Program Overview
The Year 2 specialization program in Culinary Arts – Commis Chef allows students to progress in the gastronomy field, and is structured to give students an understanding of Italian culture as well as the technical means to become professionals in the Culinary Arts field. The Year 2 specialization includes a block set of courses that build on the foundational year in Food, Wine & Wellness (Year 1), however, students can choose to enroll directly into Year 2 if they meet certain prerequisites (see Prerequisites below). An advanced Master Certificate in Culinary Arts – Chef de Partie (Year 3) is also available for students who wish to further advance their studies and skills.

Program Objectives
The Year 2 specialization in Culinary Arts will broaden students’ knowledge of Italian gastronomy and nutrition, offering a rigorous focus on techniques, direct experience, and understanding of the Mediterranean identity. Courses will hone skills and knowledge of professional cooking techniques, plating, traditional Italian ingredients, and the physiology of taste and the science of cooking, combined with experiential learning opportunities within the school’s CEMI (Community Engagement Member Institutions), internal internship placements within the school run restaurant and bakery, Ganzo and Fedora. These institutions are open to the local community, allowing for students to directly apply their skills and knowledge to real-life situations. Throughout the program, students are mentored by accomplished faculty who directly represent the culinary and Italian gastronomy industry.

Career Opportunities
The program focuses on both production and individualized skills necessary to find gainful employment in a wide variety of positions. Possible career opportunities include commis chef in high-end restaurants or hotels, demi-chef de partie, recipe developer for international companies, representative/agent for specialty food distributions, kitchen and nutritionist consultant, food stylist, or private chef.

Duration and Certification
Students can enroll in one semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer), or complete two consecutive terms for a full academic year. Students who complete the full academic year will earn a certificate in Culinary Arts- Commis Chef, with the exception of students who enroll in the Direct Access Track (see Prerequisites, below), who will instead receive an official letter from Apicius confirming their completion of the program, along with a transcript. All students receive undergraduate course credit and a US transcript issued by the University of South Florida upon successful completion.

Prerequisites
Year 2: To enroll in this Year 2 specialization in Culinary Arts, students can either continue after completion of the Year 1 Food, Wine & Wellness program, or, begin directly in Year 2 by meeting the requirements below. For either option, students must have a high school diploma and be fluent English. Students wishing to enroll in the second semester of the program only, must submit a transcript demonstrating successful completion of course equivalents to the first semester courses.

Students wishing to begin directly in Year 2 without completing Year 1, can do so in the following ways:

• Providing proof of completion of the courses equivalent to the Year 1 program (transcript required).
• Direct Access Track: those with no prior academic background or experience can complete 2 pre-determined courses during the sessions prior to the start o the Year 2 program (see Courses).

Year 3: Students wishing to further advance their studies after Year 2 with an Advanced Master Certificate in Baking and Pastry can continue on to Culinary Arts – Chef de Partie

Optional Internships (fee applies)
Students who complete a full academic year can supplement their program with either a non-credit 3 week internship or a 3-credit 6 week internship in their field of study. This internship can be added in the session after the regular program has ended.  Contact SAI for more details.

Optional Italian Language (fee applies, except for Direct Access Track students)

Career Certificate program students can supplement their program with a 3-week, 3 credit intensive Italian Language course that takes place prior to the fall and spring sessions. Beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of intensive Italian language are offered. *Direct Access Track students’ supplemental tuition already includes this optional language course.

The Culinary Arts – Commis Chef specialization offers a Fall, Spring, or Summer start date, and comprises two consecutive terms to create a full academic year. Each semester includes a set of four 3-credit courses and one 6-credit course. There is also a 1-credit Health and Safety Seminar at the beginning of the first semester. In addition, there is a mandatory non-credit experiential learning project during the January intersession, and the experiential learning projects during the semester intersessions, where indicated, are also mandatory.

The Year 2 Culinary Arts specialization courses are:

First Semester
Professional Cooking III: Italian Creative Cuisine and Decoration (session I)
Tradition of Italian Food II (session II)
Baking Techniques II: Italian Pastry Techniques (session II)
Cooking Light: Contemporary Techniques for Healthy Living (session III)
The Science of Cooking: An Introduction to Molecular Cuisine (session IV)

August & January Intersessions
Mandatory: Special Project Experiential Learning
Optional: Intensive Italian Language

Second Semester
Nutritional Cooking (session I)
Food and Beverages Operations and Management Experiential Learning (session I)
Physiology of Taste and Flavor Experiential Learning (session II)
Worldwide Cuisine Experiential Learning (session III)
Precision Cooking and Texture Development (session IV)

For the full detailed course descriptions please contact us.

Direct Access Track: Students who enroll in the Direct Access Track will complete two pre-determined courses in the two, 3-week short sessions prior to the start of their program:

Introduction to Professional Cooking
Tradition of Italian Food

For further information regarding direct access track please contact SAI admissions.

Career Certificate program students are offered the choice between SAI’s two services models: 360° Services, which includes our full services and housing; and Select Services, designed for more independent students and no housing. The program fee differs for the two service models (see Fees & Budgeting).

SAI 360° Services includes our full services!

• Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
• Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
• Airport pickup and transportation on arrival day
• Welcome reception and events
• SAI orientation to the host city and school
• SAI staff on-site dedicated to fostering a welcoming community for all students by providing assistance to diverse needs
• SAI Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities & trips outside host city
• FUA meal plan starter pack
• Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
• 24-hour on-site emergency support
• Farewell event with all students

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

• US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
• Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
• Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
• Assistance with student visa application
• Assistance with financial aid processing
• Need-based SAI scholarships
• Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
• SAI Ambassador Program for SAI alumni, with paid internship opportunities
• SAI alumni network

SAI Select Services includes the important on-site services!

• Program tuition, with US academic credit
• Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
• SAI orientation to the host city and school
• SAI staff on-site providing assistance as needed and 24-hour emergency support

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

• US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
• Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
• Assistance with student visa application
• Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
• SAI alumni network

*Please note: Arrival and Departure dates differ if Optional Italian Language and / or Internship courses are added. Please contact our office for dates.

*Please note: Arrival and Departure dates differ if Optional Italian Language and / or Internship courses are added. Please contact our office for dates.

*Please note: Arrival and Departure dates differ if Optional Italian Language and / or Internship courses are added. Please contact our office for dates.

*prices are subject to change

*prices are subject to change

Housing is only included in SAI 360° Services programs. Students selecting SAI Select Services are responsible for securing their housing independently.

Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.

Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a shared or single bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Breakfast and/or dinner daily are included. Please note that some homestays may be outside of the city center and require a commute to reach school.

Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.

Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law students studying in Italy for 91 days or more are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for details on student visa requirements.

Students must appear in person at the Italian Consulate to present their student visa application. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for the appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.