LEWISTON – Lewiston Adult Education’s latest career-readiness program, the culinary arts certificate, will return this fall.

The program gives area residents the opportunity to learn about and gain practical experience in the many aspects of restaurant work. Participants will complete the program prepared for entry-level work in a restaurant or catering business.

Because the training is so complete, culinary arts students frequently have job offers before they even finish the course.

Even in late summer and fall, there is a high demand for qualified cooks in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

The comprehensive training provides hands-on experience in broil, breakfast, meat, fry, sauté, seafood and starch cookery, as well as in baking and pastry-making.

Participants in the program also practice the business aspects of the food service industry. They will gain experience in writing menus, managing food costs and participating in ordering procedures.

The students operate the Green Ladle, a catering business housed in the new, state-of-the-art LRTC Green Ladle Culinary Arts Building. Students will work catering functions throughout the semester to practice and perfect their new skills and experience all aspects of the restaurant business.

The Culinary Arts Certificate Program will meet from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Sept. 2 and running 15 weeks. The fee is $300, plus a $125 lab fee. However, the work program participants catering private functions will be compensated.

For more information on this and other Lewiston Adult Education programs, visit www.lewistonadulted.org or call 795-4141.