Hot Foods - Introduction to Meat and Seafood Cookery | 60 |
| FS 845 | Knife Skills | 60 |
| FS 850 | Hot Foods - Breakfast Cookery | 30 |
| FS 885 | Hot Foods - Intermediate Meat and Seafood Cookery | 60 |
| FS 900 | Food Service Externship | 60 |
| FS 901 | Sanitation and Regulatory Issues | 30 |
| Total | 705 | |