Do you love food and dining out? Do you feel you would excel in a hospitality environment where you can provide patrons delicious dinners or inspired brunches? If you’re looking for a new career and answered yes to the previous questions, you’ve likely considered becoming a chef.
However, you may be asking yourself the questions, “Do I really need culinary school to become a chef?” and, if so, “How much is culinary school?” If you’ve ever considered becoming a professional chef, here’s what you need to know about the costs involved with a professional chef.
Do you want to be a cook or do you want to become a chef? There is a difference. A cook is someone who prepares food. If you make pancakes for your family on Saturday mornings, you’re technically a cook. Those who cook for a living may perform tasks such as doing prep work, frying burgers on a line, or preparing sauces. Often cooks get paid based on where they work and according to their rank.
A chef is the person who actually runs the kitchen in a restaurant. In most environments, the chef will perform fewer cooking duties than those who work under them. The chef comes up with new recipes, ensures that the kitchen is running smoothly, and provides guidance and vision to those in the kitchen. Some chefs own the restaurants they work for while others do not.
Culinary schools teach you how to be a chef and manage a kitchen as well as cook many different types of cuisines. Cooking classes, on the other hand, are usually limited to one type of cuisine and are intended to help you become a better cook at home. While cooking classes are perfect for the hobbyist or food lover, they will not prepare you to work in a restaurant.
Many community colleges offer an education and degree in the culinary arts. These programs tend to be less expensive and easier to get into than dedicated culinary schools and offer a basic education that will suffice for some students.
Culinary schools are more selective and provide a smaller teacher-to-student ratio than community colleges. They also boast a higher caliber of teaching staff and have connections with award-winning restaurants around the world as well as with resorts, major companies, and cruise lines. If you are dedicated to becoming a successful professional in the world of cooking, an education at a culinary school is the best path.
A culinary school will teach you everything you need to know about being a professional chef and running the kitchen of a busy restaurant. But what does this include? Culinary school will take you through the basics of kitchen and staff management in addition to actual cooking skills. Though not a comprehensive list, here are some of those skills you can expect to learn in a top-notch culinary school.
Before you ask the question “How much is culinary school?” you should first determine if you actually need it for what you want to do. If you want to learn how to cook meals for your family and friends or host impressive dinner parties, you don’t necessarily need to go to culinary school.
Taking some home cooking classes or watching a series of YouTube videos may do the trick if you are only cooking as a hobby. If you want to manage a high-end restaurant kitchen and provide award-winning meals to patrons, however, an education at a prestigious culinary school is the best preparation.
So how much is culinary school? It depends on the caliber of the school and where it’s located. For a prestigious school with good connections and a stellar staff, you will likely pay around $30,000 for your education.
Many programs offer financial aid and scholarships to offset these costs, though the competition for them is often stiff. If you are dedicated to making a career as a chef and want to compete for jobs at the most renowned restaurants, this investment is well worth it.
Still on the fence? Culinary school is not inexpensive, but it’s worth it if you are serious about becoming a chef. Here are the most compelling reasons why you should consider attending culinary school:
Have you decided that culinary school is right for you? The next step is choosing the right one for your needs. When choosing a school, ask yourself the following questions:
Have you decided that culinary school is right for you? Train at a professional school that boasts an immersive student experience and apprenticeship programs at top local restaurants. Contact us via phone or email and learn more about the Culinary Lab Contemporary Cooking School experience today.
Meet Chef Mike Backouris Chef Mike Backouris has over 15 years of culinary experience including…
Becoming a personal chef involves elevating yourself after achieving the status of chef and proving…
If you enjoy spending your time crafting delicious desserts and find yourself expressing your creativity…
To simply answer this question, a chef is an individual who is trained to understand…
Becoming a professional chef opens the door to tons of different job opportunities. A question…
Becoming a personal chef will take many years of training and experience. Many people get…