Culinary Arts Training

If you’re serious about getting into the culinary arts as a profession, a culinary training program will help you immensely as you get your feet wet in this growing and competitive field.

Why Get Professional Training?

Sure, you can get a job in the culinary arts without any professional credentials, and many have, but going through a training program gives you a breadth of knowledge that allows you to take advantage of a wide variety of opportunities in many places. Do you want to specialize in Asian cuisine? Do you want to become a chocolatier? Do you want to run your own restaurant? Formal training can help you do all that.

Also, your credentials give your potential employers the assurance they need that you can perform the functions of the job for which you are applying. And, if you’re looking to move up to a management position, many organizations require an advanced degree. In short, a professional culinary training program is an investment that goes a long way.

What Will I Learn?

There are many levels of training that are available, from the basic online correspondence course that may get your foot in the door to an entry-level job, to the graduate degree that could help you on your way to your high-end restaurant management ambitions. Depending on the kind of employment you aspire to, you can certify in as little as six months or get your Masters degree in two years.

No matter whether you’re just getting started or heading towards upper management, a job in the professional culinary industry will require you to know the fundamentals: keeping a clean kitchen, knowing your ingredients, basic methods of food preparation. You’ll have to know these things as an entry-level line cook so you can get that first kitchen job; you’ll have to know these things as a gourmet restaurant manager so you can step in when needed on a busy night. Caterers and private chefs will also have to tailor their knowledge of these basics to apply them to the homes and venues they work in as well.

Hands-on experience counts when it comes to moving up in your career; most, if not all programs require a certain amount of work or lab experience. The point of externships and work experience is to prove that outside of the theoretical aspect of cooking, you have the technical skills to perform the job. Because the job often requires you to work closely with others in fast-paced, ever-changing high-pressure situations, work experience also proves you have the communications and social skills to be part of a team.

Advanced degrees may take a combination of externships and work experience to qualify. Entry-level certifications provide practical laboratory work, and opportunities to work around the community; at this point even fast-food kitchen work is a plus. The most basic of training assumes that you will use it to get the work experience you need to get in or move up in the culinary field.

Accreditation, Accreditation, Accreditation

In all cases, accreditation is important. Without accreditation, the time, money and effort you spend on a culinary program could be for naught. It’s even possible that you could lose your job or face other penalties for taking a job based on a program that is not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency, even if you had no intention of doing any wrong.

If you’re ready to take on the exciting and creative career path into the culinary arts, or bump your skills up into a better job in the restaurant and hospitality industry, the only thing you need to do is decide to get started. Once you do, the culinary programs will take care of giving you the skills, experience, and even the connections you need to get ahead in the culinary field.

  • The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division

    The world of tomorrow awaits. The world of fashion, of design, of media. This world is looking for the next generation of talented professionals ready to make an impact with their passion, their talent and their training from the leader in online creative arts education, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division.

    As part of the renowned Art Institutes system of schools, with more than 45 campus locations across the country, we build on more than 85 years of excellence in delivering 27 academic programs designed to help you succeed.

  • Ashworth College

    Ashworth offers respected, affordable online degree programs and expert guidance to help you meet your goals while balancing work and family. Now you can get the precise training you need to become the professional you’ve always wanted to be. And you can go as far as your education takes you.

  • Penn Foster

    Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s super-competitive job market. With online training from Penn Foster Career School, students are assured of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Students at Penn Foster Career School can get the training they need quickly, conveniently, and affordably.

    Penn Foster is one of the world’s largest and most respected online education providers. Their programs are job focused, and they offer training for employment in the fastest-growing fields in business, technology, health care, and the trades.

  • The Art Institutes

    Why choose an Art Institutes school? That’s truly the central question, isn’t it? The short answer: because we can help you turn your passion and inspiration into a rewarding career. At The Art Institutes schools, we recognize and share your creative passion. You have the inspiration and great ideas; we have the industry-relevant technology and hands-on degrees to help you make it happen in the real world. With schools located across North America, we are America’s Leader in Creative Education. Choose an Art Institutes school and let’s get started.

  • Lincoln Culinary Institute

    Lincoln Culinary Institute is committed to providing each student with one of the most memorable and interesting educational experiences of their lives. We focus on teaching classical cooking techniques and methods with a modern twist. Our instructors teach practical skills in either our brigade-style kitchens, or in our European island-style kitchens.

    By fostering a hands-on teaching environment our students learn interactively through discussion, demonstration and direct contact with chef-instructors, administrators, restaurant owners, industry professionals and chefs and are prepared to enter the fast-paced food service industry upon graduation. By engaging students in the learning process, together we can produce results.

  • Salter College

    Salter College, a private two-year college, offers an enriching balance of liberal arts and professional career education. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students through quality education and support services while fostering an environment that inspires academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and an interest in life-long learning and continued higher education.

  • Keiser University

    At Keiser University we are here to help you succeed by providing the professional and academic foundation to meet your educational goals and objectives. Keiser University continues to be a valuable partner to employers, the community, and, above all, a valued choice for students serious about their education and career.

  • Star Career Academy

    Star Career Academy – the career school of choice. What makes us unique, and unlike other trade schools, is the dedication of our staff to provide performance-based occupational training. Students will be prepared for entry-level employment in allied health fields, hotel and restaurant management, cosmetology, or a choice from our professional cooking, culinary, baking or pastry schools. Students gain the knowledge and confidence they need so that they may quickly gain employment and achieve the success they desire. Choose from any of our convenient locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Long Island.

  • Dorsey Schools

    The entire staff of Dorsey Schools strives to prepare men and women for the best possible career opportunities in various fields. We are committed to providing quality career education and positive reinforcement to enable the individual development of self- esteem, self- reliance, discipline and confidence in all graduates, coupled with an obligation to the communities in which they live and work.

  • Branford Hall Career Institute

    Prestigious Branford Hall has been a leader in professional education for four decades. Branford Hall has campuses conveniently located in Branford, Southington and Windsor, Connecticut; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Albany and Bohemia, New York. Students are instructed with state-of-the-art, real-world technologies that today’s employers are seeking.