AA Food, Wine, and Wellness Studies - Wine Studies and Enology Junior Sommelier

Program Description

AUF’s Associate of Arts Degree in Food, Wine, and Wellness Studies offers motivated students the possibility to join the food and wine industry through a program that emphasizes wellness and nutrition studies. Four program concentrations are available:
- Culinary Arts – Chef de Partie (WACS)
- Baking & Pastry – Chef de Partie
- Wine Studies and Enology - Junior Sommelier (WACS)
- Wellness, Health, and Nutrition

Program Objectives

The Food, Wine, and Wellness Studies program is designed to provide students with a complete educational experience in the field of gastronomy and wellness.
- Students will gain a solid knowledge of food, wine, and wellness topics from international and Italian perspectives.
- Coursework will broaden students’ knowledge of Italian gastronomy and nutrition, offering a rigorous focus on techniques, direct experience, and understanding of the Mediterranean identity of the curriculum.

General Education Requirements

All AA candidates are required to complete 21 gen ed credits in the areas of English Composition, Humanities, Mathematics, Physical and Biological Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Diversity and Intercultural Studies, and Italian language. Requirements vary according to the program. Some requirements are embedded in multiple courses, and certain programs may require additional credits to complete the associate-level program of study, as defined in the individual program curriculum.
Career Opportunities

Baking & Pastry – Chef De Partie: Pastry commis chef in high-end restaurants and hotels, demi-chef de partie in catering companies and commercial bakeries, pastry shop manager, recipe developer for small-medium pastry chains, pastry consultant, personal chef.

Career Opportunities

Wine Studies and Enology - Junior Sommelier: Wine expert, restaurant/wine bar/ wine store buyer and director, wine marketer, brand manager, vineyard and cellar assistant.

The second year of the program is recognized by WACS for the Junior Sommelier qualification level.