Culinary Arts Schools in the U.S.

• What is covered at culinary arts school?
• What degrees are available at culinary arts school?
• How much do culinary arts programs cost?
• What career skills are essential for culinary arts students?
• What careers options are available for culinary arts grads?
• What are the top culinary cities around the country?
• What are the average salaries of culinary arts grads?
• Is culinary arts school really necessary?

What Is Covered at Culinary Arts School?

Culinary arts school covers a wide variety of food-related subjects, from pastry and baking techniques to restaurant management. Whether you want to be a chef, restaurant owner, food writer, or foodservice manager, culinary arts school can teach you the ins and outs of food preparation and management. Programs generally include a combination of hands-on experience and classroom learning. By graduation, culinary arts students understand the technical and business side of food preparation.

What Degrees Are Available at Culinary Arts School?

Culinary arts students may choose to pursue either an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or certificate depending on their career goals. Bachelor's degrees generally require four years of full-time study, whereas associate's degrees cover less material and can be completed in two years. The most common bachelor's and associate's degree programs include culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and hospitality and restaurant management. Certificate programs can usually be completed in under a year and hone students' expertise in a certain subject area, such as beverage pairing or basic culinary skills.

How Much Do Culinary Arts Programs Cost?

Like any post-secondary training, a culinary arts education is an investment. While the exact tuition varies by school, you can expect to pay between $12,000 and $16,000 per semester on tuition, supplies, board, and fees. Before you panic, it's worth noting that schools offer a variety of financial aid options including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study to help finance your education.

What Career Skills Are Essential for Culinary Arts Students?

First and foremost, culinary arts students must have a strong desire to develop their skills through practice, practice, practice. Some coordination and multi-tasking skills come in handy when preparing multiple dishes, and a sharp sense of taste and smell can help students develop their palate. To succeed in the restaurant business after graduation, students must also develop strong leadership and communication skills.

What Career Options Are Available for Culinary Arts Graduates?

Depending on their field of concentration, culinary arts graduates may launch a career as a head chef, pastry chef, food service manager, restaurateur, food writer, or other food-industry professional. Organizations like hospitals, schools, and large companies also hire culinary arts graduates to help with menu planning and on-site meal preparation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), full-service restaurants and traveler accommodations, like hotels and resorts, employ the largest numbers of professional chefs.

What Are the Top Culinary Cities around the Country?

For years, New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans dominated the fine dining scene in the United States, but recently other cities have expanded their food repertoire. Chicago, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles have developed a reputation for innovative cuisine, and top-notch restaurants are cropping up across the country. According to the BLS, New York is the highest paying state for chefs and head cooks.

What Are the Average Salaries of Culinary Arts Grads?

Salaries of culinary arts graduates vary by position and industry, but a 2000 survey by the Culinary Institute of America reported an average starting salary of $30,000 to $35,000 for its bachelor's degree graduates. Nationwide, restaurant line cooks in 2008 earned an average of $22,750, although salaries vary with experience, employer, and location. Graduates with bachelor's degrees often qualify for management track positions, which come with increased salaries. According to the BLS, in 2008 head chefs earned an average of $42,410 per year and food service managers earned $50,320.

Is Culinary Arts School Really Necessary?

Culinary arts school packs a wealth of experience and information into just a few years, allowing you to quickly gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the food industry. If you're serious about turning your passion for food into a career, the depth of a culinary arts school education is hard to beat.