Culinary Schools
With the perennial popularity of restaurant fare, as well as the diversification of cuisine in the United States, a culinary school may be an excellent educational choice for someone with a love of food, an interest in business, and a desire to merge the two disciplines. Current statistics show that culinary career options will continue to grow at least through 2010, and many restaurants are now paying salaries equivalent to slightly more than 30% of their total income. A variety of culinary schools are available, with different programs based on student interest and skill level. Students can select schools that focus on baking and pastry skills, catering practices, or more traditional chef-oriented programs designed to place graduates in successful restaurants.
The restaurant industry of today is a multi-billion dollar industry. The success of high end restaurant chains, as well as the televised Food Network, point to a strong and growing interest in high end cuisine. As a result, more restaurant positions are available at the higher end of the scale. A culinary school degree is often necessary in order to gain employment at this level, so such a degree is often well worth the investment of time and money involved.
Culinary schools can be found across the country, from Boston to San Francisco. Many concentrate on specific areas of study, with certain schools offering a curriculum involving both culinary skills and restaurant management, while others concentrate solely on training successful chefs. Some schools provide real-life training in the form of apprenticeships and internships at nearby restaurants, which allow students to learn while gaining valuable practical experience in a working kitchen environment. In some cases students are paid a wage during their internship, which may help to defray costs and provide a basic income.
From a financial standpoint, many culinary schools offer their own financial aid packages or allow students to work part time while taking classes. Courses of study may take from a year to eighteen months, depending on the type of degree sought and the school's policies.
Not all graduates of culinary schools go on to work in restaurants. Some move into careers involving nutrition and health education, using their culinary skills to design healthy menus for hospital patients or health enthusiasts. The flexible nature of a culinary school education can provide skills that will guarantee a lifetime of employment, even in a shaky economy.
