Students who have a desire for culinary arts or restaurant management have the opportunity to achieve their dreams with the two-year certificate program offered at Oxnard College.

Oxnard College has been known for its dentistry and fire technology programs, but the Culinary Arts Program is one of the best in getting student prepared for the work force, according to instructor Frank Haywood.

The program started around 1985 where it first offered the two-year program to students interested in the culinary arts. The majors offered are in culinary arts and restaurant management.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the department was located where the old cafeteria used to be. At the time the department managed the school cafeteria, where the culinary students could practice their work and make a profit by selling their food.

However, times have changed and the school had to set the culinary center aside. It was at this time going into the early nineties where the district came to run the cafeteria and as a result raised the prices.

If the culinary center still ran the cafeteria at that time the district and students would be saving a lot of money, according to Haywood.

“The school could be saving around $10,000,” he said.

Despite everything, the instructors at the culinary center are there to support their students.

“Were not in it for the money, were in it for the education,” said Chef Joe Carabajal.

Now the culinary students sell their food to only faculty and staff. The Faculty Staff Lunch has been gaining popularity according to Haywood. The culinary students also offer a dinner from 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. on Mondays. Students get to dress up their classroom as well as themselves to present a restaurant atmosphere. The dinner is opened to the faculty, staff as well as the community. However, reservations are recommended.

Compared to the cafeteria the culinary center is a much more affordable. With the price of just $15, guests are given a wide selection from wines, appetizers, entrées, desserts and coffee.

The Culinary Arts Program has an educational partnership with the National Restaurant Association, which gives student a certificate verifying their qualifications in the field. The program has also generated their own scholarships as a result of their profits from the lunches and dinners.

Haywood is pleased that his students are getting the education at the same level of any prestigious culinary school.

“We do a lot of things for our students to help prepare them for a higher education,” he said.

Yul Vianzon, 24, a culinary arts and restaurant management major, put his old nursing major aside and traded it for his dream in the culinary arts.

“I’d rather make people happy through food,” said Vianzon.

Haywood has been around since the establishment of the major and seen many Oxnard college presidents and was happy that the culinary center has not been removed from the school.

Vianzon is hoping to have his own catering business one day. With the help of Oxnard College and the culinary center he will be planning his future very soon.

“If you’re a fan of food, this is the place for you.”