Tips for Choosing the Right Culinary Arts College

The Culinary Institute of America in New York. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

People interested in pursuing a career in cooking will need to attend a culinary arts program. These programs can often be found at culinary arts colleges; however, in some instances, they may be found at vocational schools. Some people believe that real-life experience is what makes a person succeed in a culinary arts career, and while this experience is very valuable, there is no underestimating the value of a formal education. When choosing a culinary arts program to attend, it is important to keep the following in mind:

Tip #1: Make Sure the Program is Accredited

It is extremely important to attend a culinary arts program from a school that is accredited. For the most part, schools are evaluated based on their student-teacher ratios, program curriculum and much more. By graduating from an accredited program, graduates can rest assured their degrees will be recognized by employers in the real-world.

Tip #2: Program Cost

Culinary arts schools vary in the cost of their programs. Some schools may charge $20,000 for a two year program while others may charge $35,000 or more. Almost all accredited schools accept financial aid; however, if a student obtains student loans, it is imperative to remember that the borrowed funds will have to be paid back. If students are able to pay for all or most of their schooling-expenses with financial grants, this is the best thing to do because grants do not have to be paid back.

Tip #3: Age of Facility

It is important to attend a culinary arts school that has modern cooking equipment. In doing so, students can be adequately prepared to work in restaurants that use state-of-the art equipment; this helps graduates qualify for jobs at facilities that offer competitive pay.

Tip #4: Hands-on Training

The No. 1 thing to look for when searching for colleges for culinary arts is whether or not they provide hands-on training. This type of training is valuable because it lets students learn the ins-and-outs of the culinary arts by preparing food and beverage items themselves. A good culinary arts school will have some type of student-operated cafe or restaurant, allowing the students to gain hands-on experience while they earn a degree. In addition to providing hands-on training, a good culinary arts program will encourage students to take part in internships. In fact, some of them may even mandate it.

Author Bio: This article is contributed by Zac Parker. In this article the author has shared the important tips for choosing the best culinary & cooking college. Follow him for more updates on culinary education and career.