Culinary Arts Schools, Online Degrees and Programs
When it comes to working in the culinary industry, it takes more than a love of cooking and baking to succeed. When you enroll in a culinary arts certificate or degree program, you receive training in skills that apply across the industry. Whether you plan on working in a four-star restaurant, caf?, hotel, resort, family restaurant, or as a private chef, your culinary arts classes will cover the essentials in baking, pastry, catering, beverages, menu planning, and the business side of the kitchen.
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How to Prepare for a Career in the Culinary Arts
At the start, many culinary artists begin at the bottom, working as prep helpers, servers, or line cooks. Like you, most aspire to hold cooking roles as Master Chef, Sommelier, Rotisseur, Executive Chef, or Catering Manager. You can get there from here by building hands-on experience while attending your culinary arts degree program. You integrate the skills you learn in classes with your professional work, qualifying as you go for advancement.
Education Requirements for Culinary Arts Careers
Two- and four-year culinary arts degree programs provide the essential training in mastering the kitchen. Working chefs may return to school for classes in hospitality or restaurant management to quality for advancement.
Salary Range and Job Outlook for Culinary Arts
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median 2008 annual salary of $38,770 for chefs and head cooks, with top-end wages at $66,680. The BLS predicts good job prospects for the 2008-2018 decade, but competition will be keen for positions at upscale restaurants.