Great questions to ask when considering Culinary Arts Schools

Deciding whether or not you should go to culinary art school can be a difficult choice to make. Whatever you decide could immensely impact your future. If you are wondering whether or not it is right for you, here are some great questions to ask to help you get an idea of the best path for you.

Why would I go to culinary school? This is an important initial question because you need to know what going to culinary school will do for you. There are many reasons to attend culinary school, but the most common revolve around the desire to be in the restaurant industry, of having a strong passion for food and food preparation.
What do culinary schools teach? Culinary programs begin with the basics of working in the kitchen and often extend through nutrition education, and courses on specialized culinary skills.
How long does culinary school last? Depending on what you go to culinary arts school for, the time you are enrolled can vary, but most culinary programs are 2-4 years long.
Is culinary training all about learning how to cook? Culinary arts schools do teach more than just cooking. They often teach additional things such as knife handling and the art of making soufle's.
How can I find a good culinary arts school? First you need to decide on your location needs; do you want to stay closer to home, or are you OK with relocating? Depending on what you decide you will have a better idea of where to look for schools and what they are each about.
What are some of the top culinary schools? There is plenty of information available out there that can help you pick the best school for you. Publications like the Princeton Review rank schools based on culinary programs and quality of instruction.
Do certain schools specialize in different things? Yes, some culinary arts schools are highly specialized to different types of cuisines from around the world, and some are focused on things like pastries. Depending on what you want to learn in culinary school, you can do research to find which one would be best for you.
Do i have to go into a cooking school in order to be a chef? Culinary arts school is the most common way to gain the desired chef certification, but there are other ways to achieving the goal of becoming a chef. Apprenticeships at high quality restaurants can also get you to that end.
What are some of the jobs that I can expect to work if I pursue a culinary arts career? There are a lot of different job opportunities, but some of the most common include line chef, assistant baker, restaurant manager, pantry cook, and several others. As you gain experience post culinary school your job options will expand to include other, more prestigious positions.