Farm-to-table food preparation
Farm-to-table food preparation
Why Choose The Sustainable Chef?
- 5-Week In-Person Course – Fast-track your skills in an immersive, practical format.
- Train with Experts – Learn in partnership with Fork Food Lab and other leaders in Maine’s food system.
- Cook with Impact – Explore regenerative agriculture, food equity, and climate-conscious cooking.
- Local, Affordable Education – Just $375 per credit. No application fee. No fluff—just real-world experience.
- Flexible Pathways – Build toward a culinary career, food entrepreneurship, or sustainable living.
Career Outlook
Earn Your Degree. Unlock New Opportunities.
$ 60
,990
Average Annual Salary for Chefs & Head Cooks
Average Annual Salary for Chefs & Head Cooks
8
%
Projected growth for employment of chefs and head cooks (2033)
Projected growth for employment of chefs and head cooks (2033)
What You’ll Learn
Sustainable ingredient sourcing
Sustainable ingredient sourcing
Culinary fundamentals
Culinary fundamentals
Food systems innovation
Food systems innovation
Seasonal menu planning
Seasonal menu planning
Zero-waste kitchen practices
Zero-waste kitchen practices
What You’ll Learn in The Sustainable Chef Program
From wild foraging to zero-waste culinary arts, this hands-on program blends sustainability, science, and artistry to prepare you for the kitchen—and the climate-conscious world.
Core Themes You’ll Explore:
- Farm-to-Table Culinary Foundations Master classic techniques with a focus on seasonal, local, and ethical ingredients.
- Sustainable Food Systems Understand the environmental and social impact of what we grow, cook, and eat.
- Plant-Based & Alternative Proteins Innovate with flavors and formats that meet the future of food.
- Culinary Innovation & Zero Waste Practices Learn to lead with creative, planet-friendly approaches in professional kitchens.
- Foraging & Wild Foods Take your learning outdoors with guided wild harvesting and preservation labs.
Make It Your Own:
Customize your experience with electives in fermentation, global food cultures, herbal medicine, or food business and entrepreneurship.
Capstone Experience:
Put your skills to work in a community-based food project or sustainable restaurant internship
More Information about The Sustainable Chef
- Fork Food Lab – Portland, ME
- Unity at Pineland Campus – New Gloucester, ME
Learn in professional kitchens, on working farmland, and in a community of purpose-driven peers.
- Aspiring chefs & culinary professionals
- Career changers passionate about food
- Farmers, homesteaders & food entrepreneurs
- Recent high school grads seeking alternatives to traditional college
- Anyone hungry to lead in Maine’s evolving food economy
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Credits: 3 (One 3-credit course = $1,125 total)
- Format: In-person, experiential learning
- Start Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
- Cost: $375 per credit, financial support options available
Why Unity at Pineland?
Environmental and sustainability-oriented programs provide the education and experience to launch your career.
Career-Focused
Applied learning modeled around real world scenarios.
Flexible Learning Options
Work with dedicated instructors on-location or online.
Real-World Applications
Master ecosystem processes and human-environment interactions that address environmental problems.
