Top Culinary Training at North Dakota Cooking Schools

As cities in North Dakota continue to grow, so is the number of employment opportunities in the culinary industry. Many aspiring chefs are taking advantage of this untapped market to receive the training and work experience they need to launch successful careers. Whether you are resident of the state or looking for a place to develop your cooking skills, North Dakota Cooking Schools offer some of the best training in the country.

Although it is not considered to be the capital of the food industry, North Dakota is in fact a major agricultural center. This means there is an abundance of fresh ingredients and meat markets chefs can use to cook organic and unique dishes. With German, Scandinavian and Swedish influence, you can master some of the most sought after cuisines and specialties in the world.

Finding a School in North Dakota

North Dakota cooking schools offer all levels of culinary education, from 4-year bachelor degrees to certificates. Universities, culinary institutions, community and technical colleges offer great programs that train students for various positions, including head chef, sous chef, line cooks, pastry chefs, institutional cooks and more. Enrolling in an accredited training program can open many doors of opportunities and equip you with the knowledge necessary to land your first entry level or management job.

Different institutions provide different levels of training. Bachelor degrees typically focus on subjects like restaurant management, baking and pastry, nutrition, culinary arts, food cost control and food technology to name a few. Community and technical colleges specialize in developing practical kitchen skills and are usually shorter in duration. This is ideal for students who want accelerated training and wish to acquire a job as soon as possible.

Local Cuisine

Although North Dakota cooking schools provide top education, you can learn a lot more by being involved in the local food scene. Students should strive to:

• Become acquainted with top local restaurants
• Search for internships to expand their training
• Become familiar with local cuisine
• Form relationships with local star chefs and employers before completing studies

The Culinary Job Scene in North Dakota

North Dakota has a wealth of culinary career opportunities. However, students have to keep in mind that is the quality of education and work experience that employers are looking for in employees. Scope out the local employment scene and find out which skills are valued the most. In general, university students tend to be offered higher paying jobs than those with basic technical skills. This, however, is not always the case. It is possible to earn a good entry level job if you take time to network with local professionals.

Top North Dakota Cooking Schools

• University of North Dakota: specializes in nutrition, hospitality, community food service and culinary arts
• Bismarck State College
• North Dakota State University in Fargo
• North Dakota State College of Science: associate degrees and accelerated training programs available to develop a range of skills
• United Tribes Technical College