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What is Culinary School?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A culinary school is a professional school which offers training specifically in the culinary arts. There are a number of different types of culinary schools all over the world with curricula ranging from traditional French cooking to raw foods. Going to culinary school is one way to become a chef, and it will certainly increase the potential employability of someone who would like to pursue a career in professional kitchens.

In culinary schools, students study a wide range of topics. A student can attend a general program, picking up a great deal of topical knowledge, or a student can choose to focus on a particular aspect of cooking. Common topics covered in culinary school include baking, catering, desserts, handling and choosing fresh meats and vegetables, ethnic cuisines, and restaurant management. A graduate of a cooking school is expected to be able to perform in a professional kitchen successfully, and many cooking schools offer chef placement services to assist their graduates.

Culinary students sometimes work in event catering.
Culinary students sometimes work in event catering.

A student may choose to focus on a particular skill in culinary school, such as patisserie, the art of baking French style pastries. A pastry chef learns the nuances of the art of baking, and is able to produce things like cookies, pies, tarts, breads, and an assortment of other sweet and savory pastries. Another student might choose to focus more on the restaurant management end of culinary school, with the end goal of supervising a kitchen or working in another branch of the hospitality industry. Others might want a strong education in ethnic and fusion cuisine.

Going to a culinary school can lead to a career as a chef.
Going to a culinary school can lead to a career as a chef.

Going to culinary school can get expensive. Some schools offer financial assistance, but students also need to be prepared to purchase an assortment of equipment to work with. In most cases, a culinary school takes the form of an intensive program, in which students focus on the culinary arts for one to two years. While in school, the students may work in the school's demonstration kitchen, cooking for the public, and they may also handle event catering and other entertainments as part of their training.

Graduates of culinary school may focus on specific types of food, such as baked goods.
Graduates of culinary school may focus on specific types of food, such as baked goods.

When choosing a culinary school, students should think about their end goals. If a student thinks that he or she wants to specialize in baking, for example, a school with a strong baking program should be selected. Students who want to be managers might want to attend a restaurant management program. Other considerations are the cost and location of the school, along with assistance provided to students. Some culinary schools offer grants, loans, and housing, while others expect students to make their own way. Finally, visiting the school and talking to current students and graduates is recommended. Do not be afraid to ask about where graduates are working, and whether or not the school offers chef placement.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

CulinaryArt

Culinary schools provide affordable culinary education of culinary art. In these schools students are provided the financial aid to pay the fees. The total fee depends on type of program, class, and degree. Various degree and certification programs are provided in several culinary disciplines.

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    • Culinary students sometimes work in event catering.
      By: uwimages
      Culinary students sometimes work in event catering.
    • Going to a culinary school can lead to a career as a chef.
      By: goodluz
      Going to a culinary school can lead to a career as a chef.
    • Graduates of culinary school may focus on specific types of food, such as baked goods.
      By: Tesgro Tessieri
      Graduates of culinary school may focus on specific types of food, such as baked goods.
    • Culinary schools teach the proper use of a variety of utensils.
      By: Silvano Rebai
      Culinary schools teach the proper use of a variety of utensils.
    • In culinary school, students often learn how to create customized menus and a signature dish.
      By: stockyimages
      In culinary school, students often learn how to create customized menus and a signature dish.