Before you can begin a career in food preparation and service, you will want to take a deep dive into the culinary arts. The culinary arts refer to the techniques and practices required to prepare, cook, present, and serve food, and those interested in this field should consider earning a culinary arts diploma from a qualified culinary school.
As you begin to explore your options and learn more about this dynamic and creative field, you should evaluate the different schools that you are considering. These are the questions you should ask when choosing a culinary school:
What Is Culinary School?
Culinary school is defined by Indeed as a higher education institution that offers a degree or diploma program in the culinary arts, with the intention of preparing students for a career in the food and beverage service industry or the hospitality industry. There are various types of culinary schools, including:
- Culinary Institutes – These are specialized educational facilities that solely focus on culinary arts training. Students who enroll at culinary institutes will earn a degree or diploma by completing coursework that focuses on cooking techniques, food presentation techniques, and service etiquette. In some cases, specialized programs are available, such as baking and pastry arts programs or culinary management programs.
- Community Colleges – Community colleges are educational facilities that offer a wide range of educational and vocational programs, with many offering culinary arts degree programs. Community colleges are often known for their affordable pricing structure.
- Technical or Vocational Colleges – Focusing primarily on skills-based industries, technical and vocational colleges often offer hands-on culinary arts diploma programs, giving students the opportunity to earn the skills required to obtain entry-level positions in the food and service industry.
How Long Is Culinary School?
So, how long is culinary school, exactly? The amount of time that you spend in culinary school will vary based on the program that you choose and the pace that you set for your coursework. You may be able to earn a diploma within a year, while a bachelor’s degree program in culinary arts may take up to four years to complete.
Is Culinary School Worth It?
So, is culinary school worth it? To cut to the chase, investing your time and resources in a culinary school program is well worth it, especially if you want to pursue a career in the food and service industry or the hospitality sector.
By opting for a hands-on, skills-based diploma program, you can develop the practical and technical skills needed to begin working in the culinary arts as soon as possible. Diploma programs are shorter in duration, with most students completing the required credit hours within 12 months, and they are more affordable than degree programs. When you make the strategic choice to invest in a culinary school that offers a culinary arts diploma program, you will be able to minimize your initial investment while maximizing the results.
To progress in the field of culinary arts, you will need to combine your technical and educational training with professional experience, making skills-based programs your path to an entry-level position the best possible choice for your career.
Curriculum and Learning
As you compare different culinary school programs, you will want to narrow your focus on the curriculum for each program as well as the learning outcomes that are typically achieved. Understanding the differences in the curriculum and choosing one that matches your personal interests in culinary arts will help you select the right program for you.
For example, at a four-year university, a culinary arts degree program will include a wide range of course requirements, including general education classes that will not necessarily pertain to a career in the culinary arts. At a vocational or technical college, on the other hand, the culinary arts diploma program will focus specifically on the practical and technical skills needed for entry-level positions in the culinary arts. All coursework will be focused on related topics, such as the presentation of baking products, how to safely prepare and cook meats, or how to utilize sauces in a way that brings out the natural flavors of the meal.
What Do You Learn in Culinary School?
Culinary schools offer programs designed to provide students with the industry-specific training that they need to pursue a career in the food service or hospitality industry. These are some of the things that you will learn when you enroll in a culinary arts diploma program at a culinary school:
- Culinary Arts Terminology – While most culinary arts programs emphasize hands-on training to develop culinary skills, these programs also provide a comprehensive education that prepares students to succeed in the industry. Students in a culinary arts program will learn industry-specific terminology, allowing them to effectively navigate any workplace environment with ease.
- Cookery Types – Culinary school programs provide an overview of the different types of cookery in the industry, including butchery, meat and seafood cookery, baking and pastry arts, sauce making, and more.
- Kitchen Skills – Through hands-on training, culinary arts students can develop vital kitchen skills using the most common tools and utensils in the industry. There is often an emphasis on developing expert knife skills, allowing students to learn how to use various cooking knives as safely and quickly as possible.
- Plating – Recognizing that they are doing more than just preparing a meal for anyone to eat, culinary arts students will also learn the art of presentation and plating. They practice preparing meals and artfully designing the plates so that diners can enjoy a true culinary experience.
- Kitchen Etiquette – Culinary diploma programs also provide an overview of etiquette to use when working in a kitchen. Students graduate from these programs with an in-depth understanding of the natural hierarchy that exists in the food industry, which allows them to better adapt to their professional roles.
What Are Cooking Classes Called?
The specific cooking classes that you are required to complete as part of your culinary arts program will vary based on the culinary school that you choose to attend.
At Florida Technical College, students who enroll in our Culinary Arts Diploma program are required to complete the following courses:
- Basic Culinary Techniques
- Cuisine, Culture, and Kitchen Organization
- Introduction to Baking
- Sanitation and Allergens
- Meat, Fish, and Poultry Fabrication
- Garde Manger
- Food and Beverage Inventory/Cost Control with Math
- Restaurant Service
- International Cuisine
- Hospitality Supervision and Management
- Facility Menu Planning, Nutrition, and Development
- Culinary Catering Capstone
Within all of these courses, students enjoy hands-on training opportunities as well as interactive and immersive lessons, giving them a strong foundation upon which they can build their culinary careers.
Practical Considerations
When you begin your search for the right culinary school, it’s only natural to focus on the curriculum that is offered and the learning outcomes that are often achieved. You also have to consider practical considerations, such as the proximity of the school or your ability to balance coursework with other existing responsibilities and obligations.
These are the top practical considerations to keep in mind as you look into the best culinary schools:
- The location of the school – If the school you are choosing requires you to complete in-person courses or a local externship, then you will want to select a culinary school within close proximity to your home.
- The duration of the program – Knowing how many courses need to be completed and how long the program will take will help you determine if you can effectively balance the coursework along with your current responsibilities.
- The cost of the program – No matter which program you choose, you will find that a culinary arts education requires a financial investment. However, it’s important to make sure that you are making an investment in a program that emphasizes skill development and prepares you for a career in the culinary arts.
- The program’s credentials – It’s essential to select an accredited culinary arts program, as accreditation provides top employers with proof that you received a relevant, valuable education rooted in the best culinary arts techniques and practices.
Can You Do Culinary School Online?
When you do a quick search of “can you do culinary school online?” you’ll find that there are several culinary schools that offer online programming, though most culinary schools do take a hybrid approach to online learning. Due to the nature of the food industry and the hospitality industry, it would be impossible to complete all courses and training online. Therefore, most culinary schools will offer some online coursework as part of their curriculum as well as hands-on training opportunities.
For instance, at Florida Technical College, our culinary arts students are required to complete an externship as part of their diploma program, giving them an opportunity to immerse themselves in a physical working environment as they develop the skills needed for any type of culinary arts career.
Does FAFSA Cover Culinary School?
Across the country, college students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) for financing options for their education, if they qualify..
Enjoy Hands-On Culinary Training at Florida Technical College
At Florida Technical College, we offer a Culinary Arts diploma that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue entry-level positions in the food and beverage service industry. Through hands-on training, students will become familiar with the best cooking and presentation techniques for meat, baked goods, and sauces, and they also will become well-versed in the best food preparation and safety techniques for the industry. Our program requires students to complete 71 credit hours, and most students are able to complete this diploma program within 12 months.
Request more information about our skills-based programs today.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
Sources
https://ftccollege.edu/program/diploma/culinary-arts-diploma-english/
https://ftccollege.edu/hospitality-blog/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-culinary-school/
https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/culinary-arts
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/should-i-go-to-culinary-school
https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/student/cost-of-culinary-school
