A Range Of Options
If you want to go to culinary school, you may want to explore the variety of options that are available. Some of the most respected (and also most expensive) training grounds are schools that are dedicated to cooking and food, like The Culinary Institute of America and The Institute of Culinary Education. Some vocational schools, such as The Art Institutes, also offer culinary tracks that will prepare you to work in this field. Or, you can also choose to earn a culinary degree from some of the more traditional colleges and universities that offer a strong focus in this area but also expose you to a wider range of core classes, so you will be well-rounded when you graduate and have experience you can apply beyond the culinary world.
What To Look For
When selecting a culinary school, a lot depends on what you want, since there are many scenarios from which to select. The length of time of the program, the type of degree or certificate you will earn and how often you want to attend should all come into play when choosing the best fit. You should also consider the reputation of any school you attend, and the value of its degree out in the working world. If you aren’t sure if you want to spend the rest of your life cooking but know you enjoy the hospitality field, you might consider getting an undergraduate or graduate degree in areas like food sciences, hospitality management or food chemistry or research.
Signs Of A Good School
Beyond these factors, you also want to look for a school that is accredited by an appropriate regulating agency. In general, regular colleges and universities fall under the auspices of regional accrediting bodies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Cooking schools, on the other hand, are monitored by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) and the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
It is also worth noting that some schools follow the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu program, but this is just a system of teaching and there is no monitoring in place at this time to insure that the school follow the protocol or meet any specific standards.
Finally, one of the best indications of a good school is when the graduates of its program are working at highly-desirable jobs. Therefore, ask about a school’s job placement record and find out more specifically where its alumni are working today.