Choosing a Culinary School

Type the term “Culinary Schools” into any search engine and the hits just keep on coming. There are hundreds of Culinary Schools across the country offering everything from one-time workshops to bachelor’s degrees.

To determine the best culinary program or school for you, list your priorities as a means to whittle down your search. By considering important factors such as level of commitment, location, and price, you can narrow your search results from three figures to two.

What Are Your Goals?
Are you a hobby cook or future professional chef? Your personal goals play a big part in determining the right educational path. For the amateur cook, a few cooking classes from a local college may fit the bill. But if you hope to go the professional route, you will want to investigate attending an accredited culinary school.
Are You Willing to Relocate?
While you can find culinary programs in any state in the country, the top-rated Culinary Schools may not be in your neck of the woods. For instance, the main campus of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is in Hyde Park, New York, with satellite campuses in California, Texas, and Singapore. Could you move to pursue an education at this prestigious institution, or do you need to look locally? Geographic concerns play an integral role in choosing the right culinary school.

How Much Can You Afford?
Money is often the greatest factor to consider when pursuing any education. If you have a budget of only a few thousand dollars, you’ll want to stay local and look at public culinary education programs. If money is not a major concern, the number of possibilities increases. You can slash your search by looking for accredited Culinary Schools through the American Culinary Federation. Still too many choices? View schools by state and your search generally decreases to fewer than ten options.

Last Updated: 08/08/2012

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