WHAT IS CULINARY ARTS VS CULINARY SCHOOL?
The word “culinary” means “related to cooking.” The culinary arts include the skills of preparing, cooking, and presenting food. People who are culinary artists know how to create tasty, beautiful, quality dishes.
With online culinary schools, people learn how to work as culinary artists. They study the basics of baking, cooking, food safety, developing menus, and controlling costs. They also learn how to manage food businesses as chefs, managers, or owners of restaurants. Culinary schools combine the art of making great food with the craft of running a good business.
Through culinary school, students may learn how to work as a:
- Restaurant manager
- Wine director
- Executive chef
- Personal chef
- Head chef
- Head cook
- Pastry chef
Culinary artists could also own a variety of businesses. Food trucks, restaurants, or food service companies, for example. They may also write cookbooks and teach classes, or work as freelance personal chefs. There are lots of possible options.
ONLINE CULINARY SCHOOL
Culinary arts programs include classes and labs, some online and some in person. Classes teach theory and concepts. In their labs, students put what they have learned to practice. In some online culinary programs, students do internships to grow and gain experience. In some programs, students might take culinary arts classes with Gen Ed classes. Online culinary classes may need students to prove their techniques through virtual means. Or online students might have to visit campus for exams or labs.
Many culinary arts programs may differ from one another. But, there are core classes. Students study the basics of nutrition and combining foods. They learn how to design menus and pair foods with wines. And they see how to work in kitchens and with computer software the industry uses.
Beyond core classes, students take classes that give them focused knowledge. This is where programs start to differ. In some cases, students focus more on management or food operations. In others, they study the basics of the arts in greater depth. They might focus more on fine dining or food services. Or they might learn more about being chefs, bakers, or nutrition-focused chefs. It depends on the program.
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HOW LONG DOES CULINARY SCHOOL TAKE?
Culinary schools take one to four years, but varies by the online culinary degree program. People can earn an associate’s degree in the culinary arts in one and a half to two years. They can earn a bachelor’s degree in the culinary arts in four years. This is with full time attendance. Students who need to attend school part-time will take longer to earn a degree.
CULINARY ARTS SCHOOLS PROGRAM EXAMPLES
| School | # of Credits Required | Start Dates | Minimum Months to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | 69 | Summer, Spring and Fall | 18 |
| Lakeland Community College | 105 | Spring, Summer and Fall | 18 |
| Johnson & Wales University, Providence | 182.5 | Multiple Start Dates | 48 |
THE COST OF EARNING A CULINARY ARTS DEGREE
In 2017, median in-state tuition at a public school cost $3,499. Median out-of-state tuition at a private school cost $20,700.
| School | # of Credits Required | Cost Per Credit | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | 69 | $438 | $30,262 |
| Johnson & Wales University, Providence | 182.5 | $202 | $26,880 |
| Lake Land College | 105 | $724.47 | $132,216 |
TOP CULINARY ARTS SCHOOL
Last check, there were many schools that offer culinary arts degrees or programs. From those schools, there were 16,792 culinary arts degrees awarded to students. The majority (96.5%!) of these degrees were associate’s degrees.
| Schools | 2017 Grads Total/Degrees Awarded | Average Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | 723 | $30,262 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | 582 | $26,880 |
| Lake Land College | 424 | $12,701 |
| Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Pasadena | 378 | $4,809 |
| The International Culinary Center | 344 | $48,635 |
CHOOSING AN ACCREDITED CULINARY ARTS DEGREE PROGRAM
Accreditation helps ensure schools offer quality courses and programs. When you go to an accredited school, you know it has met rigorous standards set by an outside agency. It’s important to go to an accredited school if you want more education or to transfer to another school. Also, some employers like to hire people who went to an accredited school.
At most schools, there are two types of accreditation. One happens at the school level. An accredited school is a quality school. Another happens at the individual program level. Not all programs need accreditation, so sometimes having program accreditation is a bonus. In the case of accredited culinary arts schools and programs, the ACF manages them.
The ACF ensures that culinary arts programs offer quality teachers, materials, and services. You can check with your school to see if it has ACF accreditation. You can also check with the ACF to see if it has accredited your school.
The ACF also offers certifications. Culinary artists use certifications to show employers that they know their craft. They can earn certifications by taking tests in many areas like pastry and savory. They can also earn a general ACF certification or certifications at different levels. You must have a certain amount of experience to test for certifications. People who have ACF certifications must renew every three to five years.
OTHER CAREERS IN CULINARY ARTS
While there are many jobs for culinary artists, the following are some more common ones:
CHEFS AND HEAD COOKS
Chefs and head cooks watch food preparation at restaurants and other places. They direct staff and handle food-related concerns. In 2018, chefs and head cooks earned a mean annual wage of $48,460. Jobs for chefs and head cooks could grow by 11%. This is faster than average.
FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS
Food service managers operate restaurants and other places where they serve food and drink. They direct staff and take care of customers’ experiences. They also help ensure the business makes money. In 2018, food service managers earned a mean annual wage of $54,240. Jobs for food service managers could grow by 11%. This is much faster than average.