Culinary Arts and Hospitality in South Carolina
South Carolina's Culinary Arts and Hospitality pathway prepares students for careers in the state's vibrant tourism and hospitality industry. This comprehensive program covers culinary techniques, restaurant operations, food safety, hospitality management, and customer service excellence. With South Carolina's coastal tourism destinations, historic cities like Charleston and Greenville, and growing culinary scene, the hospitality industry provides substantial employment opportunities.
The pathway emphasizes both classical culinary fundamentals and contemporary food service trends including farm-to-table concepts, dietary accommodations, and sustainable food practices. Students gain hands-on experience in professional-grade culinary laboratories and often operate student-run restaurants or catering services that provide authentic hospitality experiences. The curriculum integrates business management, nutrition science, and professional communication skills essential for hospitality careers.
South Carolina's Culinary Arts programs maintain partnerships with restaurants, hotels, resorts, and catering companies throughout the state, providing students with industry mentorship and employment pathways. Graduates are prepared for entry-level culinary positions, management training programs, or continuation to culinary arts or hospitality management degree programs.
Culinary Arts and Hospitality at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
South Carolina's Culinary Arts standards align with American Culinary Federation (ACF) educational standards and National Restaurant Association (NRA) competencies. State standards emphasize food safety and sanitation, culinary techniques, nutrition, menu planning, cost control, and hospitality service excellence. The framework prepares students for industry certifications and professional culinary employment.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Culinary Arts 1: Fundamentals and Food Safety | CUL-101 |
| Culinary Arts 2: Culinary Techniques and Nutrition | CUL-201 |
| Culinary Arts 3: Advanced Culinary and Baking | CUL-301 |
| Culinary Arts 4: Restaurant Management Practicum | CUL-401 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 1
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 2
- ✓Hospitality Tourism Specialist (HTS)
- ✓Guest Service Gold - Tourism
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Line Cook
Entry LevelSalary range: $29,770 - $37,440
Adjusted for cost of living: $31,949
Sous Chef
ExperiencedSalary range: $51,990 - $73,040
Adjusted for cost of living: $65,776
Restaurant Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $53,460 - $81,760
Adjusted for cost of living: $67,697
Catering Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $53,460 - $81,760
Adjusted for cost of living: $67,697
Executive Chef
ExperiencedSalary range: $51,990 - $73,040
Adjusted for cost of living: $65,776
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in internships and cooperative education placements at restaurants, hotels, resorts, catering companies, and institutional food service operations throughout South Carolina. Work-based learning includes operation of student-run restaurants, catering for community events, job shadowing with executive chefs, and summer employment in the hospitality industry.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps South Carolina CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
South Carolina Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with South Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as South Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in South Carolina
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
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