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Culinary Entrepreneurship – BA (Hons)

  • CAO Points: 263

  • Campus: Athlone

  • years: 4


Course Overview

This programme develops honours degree students in the field of culinary entrepreneurship. Students will acquire the critical thinking and applied skills necessary to succeed in culinary businesses, food enterprise development and/or food innovation management.

The course has an integrated culinary internship in a food processing facility which can lead to exciting opportunities on graduation in Ireland or abroad.  Past graduates of this programme have secured employment in such roles, i.e. Quality Manager, Rudd’s Foods Ltd., Co. Offaly, Specifications Technologist, Mr. Crumb Ltd., Co. Longford, Process Improvements Technical, O’Brien’s Fine Foods Ltd., Co. Kildare and Technical Manager, Kingsgate Investment, Kepak Group, Co. Meath.

Students will also have the opportunity to achieve the following external accreditations: Environmental Health Officers (EHAI) Food Safety Level 2 Certificate, Environmental Health Officers (EHAI) Food Safety Level 3 Certificate, and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) First Aid Responders Certificate.

Contact Details

Dr. Emma Reardon

Head of Department

Email: Emma.Reardon@tus.ie

Telephone: (090) 6471871

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum O6/H7 grades in the Leaving Certificate examination. One of the six subjects presented must include English. Two of the six subjects must be at a grade of H5 or above.

QQI

Any QQI-FET level 5 qualification is acceptable but must contain a minimum of 3 distinctions.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

  • Fundamental Culinary Practice

    Credits: 5

    This practical module allows learners to develop basic culinary skills and operational knowledge of a food preparation environment. Attention is given to sustainability, waste reduction, portion control, and key skills development. This practical module allows learners to develop basic culinary skills and operational knowledge of a food preparation environment. Attention is given to sustainability, waste reduction, portion control, and key skills development.

  • Fundamentals of Artisan Patisserie and Bakery

    Credits: 5

    This module ensures that all learners are competent in the production of pastries, breads, sponge products, and desserts. Particular emphasis is placed on the scientific principles and production processes underpinning this discipline.

  • Learning and Development for Higher Education

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to support learners in their transition to becoming independent learners in higher education by enabling them to develop a range of skills and strategies essential for success.

  • Introduction to Computer Applications

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces the learner to fundamental computer application skills required to work in a service-oriented business.

  • Culinary & Restaurant Skills

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to prepare, cook, present and serve a range of dishes necessary to deliver a professional standard of food and beverage service in a range of restaurant operations.

  • Food Safety & Risk Management

    Credits: 5

    This module is divided into three distinct components: Food Safety Management, Health & Safety Management and PHECC First Aid Course. This module will provide learners with detailed theoretical knowledge and practical engagement underpinning food safety and food safety management systems to become competent in and work to standards of best practice within the Food Service Environment.

  • Culinary & Restaurant Operations

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to prepare, cook, present and serve a range of dishes necessary to deliver a professional standard of food and beverage service in a range of restaurant operations. Learners will experience simulated time deadlines associated with a working kitchen and restaurant.

  • Contemporary Artisan Patisserie and Bakery

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to build on the skills learned in the first semester (Fundamentals of Artisan Patisserie and Bakery). The programme provides invaluable pastry and baking training in a purpose-built learning environment.

  • Nutrition and Menu Planning

    Credits: 5

    This module is twofold in structure which focuses on the blending of food science and the culinary arts which prepares the student to work in the culinary sector and possible progression into food product development and innovation.

  • Hospitality Business Management

    Credits: 5

    This module seeks to introduce the learner to sustainable and fair business structures and practices in the hospitality industry. It will further develop the skills and attributes necessary for creative, perceptive, collaborative and equitable leadership in an interconnected and diverse global business world.

  • Hospitality Cost Control

    Credits: 5

    This module will introduce the theory and application of the control cycle, cost classification systems and accounting-based pricing methods in the context of hospitality and tourism.

  • Work Based Learning

    Credits: 5

    The placement aims to introduce the learner to structured employment at the operational and supervisory levels in the licensed trade sector and for the learner to develop an understanding of the organisation and its procedures.

  • Food Safety and Environmental Management

    Credits: 5

    This module will serve as a framework in which learners can acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be competent in and to assure the provision of safe food whilst also promoting shared responsibility for the production, supply and consumption of nutritious food.

  • Contemporary Restaurant and A la Carte Cooking

    Credits: 5

    This Module will reinforce cooking fundamentals, ratios, and formulas from year one. Learners will further develop their ability to organise an assigned station based on preparation methods while focusing on the production of menu items, plate presentations, and cooking techniques as applied to specific cuisines in a professional kitchen environment.

  • Enhanced Tarts, Desserts & Gateau

    Credits: 5

    This pastry, tarts, desserts and gateaux-focused module will build on the knowledge and experience gained in previous modules and be conducted with the use of teamwork in a learner-friendly setting. Specialised bakery and pastry equipment and apparatus will be utilised to allow the learners to produce a variety of tarts, desserts and gateaux.

  • Modern Gastronomy

    Credits: 5

    This module will introduce students to modern gastronomy and explore the key issues shaping the Irish food and beverage sectors.

  • Food & Beverage Selling Skills

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces learners to the concepts and skills of professional selling; and builds commercial acumen and an awareness of selling opportunities for food and beverage products.

  • Hospitality Management Accounting

    Credits: 5

    This module builds on hospitality cost control in year 1 and presents the accounting cycle and related theory in the context of tourism and hospitality.

  • Global Cuisine

    Credits: 5

    The learners while working in groups of two or three will be allowed to research, prepare, taste, serve and evaluate ethnic dishes from a select number of countries from around the world.

  • Enhanced Pastry, Bread and Confectionery

    Credits: 5

    This pastry, bread and confection-focused module will build on the knowledge and experience gained in previous modules and be conducted with the use of teamwork in a learner-friendly setting.

  • Volume and Modern Banquet Production Cookery

    Credits: 5

    Following on from Contemporary Restaurant and A la Carte Cooking in semester on. Learners will prepare a menu during each practical session, following the principles and techniques associated with preparing and serving food to large groups.

  • Classical and Contemporary Cuisine

    Credits: 10

    This module is designed to enable learners to develop specialist expertise and creative ability in the areas of classical and contemporary cuisine. It will enable the learner to compare and contrast classical and contemporary styles of food production and analyse the current trends within the culinary environment.

  • Hospitality Management Accounting

    Credits: 5

    Building on the learners’ prior experience of accounting, this module introduces and develops an understanding of the nature, function and application of management accounting to tourism and hospitality.

  • Talent Acquisition and Development

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide learners with a comprehensive knowledge of the function and scope of talent management and its role in driving the success of the organisation with particular reference to the international hospitality industry.

  • Hospitality Marketing

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to introduce the learner to the principles, concepts and language of marketing in the context of the international hospitality business sector. Learners will explore hospitality marketing trends and digital opportunities within a wider societal context.

  • Tourism Management

    Credits: 5

    The module aims to introduce the key principles of tourism and to engage the students in the practical application of tourism theory within the various forms of tourism e.g. food, sport, cultural, wellness, and creative, at local, regional, national and international levels sustainably and competitively.

  • Environmental Management & Resource Efficiency

    Credits: 5

    This module seeks to introduce the learner to the contribution of the hospitality and tourism industry to the global movement for sustainable environmental development. It presents the business case for environmental best practices and further identifies the value of hotel sustainability and innovative leadership.

  • Advanced Pastry Art and Design

    Credits: 5

    This module enables the learner to develop artistic pastry concepts suitable for a high-end culinary enterprise. Learners are encouraged to research new and innovative techniques associated with advanced pastry art and design, environmental sustainability and frugality. Learners are encouraged to prepare for national and international pastry competitions.

  • Culinary Innovation and Botanical Cuisine

    Credits: 5

    This module is designed to allow learners to enhance and refine their culinary skills, to demonstrate specialist expertise and creative ability in the areas of modernist and botanical cuisine.

  • Advanced Pastry Innovation and Commercialisation

    Credits: 5

    This module allows the learner to develop pastry concepts suitable for a modern culinary enterprise. Advanced preparations of Irish and international pastry, bakery and confectionery products are explored, enhanced and adapted to meet the needs of the current market.

  • Applied Culinary Nutrition

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to help learners understand the principles of nutrition and apply them to maintain a healthy and balanced diet while also learning practical skills for selecting and preparing healthy meals. It emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility for producing, supplying, and consuming safe and nutritious food while ensuring that the industry remains viable and protects our natural environment.

  • Food Product Development

    Credits: 10

    This module aims to develop knowledge of the concepts, theories, and practices of the product development process and to critically apply these principles in the development of new food products.

  • Advanced Culinary Techniques in Fermentation and Preservation

    Credits: 5

    This module is designed to allow learners to enhance and refine their culinary skills, in particular, to demonstrate specialist expertise and creative ability in culinary fermentation and preservation.

  • Digital Transformation in Service Businesses

    Credits: 5

    Digital Transformation (DX) provides the learner with the platform to investigate how advancements in digital technologies, (cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and others) are disrupting organisations and professions in the service business sector.

  • Product Innovation and Applied Microbiology

    Credits: 5

    This module is the first of a two-part module on Product Optimisation and Innovation that will synthesise the theoretical concepts and practical procedures from prototyping to the development of an innovative food product.

  • Research Methods Proposal

    Credits: 5

    The Research Methods Proposal module aims to help students to develop an understanding of the research process and to execute business research tasks. It enables students to conduct research independently and also provides them with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to develop their proposal for their research project.

  • Current Issues in Culinary Arts

    Credits: 10

    This module will introduce students to the latest research, issues and trends in culinary arts and the food industry. The module aims to develop in students a critical understanding of current food-related research relevant to culinary entrepreneurship and to provide a practical experience of learning in a seminar setting.

  • Enterprise Development

    Credits: 10

    This module will develop the learners’ research capabilities, enterprise skills, knowledge and aptitude to support effective enterprise development having regard to current international trends within the sector and the wider community. It will incorporate innovation and idea generation; business development; financial planning and the support mechanisms available for the food and beverage entrepreneur at both national and international levels.

  • Product Optimisation and Innovation

    Credits: 5

    This module is the second of a two-part module on product optimisation and innovation that will synthesise the theoretical concepts and practical procedures associated with food product development from prototyping to commercialisation of an innovative food product.

  • Food Marketing

    Credits: 10

    Building on and complementing the students’ prototype development in Product Optimisation and Innovation, this module will develop students’ understanding of the theory, concepts and methods of the marketing and commercialisation of food products.

  • Culinary Entrepreneurship Placement

    Credits: 10

    This module allows students to apply the critical and analytical skills they have acquired in the classroom in the workplace. The learner is required to complete a placement with a host organisation, which will be monitored and facilitated by TUS staff. A mentor will be assigned in the workplace and learners will be matched with high-quality food production establishments.

  • Business Research Project

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to further develop the student’s knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct research. The module further seeks to inform students of the application of research methodology to the critical analysis and understanding of good research practices. Students will apply their knowledge of the research methodology and practice to their final-year research project.

What can you do after this programme?

Graduates of this course will likely work in:

  • New food product development
  • Food marketing and retail
  • Culinary arts
  • Contract catering

Past graduates of this programme have secured employment in such roles, i.e. Quality Manager, Rudd’s Foods Ltd., Co. Offaly, Specifications Technologist, Mr. Crumb Ltd., Co. Longford, Process Improvements Technical, O’Brien’s Fine Foods Ltd., Co. Kildare and Technical Manager, Kingsgate Investment, Kepak Group, Co. Meath.

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.

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