Contra Costa College’s award-winning Culinary Arts Program has expanded to an off- campus site in Pittsburg. The new program features a restaurant named “615” (after its address: 615 Railroad Avenue). The “615” restaurant operates as a laboratory for students to fulfill course requirements while providing excellent cuisine for the public to enjoy. The restaurant’s atmosphere resembles that of Three Seasons, located on the campus of Contra Costa College in San Pablo.

According to Chef Nader Sharkes, Culinary Arts Department chair, “Students will receive real-life practical training. Upon successful completion of two semesters of training, students will accomplish entry level requirements for the restaurant business or jobs in any other hospitality industry.”

The new Culinary Arts Program in Pittsburg will offer the following courses in the spring semester of 2010:

• Culinary 120-5562 – Introduction to Fundamentals in Food Service

• Culinary 127-5563 – Becoming Service Safe Certified

• Culinary 251-5564 – Management

• Culinary 95B-5560 –Culinary Arts Laboratory

The courses are designed for students to complete in a sequence that leads to earning a Culinary Arts Management Certificate in one year.

New-student orientation is scheduled for the first day of class: Friday, Jan. 22.

Prospective students may register online at www.contracosta.edu or by phone at 866-455-8734. To enroll in person, visit the San Pablo campus at the Student Services Center (near the AC Transit Bus terminal), Room 115, 2600 Mission Bell Drive.

For more information, call Sharkes at 510-235-7800, ext. 4408.