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CULINARY ARTS & HOSPITALITY | DEGREES
ONLINE AND CAMPUS

The Complete Culinary School Guide.
An Extensive Look at Culinary Schools & Careers Including Cooking, Pastry, Management & Wine

This present day economy requires a workforce that’s capable, competent and educated. This is why holders of post-secondary degrees or degrees in certificate programs are in high demand by a great number of occupations. Research carried out by the Center for Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University estimated that about two-thirds of jobs in the U.S will require a form of post-secondary education by 2018.

These Schools offer CULINARY ARTS

Best Culinary Schools and Programs: 2017-2018

There are many options for culinary students to choose from for the right program and school. Through extensive research, we have compiled and ranked the best online and on-campus culinary programs based on our criteria. You can learn about the best culinary programs and schools for 2017-2018 here.

Look For Culinary Programs Near You

Many chefs have become successful in the culinary field by the experience they have garnered over the years, but this is not always enough as culinary schools have a role to play in providing a strong footing through theoretical and practical classes. Trade schools, community colleges and other colleges and universities offer culinary degree programs. Intending students should compare their academic needs and desired goals to choose the type of education and degree they will need.

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Culinary Degrees & Various Program Choices

Students interested in specializing in certain fields will find subject areas to major in, which will give them the skills needed to get specific job positions and stand out in their chosen fields. Explore the following culinary program options to learn more.

  • Cooking- Those working in the kitchen are taught how to maintain product and ingredients, track portion sizes, work on different aspects of the menu, etc. They also manage other areas of the kitchen and food prep area. Read More
  • Pastry Students learning about the art of baking and pastry making will learn about cooking desserts and other menu items in this arena. Read More
  • Restaurant Management Staff within a restaurant will learn under management. The management also manages business aspects of running the restaurant and even steps in to help when things get busy. Read More
  • Hospitality Management Hospitality management has to do with managing all aspects of resorts and hotel. It can encompass everything from front desk responsibilities to kitchen to cleaning and housekeeping. Students can often work their way up into managing departments or hotels/resorts. Read More
  • Wine Steward & Sommelier This helps the audience pair a good beverage with what they are eating. Students learn about wine and how it is made as well as brewing companies and breweries. Read More

Interview with an industry professional?

  • How did you know you wanted to become a chef?
    I learned how to cook watching my grandmothers, mom and dad and so I took interest in cooking as a profession.  When I was younger I would put together dinner parties and cook for others and even earned money. It was then, I knew I could make a living off of this.
  • How did you decide where you wanted to go to school?
    I made the decision after I explored the options of school available to me, guided by my high school culinary instructor. The school I choose had a reputation as a top 10 program in the nation. It was close to home but far away for me to gain the skills I needed to become independent.
  • What was your favorite part about culinary school?
    The best parts were the instructors I had and the freedom to be creative with ingredients I may have not had access to had I gone elsewhere. Our school ensured that we had everything we needed and if they didn’t have something they made it a priority to get that replaced right away. Their dedication to our success and creativity was crucial.
  • What was the hardest part of culinary school?
    The best learning lesson in culinary school is basically a life truth; you get what you put in which is a hard lesson to be learned. Students who put in their best; read through their books, participated in schoolwork, participated in class and practical activities had a positive experience in culinary school. I effectively doubled my learning time by working as a teaching assistant and a cook in the school’s top restaurant.
  • How did culinary school get you ready for the real world?
    Going to a culinary school does not automatically land you chef jobs and the usual juicy offers like many people assume (I’ve also assumed wrongly in times past). What a culinary school does for you is that it gives us as students, a solid foundation to prepare for jobs in the culinary and hospitality industry. We learned many valuable skills about all aspects of cooking and being in and managing a kitchen. Asides the recipes and skills I was equipped with, I had a fundamental understanding of opening and managing a restaurant and some idea of hospitality management.
  • What would your advice be for a potential student looking at culinary field? Being a chef involves many hours in the kitchen, under not-so-good working conditions with low pay.. What you put in is what you get, so put in your very best by reading all the cookbooks you can find. Be on the lookout for new cuisine; take advantage of opportunities to travel to new places, work in various places, and focus on networking opportunities. Networking will give you an edge and provide a platform to give your career a boost when the time comes. Let your culinary network be wide enough to incorporate cooks, housekeeping, washers, suppliers and managers.