Food Entrepreneur

Program Description

Food entrepreneurs combine culinary and business skills to bring their product or services to market, and have diverse operations such as food trucks, cafes, catering, pop-up shops, and meal preparation services. The food entrepreneur is responsible for product development, marketing their brand, meeting food safety regulations, and managing costs and finances. They often focus on niche or specialty products and services, and may be a cottage food business. 

This certificate provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential skills needed to begin planning and operating their own food business. The courses focus on real-world applications, introducing students to key topics such as menu planning, pricing and cost control, purchasing, basic operational plans, marketing, and food safety. Students will learn regulatory requirements and logistical considerations involved in launching and operating a food venture.  

Students entering this program should have strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills. Basic math and financial skills are recommended.  

This course prepares students for entry‑level roles or entrepreneurial ventures in catering, food trucks, pop‑up restaurants, small food businesses, and other emerging food service operations. The food industry offers numerous opportunities for individuals to start their own businesses in various ways and pursue career advancement. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/. 

Program Objectives/Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to: 

1. Apply food safety principles and regulatory requirements to ensure the safe and lawful production and sale of food items;  

2. Develop and present a simple business plan for a food business or concept;  

3. Apply marketing and promotional strategies to position and promote food products or services effectively; 

4. Create an operational plan that includes production processes, purchasing, staffing, distribution, and workflow logistics for a food venture;  

5. Analyze costs, revenue streams, and financial risks to develop basic budgets, break-even analyses, and pricing strategies; and 

6. Demonstrate entrepreneurial skills such as idea testing, decision making, and problem solving through participation in an individual coaching session.  

CCBC Pathway & Track

Business Pathway- Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential: Students will receive a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

External Credential: ServSafe® Manager Certification.

Certifying Organizations: National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (https://www.restaurant.org); ServSafe® (https://www.servsafe.com). 

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students.  Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program. 

Program Length

Length of Training: 1 or 2 months

Total Program Hours: 46 hours

Instructional Modality(ies): In-person, online, and remote

Program Requirements

Recommended high school diploma or GED.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

Additional Information

Related Courses or Programs: Professional Bartending and Mixology, Catering Professional, Food Service Manager

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA.  Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

Coordinator: Yumi Kim | ykim2@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-5840 | Owings Mills 305D

Program Assistant: Kristal Parker | kparker3@ccbcmd.edu ​| 443-840-4483 | Owings Mills 302 ​​​​