Four Things You Should Consider When Choosing Your Culinary Degree Program

Culinary degree programs train future chefs and cooks in the art of preparing food. They also may oversee other kitchen staff. This article will address four things you need to know to make an informed decision about entering a cooking school: Educational Needs, Curriculum,Career Opportunities,  Online Schools.

Educational Needs

A formal education isn’t required. Many cooks love trying different recipes at home. They may even create their own recipes or take a few one-day classes on their own. However, those who want to work in 5-star restaurants, vacation resorts and hotels attend a school that offers a degree in their chosen art.

Cooks in fast food restaurants or family-style eating places are hired without a degree and receive on-the-job training. This is a great way to gain experience while earning a degree.

Curriculum

When you decide to earn a culinary degree, you’ll receive the type of well-rounded training needed to become a chef. Technical colleges, community colleges, dedicated cooking schools, offline and online colleges offer certificates, associate and bachelor degrees.

      Your training will include basic cooking techniques such as: knife skills, food safety and sanitation, product identification, cooking math, and others.

      Training in dry heat cooking includes: sautéing, pan frying, deep frying, grilling and roasting.

      You’ll learn moist heat cooking techniques such as: braising, stewing, shallow poaching, steaming and deep poaching.

      Depending on the type of degree you seek, you’ll also learn to prepare foreign cuisine such as French, Italian, Asian and others.

In order to become a head cook or chef, you’ll need management skills since you’ll be supervising others. You’ll be responsible for running the whole kitchen including choosing the dishes the restaurant offers and ordering needed supplies. There is special software to learn to organize kitchen stock and manage the work done by the kitchen employees.

Career Opportunities

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a federal government jobs report, job openings for chefs and cooks from 2010 – 2020 have little or no change. Openings will be created as current employees retire or leave the profession.

This career experiences high turnover because of the fast pace, high energy needed and long work hours. The most likely professionals to be hired will have the most experience, creativity and management skills.

The median salary is $40,630 per year, or $19.53 per hour according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This means that half of the chefs and cooks earn less than this amount and the other half earn more.

Job opportunities exist wherever food is served. Restaurants, fast-food, bars, hotels and resorts are the obvious choices. Affluent families also hire private cooks. Corporations with on-site cafeterias are also a good prospect for jobs. Catering is an option for culinary entrepreneurs.

Online Education

It’s possible to earn a bachelor degree in culinary art online if the student has completed an associate degree offline. It’s nearly impossible to teach most cooking skills without being in the presence of an instructor, so earning a full bachelor degree online is impractical.

Courses taught online are usually completion courses for students who wish to become a head chef or cook who manages a kitchen. Courses include restaurant and hospitality management. Computer and software skills are also taught. Online programs are conveniently flexible by Internet for students who have jobs and families.

One of the best prerequisites for entering this career is that you love to cook. Creativity is high on the list of required characteristics to be successful. Adding online college courses to your creativity can help you reach your goals and increase your earnings.

When you’re ready to invest in yourself and your culinary future, www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools.org is a great place to begin exploring your options. You will find a directory of programs in all areas of culinary arts and cooking schools located all over the country to help you reach your goals.