Apply to BCC Culinary Arts Certificate Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is accepting applications to its Culinary Arts certificate program, a seven-week apprenticeship program preparing students for careers in culinary arts.  

The Culinary Arts apprenticeship program combines instruction in the classroom and in the state-of-the-art teaching kitchen with professional work in the field. After seven weeks of foundational coursework, focusing on core culinary skills and knowledge, students will apply their knowledge and receive further practical training while already working professionally with BCC’s educational partners. 

"Graduating from the culinary program at BCC gave me the hands-on skills and confidence I needed to step straight into a professional kitchen. What made the program truly helpful was the practical, daily kitchen training and the one-on-one mentorship from Alexia, who taught us not just how to cook, but how to work efficiently under pressure," said graduate Owen Corbett. "The small class sizes meant I got real feedback on my knife skills, flavor pairings, and plating every single day. I also appreciated the local industry connections, which made it possible for me to balance my education with real-world work. I now feel fully prepared for my next steps in the culinary industry." 

Successful graduates, who earn the industry-recognized ServSafe Food Handler Certificate, will be job-ready for a wide range of food service employment opportunities, including school cafeterias, hospital kitchens, private households and restaurants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs and head cooks in Massachusetts earn a median hourly wage of $37.08 and an annual mean wage of $77,120. 

To apply to BCC, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/apply. For more information, email admissions@berkshirecc.edu.

 


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Companion Corner: Freya, Fudge & Charlotte

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — If looking for the perfect feline pet, why not triple the fun? There's a threesome at Berkshire Humane Society waiting for a family to call their own.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

We highlighted Freya, Charlotte and Fudge last month and they are still looking for their new home together. 

Kittens Fudge and Charlotte and their mother, Freya, have been at the shelter and in a foster home since April. All three have tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), often described as feline HIV/AIDS

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to them. 

"They originally were brought in from animal control. The conditions weren't the best in the home. But when they came in, they were tested positive for feline AIDS (FIV). We do send our kittens normally to foster programs to get socialized with the mom. So they got sent to a foster program for about two months to get socialized," she said.

The shelter preferably would like the three to as a family, and to a home with respectful children that will keep them inside.

"We would prefer if they could all go together, but they are a very sweet trio of kitties. They would have to be indoor only because of them being feline AIDS positive," Petell said. "It is OK for them to go into a home with other cats. We prefer if they go into a home with feline AIDS-positive cats, but even if they are negative for feline AIDS, as long as they're not actively scratching each other and biting each other to transmit it, then it should be OK."

Each cat has their own personality. The two kittens love to play with an abundance of toys; one is shy and the other is outgoing. They both like to curl up and sleep in your lap once they get to know you.

It turns out that Fudge is actually a girl. In our previous article, he was mistakenly identified as a boy. 

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