Checklist for Finding the Best Culinary School
If you’ve decided to become a top chef, you may be interested in learning more about the proper steps to achieve your goal. There are few different schools of thought on how you can become a successful chef.
Some of the best chefs in the US have steadily risen through the ranks of the restaurant industry with nothing but grit, determination and on-the-job experience. Due to the huge popularity of the celebrated cooking shows like “Top Chef,” today there is heightened interest in a formal culinary arts education. More chefs than ever before can now boast of a culinary arts degree from top culinary schools.
So, where does all this leave you? To become one of the best chef, many restaurant managers and owners will tell that it requires a combination of a degree from a good culinary arts school and a hands-on real world experience.
What’s the best way to choose a culinary arts school?
If you want to pursue a culinary arts degree, you should consider number of important items. In order to find the best culinary schools in your area, you should first create a checklist and do some investigative work. Taking time to do some research to find the best school for you is the first crucial step to becoming a top chef.
Look for ACF Accreditation
Some of the best culinary schools and colleges in US are accredited by ACF (American Culinary Federation), so the first thing you should do is to narrow your search by looking for schools in your area that carry this important seal of approval. Among various other things, an ACF accreditation also guarantees that the school does not exceed certain student-faculty ratio, hires only certified faculty and abides by the curriculum and predetermined facility standards.
Search for Real World Experience
The best culinary schools offer a real food service experienced as a part of their extensive culinary arts curriculum. When researching on various culinary arts schools, shortlist the ones that offer you various student-operated restaurants. You should visit those facilities and talk to the students who are working there. Are they enjoying their work? What kinds of facilities are being offered to them? Do they feel the real life pressures of working in any quality restaurant? If answer to this question is yes, you’re on the right track in your culinary college search.
Find Affordable Culinary Schools
Despite what you’ve heard, a culinary arts education is not that expensive and you can easily afford it. There are many ACF-accredited culinary college programs that are very affordable. As you might get low salaries in the beginning of your culinary career, it’s important that you enter the workforce without a huge student loan debt.
Consider the Facility
When researching on best culinary schools and colleges, you should closely look at the actual program facilities. Many ACF-accredited culinary programs have been around since long and may be housed in older facilities. While their kitchens may not boast of shiniest and newest equipment, these schools have many other exciting features to consider. They also have a large group of alumni that will be happy to help you as you work your way to achieve all your career goals.
Cooking Schools
- Culinary Institute of America
Helena, CA CIA
- Columbus Culinary Institute
Columbus, OH CCI
- New School of Cooking
Culver City, CA NSC
- Ursula's Cooking School
Atlanta, GA UCS
- Natural Gourmet Institute
New York, NY NGI
