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what are the best colleges to study culinary arts?
#college #culinary
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Leah’s Answer
A few things to consider when looking for a culinary school. What your long term goal is? Do you need a full program or certificate? Do you need a speciality, does the school have the tools to teach for your long term goal.
I also feel like the style of teaching each school has is very important. Do they give you a realistic picture of what working will be? Is your breakfast class during breakfast hours? Is your dinner class during dinner hours?
Try to find a a school that gives you a realistic picture of the industry. You want to know if hat it feels like to work a dinner service or breakfast service to ensure you are in the right industry. So many people I went to culinary school are no longer in the industry due to not being able to sustain the life style or were not adequately prepared for this career long term.
I also feel like the style of teaching each school has is very important. Do they give you a realistic picture of what working will be? Is your breakfast class during breakfast hours? Is your dinner class during dinner hours?
Try to find a a school that gives you a realistic picture of the industry. You want to know if hat it feels like to work a dinner service or breakfast service to ensure you are in the right industry. So many people I went to culinary school are no longer in the industry due to not being able to sustain the life style or were not adequately prepared for this career long term.
Updated
Guy’s Answer
When someone tells me that they are planning to go to a Culinary Arts program I like to ask them what it is that they would like to accomplish. I was all set to take out student loans and to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY. I had my trip planned for September 14, 2001. Then 9/11 happened. My trip was canceled, and I never went. Instead, I had a great GM that I was working for at California Pizza Kitchen who got me into their Manager in Training program, the rest is history. I was able to get hands-on training, and get PAID while doing it. Since then I have been a FOH Manager, a Kitchen Manager, an Assistant General Manager, a General Manager, a Regional Director, Area Leader, Director of Operations and I am sure a few more roles that I'm forgetting about.
Long story short, before you sign up for a program, have an idea of what you want to do. Get into the industry and work in it. Put two years into a larger company that is growing or has excellent advancement opportunities. Ask about their advancement options during the interview.
Culinary School is a fantastic way to hone your culinary skills, but if you want to run your own restaurant, you need to really work in one to get the skills needed to open or run one.
My path isn't for everyone, but there are a lot of us who never went to Culinary School who have thriving careers in the hospitality industry.
With that said, most local community colleges have great programs and I would start there. Specialty Culinary schools charge an arm and a leg and don't have any real advantage for job placement.
Long story short, before you sign up for a program, have an idea of what you want to do. Get into the industry and work in it. Put two years into a larger company that is growing or has excellent advancement opportunities. Ask about their advancement options during the interview.
Culinary School is a fantastic way to hone your culinary skills, but if you want to run your own restaurant, you need to really work in one to get the skills needed to open or run one.
My path isn't for everyone, but there are a lot of us who never went to Culinary School who have thriving careers in the hospitality industry.
With that said, most local community colleges have great programs and I would start there. Specialty Culinary schools charge an arm and a leg and don't have any real advantage for job placement.
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi, Dashary!
A quick internet search produces the following lists: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-culinary-arts/, https://www.premiumschools.org/the-top-culinary-schools-in-america/, https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-culinary-art-degrees/, and https://www.collegerank.net/best-culinary-programs/.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the various schools listed, I'd encourage you to consider what you're looking for in a culinary arts school in regards to academic, social, career, and financial aspects. The BEST school will be the school that provides you with all that you're looking for. and perhaps more.
Wishing you the best in your educational and career endeavors! It sounds like you have an interesting journey ahead!
A quick internet search produces the following lists: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-culinary-arts/, https://www.premiumschools.org/the-top-culinary-schools-in-america/, https://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-culinary-art-degrees/, and https://www.collegerank.net/best-culinary-programs/.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the various schools listed, I'd encourage you to consider what you're looking for in a culinary arts school in regards to academic, social, career, and financial aspects. The BEST school will be the school that provides you with all that you're looking for. and perhaps more.
Wishing you the best in your educational and career endeavors! It sounds like you have an interesting journey ahead!
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Hi Dashary, where I live in Traverse City, Michigan there is an excellent culinary arts program at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) which is a community college. People come from all over to study there. It is called the Great Lakes Culinary Institute and here is their website:
https://www.nmc.edu/programs/academic-programs/culinary-arts/
Good luck with your career goals!
https://www.nmc.edu/programs/academic-programs/culinary-arts/
Good luck with your career goals!
Thankyou so much for the information!
Dashary