St. Paul College is a two-year vocational and technical college in St. Paul, Minnesota that has provided a cost-effective, quality education for over 100 years. Situated in the historic Cathedral Hill neighborhood near downtown, it operates under the Minnesota State University system and offers degrees, diplomas, and certificates in more than 80 subjects.
The college’s culinary arts department has been operating since 1942 and is one of the oldest vocational programs in the country. Students learn cooking fundamentals grounded in French technique and work in a state-of-the-art kitchen lab gaining real-world experience.
The curriculum gives students a realistic look at how a professional kitchen operates and allows time to experiment and gain familiarity with the technologies they'll likely encounter in the industry. It’s a busy, varied schedule, with the added challenge of the continual flow of new students each semester.
Over the past decade, the lab has evolved from strictly conventional cooking to greater emphasis on efficient kitchen systems. It was a necessary progression, given the widespread adoption of combi cooking as well as the volume of food students prepare and serve.
