11 Things to Consider in Choosing Culinary Schools

Do you want to be a chef? Have you thought of owning and managing a restaurant?

Becoming a chef or managing hotel kitchens and restaurants is fulfilling. You get to express yourself through food while making money in terms of salaries or profits. However, proper education is necessary to make this dream a reality. This is where Culinary Schools come-in.

Culinary education plays an important role in molding our future chefs and restaurateurs. Through proper education in Culinary Schools, students learn almost everything essential in starting a career as a chef or managing a food or restaurant business.

Choosing a Culinary School is one thing that needs to be taken seriously. The Cooking School that you will enroll-in will have a huge impact in your Culinary Career.

Culinary Schools – Things to consider:

1. Accreditation

Meeting the standards and providing good quality Culinary Education makes a Cooking School earn accreditation from different groups. The biggest accrediting body in the field of Culinary Arts is the ACFFAC (American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission). Choosing an ACF accredited Culinary School is always the best choice.

2. Culinary Arts Programs

Photo Credit: Digital Setant

What Culinary Programs are you interested in? Do you want to be a banquet or restaurant manager? Are you interested in the food catering business? How about being a chef? Choose the Culinary Arts Program of your interest and confirm what you’re prospective Culinary School is offering.

3. Culinary School Reputation

Reputation is defined as an explicit attribute attached to an individual or group. This has something to do with the image that is being portrayed by a Culinary School. Make sure that you choose a school with good reputation.

4. Cost of Tuition

Culinary education has its price. It is important to have an idea on the cost of tuition per course or per Culinary Arts Program before choosing a Culinary School. This will help you manage your education expenses, and choose a Culinary School that fits your budget.

5. Culinary School Facilities

The facilities of Culinary Schools are important for the students. These facilities helps the students learn and develop their culinary skills. These awareness and skills will be the edge of each student in building their culinary career after graduating culinary school.

6. Culinary Scholarships

Applying for Culinary Scholarships will help you save culinary tuition money. Ask if your prospect Culinary School is offering scholarship. Get the details about the Culinary Scholarship that the school is offering and apply immediately. You can also get Culinary Scholarship from private entities.

7. Proficiency Levels of Professors or Teachers

In the beginning, a student is only as good as his mentor. It is a must that teachers and professors of a Culinary School know what they are doing. They should also be proficient in their area of expertise. Check your prospect school’s website and get the faculty details. Try to assess if you are comfortable with the overall faculty proficiency based on the information provided.

8. Culinary School Years of Existence

The older an institution gets, the more they become credible and trustworthy. A school or any educational institution grows with time. The best Culinary Schools are usually the oldest (most of the time), but there are also exceptions.

9. Successful Graduates

Good Cooking Schools produces excellent graduates. Try to research on the successful alumni of your desired school and see if you want to be like them in the future.

10. Location

Choosing a Culinary School that is near your place of residence is the ideal thing. It makes your commute easier and saves you transportation and lodging money. As much as possible, choose a school near your home.

11. Diversity of Students

Diversity plays a huge factor in terms of Culinary Arts. Ever heard of the words “World Cuisine”? Diversity promotes learning about other cultures — including their customs and food. The more diverse the students are, the better a school becomes.