Should I Go to Culinary School? 6 Ways It Could Benefit You
If you absolutely love cooking and get enjoyment out of serving others delicious and nourishing meals, then you'd likely find a career as a chef or similar culinary leader very rewarding. The question is, what path do you take to get there? Top chefs come from just about every background, each with their own unique way of climbing the ladder of success. Some started as a dishwasher and slowly worked their way up, others honed their skills in a relative's kitchen, and still others enrolled at a culinary school before making their first break into the culinary world.
In short, there are a number of ways to become a chef. That said, for those just getting started or have reached a wall in their culinary career, culinary school or a culinary program can be the best next step in this industry. Just consider the following ways going to a culinary school could benefit you and why it could be a better next step than trying to rough it out the long way:
Choosing Culinary School: 6 Ways it Could Benefit You
- Learn a variety of cooking styles. Let's say you spend four years working at a Thai restaurant. During this time, you'll become highly proficient in Thai recipes and cooking techniques but that's about it as you'll be limited in learning only how to prepare the dishes that your restaurant serves. But at a culinary school, you aren't so limited. Quite the opposite in fact as a robust culinary program will offer a diverse array of courses in which students will learn how to prepare a variety of dishes as well as new cooking techniques.
- School teaches theories that are the building blocks to authority. There is a big difference between being a cook and being a chef and when you're working underneath a chef as a newcomer to the industry, that chef will likely expect you to be nothing but a cooking robot. After all, the great majority of chefs aren't looking for people to replace them, they're looking for hires who'll do what they say and not question it because at a restaurant you're being paid to follow orders not learn techniques. In contrast, a culinary school offers a structured environment in which students will be able to learn theory as well as execution. Even something basic as understanding why eggs are added to baked goods will propel you forward in your career as you'll have a greater understanding of food. It's the fundamentals that will give you a place of authority as you enter the workforce following graduation.
- Access to a diverse alumni network. Don't let anyone tell you that connections don't matter. As much as 85% of all jobs are filled via networking -- meaning most jobs are never even advertised for. This is as true for the food industry as any other as restaurant owners and managers are always on the hunt for recommendations for experienced, qualified, and responsible individuals to add to their team. But how do you start putting your name out there? Going to a culinary school is one excellent way to start off on the right foot.
- You can get a degree and get started on your career in less than two years. Why spend three, four, five, or even more years slowly working your way up in a restaurant, when you can get a head start on your career and obtain a degree in the culinary arts in less than two years. This means less time fumbling around in a place with no experience and more time getting right into the place where you want to be: the kitchen cooking and serving up delicious treats.
- Career flexibility. A lot of the above is written for those culinary school students who want to be restaurant chefs, but it's important to note that a culinary arts degree opens a lot more doors than just restaurant work. A culinary arts degree shows that you have a strong understanding of the fundamentals and can be used in a variety of career avenues including working as a chef on a cooking show, a food scientist for a popular food brand, a food and beverage director at a five-star hotel, and so much more.
Are you interested in working in the culinary arts industry? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerate pace. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions counselor.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Culinary Arts - Associate’s
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