Western Iowa Tech Community College often
called WIT is a comprehensive community college
offering a large variety of Career and Technical
programs as well as Arts and Sciences transfer
programs.
Its main, 200-acre campus is located in Sioux
City, Iowa with branch campuses in
Denison and Cherokee as well as centers Le Mars and Mapleton.
The Culinary Arts Training Program is made
up of three distinct phases to train students
through a graduated approach.
The demonstration kitchen has many features that allow students to effectively learn the skills and procedures
for becoming a professional chef.
Five cameras located throughout the room allow
the instructor to show a broad picture of
the demonstration
or focus in on one specific area. Four 60-inch
flat screen monitors and stadium style seating
allow students to see the demonstrations from
anywhere in the room. There are also two 60-inch
monitors outside the classroom and a large observation window to allow visitors to watch
the demonstrations without disturbing the
class.
In phase two, these kitchens are the training ground of culinary arts. The theory lab,
so named because it allows students to put into practice the theory they have learned
with hands-on application. This lab is comprised of four stations,
each with its own set of
equipment to allow a students at each stations
to operate independently of other stations
and students. There are iPads at each station
to allow the chef instructor to send information
to individuals or all stations, whether it
is a procedural video or recipe to assist
students in their assignments. Phase two also
includes a state-of-the-art bakery kitchen.
Included in this magnificent room are mixers
for every student in the class with retractable,
drop down electrical cords, multiple surface
materials including stainless steel and wood,
rotating rack ovens, convection and deck ovens.
In phase three, the capstone and most elegant
part of our facilities include a 45-seat dining
room and production kitchen. The production
kitchen coupled with the dining room was designed
to simulate a real word restaurant training
experience. Students will create phenomenal
dishes and serve them to guests. Unique features
of this facility will be the beautiful brick
oven and floor to ceiling glass wall between
the dining room and the kitchen, allowing
guests to view students as they prepare their amazing recipes. This glass will can also
be turned on to make it opaque, giving students and the chef instructor some privacy from
the dining room when needed. Included in the production kitchen are 60-inch charbroiler,
10-burner range and rotisserie oven. Phase three will be used primarily by second-year students.
The Culinary field is looking bright with
projected growth in the Sioux City area to
be explosive. Students will have a wide variety
of opportunities to choose from when they
graduate, ranging from fine dining, college
dining, corporate dining, health care food
service, catering, event venues and more.
Every aspect of the market has its advantage
and students will be able to try out specific
facilities during their internships, which
are scheduled during the fourth and fifth
semesters of the program. Future salaries
vary widely depending on the field they enter.
While you are a student at Western Iowa Tech,
you will be issued a MacBook Air loaded with
software needed for your program. After graduation,
you'll have the opportunity to transfer ownership
of your laptop to you permanently. Because
the College owns the laptop while you are
a student, our IT help desk will be available
to assist you with questions and issues that
may arise. Our three dorm complexes offer
affordable and convenient on-campus housing
with all the amenities for nearly 500 students.
In addition to on-site, coinless laundry facilities,
your internet, cable television and utilities
are all included. Easy, well-lit, off street
parking and 24/7 security is in place to help
you keep you safe while you are here.
The Overlook Café and Coffee Spot has convenient
hours and location for students with space
to do homework, meet with friends or just
relax. The C-Store, located in Prairie Place
housing, provides an alternative to grab something
while on-the-go. If you're looking to get
involved, there are many clubs and organizations
you can join – intramural sports teams and
travel
opportunities, at home and abroad. Many other
student activities are scheduled throughout
the year to help students get together, have
fun and relax while attending Western Iowa Tech.
For more information visit www.witcc.edu.
