Yet Another List For You To Ponder On

Determining the top 10 culinary schools in the United States is, of course, a subjective matter. There is more than one way to decide what the top school is, and everyone might have their own different set of criteria to judge these various schools and programs on. Some people might put more emphasis on the prestige of the school, while others might judge the programs on the chefs that have attended them, and others might be more interested in the programs teaching with more innovative techniques or using the best equipment. The following list of the top 10 culinary schools,
These are the top 10 culinary schools in the United States of 2009 according to the Chef2Chef community

1. Texas Culinary Academy, Austin TX
   
2. Culinary Institute of America - Hyde Park Campus, Hyde Park NY
   
3. French Culinary Institute, New York NY
   
4. JNA Institute of Culinary Arts, Philadelphia PA
   
5. Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Scottsdale AZ
   
6. Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids MI
   
7. New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier VT
   
8. Orlando Culinary Academy, Orlando FL, 21 votes
   
9. The Art Institute of Dallas, Dallas TX
   
10. Johnson & Wales University, Providence RI
    

Now, if this were a list of the top 10 culinary schools in the world, it would be a completely different matter altogether. The Cordon Bleu in France would most likely be at the top of the list, for starters, as well as several other prestigious schools throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. The Culinary Institute of America would definitely still be on the list, but smaller schools like Grand Rapids Community College would not. But if you're going to attend culinary school in the U.S., these are the schools more professionals recommen

Top 10 Culinary Schools in the World

 TOP 10 CULINARY SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD

Cooking is an art and there is no debate about that, if you can throw together some lip smacking varieties, your talent is sure to get recognized, as you can work your way towards being recognized as an outstanding chef. To hone cooking skills and to let your art of cooking do the talking, culinary schools become the right source. Cooking needs innovation as well as expertise, which in turn stresses the importance of undergoing proper training as well getting imparted with education. The culinary schools fit into this scheme of things and provide the enthusiasts with appropriate styles related to cooking different cuisines. The top culinary schools are the ones that offer top class instructors, finest facilities, job placement assistance, food service operations, credentials as well as that of practical cooking sessions.
Here is the list of top 10 culinary schools that serve as springboards for getting your career as a chef launched.

Culinary Institute of America

Culinary Institute of America in New York is a reputed culinary school, and the faculty at this college includes Master Chefs. They have churned out more cooking graduates, and it isn’t difficult to spot the leaders pertaining to the food industry that have had their learning stint here, and students at the Culinary Institute of America spend nearly 1300 hours in the bakeshop or kitchen, which provides a strong base to enhance their cooking skills. A bachelor’s with CIA or that of associate degree pertaining to culinary arts is considered to be an unmatched credential, and Culinary Institute of America is one of the top 10 culinary schools that open windows of opportunities to get launched into your profession.

French Culinary Institute of New York City

French Culinary Institute of New York City happens to be a culinary school that is known to be provides unmatched higher learning with respect to culinary arts, and you can also come by a top-class faculty here. Their unwavering commitment, passion to provide superior quality, and the good faculty has enabled this reputed culinary school to produce culinary leaders, who come here to hone their craft as well as to shape their dreams. The FCI campus is situated in Soho, and the training provided at this culinary school that is one of the top 10 culinary schools is just world-class, and the curriculum here gets designed mostly by famous chefs who have carved a niche for themselves.

Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute

As a renowned culinary school in Canada, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute’s rich history pertaining to gastronomy makes it an ideal venue to get initiated with that of a top rated culinary arts education. They possess world class chefs, as they also offer programs that embrace extensive varieties as well as courses that satiate the enthusiasts looking for valuable education. Obtaining Le Grand Diplôme Le Cordon Bleu is also possible, which is known to many among the culinary professionals, and Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute also never fails to put you in the right path as when your profession is concerned. As one of the top 10 culinary schools, the well rounded education from this culinary school equips you with the much needed knowledge to register success in our profession.

Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University is an institution that harps on practical experience as that can be gained in classes, which are based upon the needs related to the demand of the industry. An Associate Degree in that of Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University not only imparts classical techniques and fundamentals, but also provides an insight into creativity and critical thinking. Graduates from this university have gone on to register roaring success in their career, as the Baking and that of Pastry program also get conducted by some top chefs. This is one of the top 10 culinary schools that possess professional and modern kitchens and grand facilities for that of the students.

New England Culinary Institute

As a known culinary school, New England Culinary Institute provides personal attention to the students, and the programs at this culinary school has been designed to provide training as well as practical experience, where you get instructed by top class Chef Instructors, and to enhance your cooking abilities, New England Culinary Institute happens to be a perfect choice. Students have to come good under working conditions that are similar to real life situations, and if you have set your dreams to become a chef, a pastry chef, food & beverage manager, and other professions related to cooking, the professional degree from this culinary school that is one of the top 10 culinary schools helps you reach the desired destination.

California Culinary Academy

An exciting career awaits the individuals who take up extensive training at the California Culinary Academy, where your creative side related to cooking blossoms as in a way to achieve what you have dreamed about, and that is to become a top notch chef. The California Culinary Academy unveils training through professional chef instructors as well as other culinary professionals, and you’ll get provided with equipment and techniques that are modern, and the practical education designed at this culinary school that finds a place in the top 10 culinary schools is sure to lead to you an exciting career.

L’Academie de Cuisine

L’Academie de Cuisine cooks up your culinary career, and you are sure to get equipped with classic French techniques, with the training sessions conducted by renowned professional chefs. As a premier culinary school situated in Washington, the L’Academie de Cuisine provides professional training programs entwined with precious externship experience. Students get instilled with top class skills and knowledge at L’Academie de Cuisine, which is one of the top 10 culinary schools, and to don the role of top chefs from thereon is going to be a dream that gets fulfilled.

Tante Marie’s Cooking School

Situated in San Francisco, Tante Marie’s Cooking School helps you reach your goal of becoming a baker or that of a culinary professional, as your culinary knowledge is sure to increase as while you take up a culinary course at this renowned culinary school. The Participation Courses at Tante Marie’s Cooking School provides opportunities for the students to cook under the supervision of top chefs, and as one of the top 10 culinary schools, it helps students to embark on a successful career.

Kendall College

Kendall College offers Bachelor of Arts pertaining to Culinary Arts Degree, as the students are taken through fundamental as well as advanced cooking techniques and the graduates get prepared for food service operations as well as for that of fine-dining kitchens. Students at the Kendall College are prepared to launch into successful careers, as they also glean knowledge related to the current trends prevailing in the foodservice industry to enjoy a successful career. As one of the top 10 culinary schools, Kendall College offers Culinary Degree that equips the students with knowledge, and also with practical experience to make a mark in this field.

George Brown College Chef School

George Brown College Chef School is one of the top 10 culinary schools that has earned recognition for developing culinary graduates who have attained top status in the culinary field. Located in Toronto, externships at this reputed culinary school is a good experience to work with top notch chefs, and you also get to know the current industry demands through the programs that get offered at George Brown College Chef School. You can get a certificate, diploma as well as that of post-diploma level courses at this top culinary school.

Where to Begin?

How Do I Get Started In My Culinary Career?

You love the hiss of the stove and the clanging of pots and pans. You can stand the heat but know you can still get burned, and you love to spend your time in the kitchen. You are ready to launch your culinary career, and that means you need to earn a culinary degree, if you read my past blog posts you will see I have listed some of the top culinary schools in the United States, Canada, Europe and more to come. So you’ve made the decision; it’s time to go to culinary school. But how to begin? No worries I am here to help in your search. Below you’ll find the Who, Why, What, Where and How of studying the culinary arts.

Who
You, of course, that’s who. What do you want out of culinary school? Do you have a specialty in your mind? Take some time to consider things. Do you prefer working with desserts and sweets? Do you want to work in a four-star restaurant, or would you prefer a hotel or some other institution? Do you want to manage other chefs, or be left free to work on just your special area? Are you good at taking direction, or do you prefer to lead the way? Knowing where you want to be in the kitchen is critical—your culinary degree will help lead you in the right direction. This really is all about you and since you will be spending so much time earning your degree in a certain area you better make sure you enjoy the area you will be studying.
All of these are important factors to consider before moving forward. A good exercise is to sit down and write down answers to the questions above a pros VS. cons list if you will. Culinary school is challenging, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses before you go in is key or you may be miserable just because it wasn't really what you were truly interested in learning. Take the time to really dig deep and understand yourself before taking the next step.

Why
This is important: WHY do you want to go to culinary school? Are you fulfilling a life-long dream, or simply following the expectations of your parents or friends? Are you hoping for a stable career and a culinary degree is the next step down that path? Whatever your reason, if you are doing it for yourself and the dreams you hold for your life, you are more likely to succeed. Anyone who persues what THEY truly enjoy will be more successful then doing something you dread all day, so if you don't like cooking that much or it seams like a monotonous task you don't care to do everyday this most certainly is not for you.

What
As we already discussed in the “who” section, the “what” of the culinary arts all comes down to specialty. There are so many options in the culinary world that you need to take some time and consider what it is you love about the culinary arts and study that area extremely close.
Many of you may have already been working in a kitchen as either a short-order cook or a line chef. If this is true for you, then you already know that if you want to rise through the kitchen ranks you will need to earn a culinary degree. But what is your long-term goal? To be sous chef? Executive chef? Master Chef? Or would you rather open your own bakery? Maybe you’d like to be the one that transforms that elementary school’s menu into something all the kids will like, day after day and every day.
Whatever your hopes and dreams, it’s important to spend plenty of time considering them and making sure that you are starting down the path that will lead you where you want to go. For instance, even in you love making cakes and pies, studying to become a pastry chef will never get you the title “Executive Chef.” Be clear what it is you want to achieve, and then use your culinary arts degree to do it.

Where
This question is just as important but much more practical. Do you want to stay close to home, or are you eager to explore other places? Does your culinary specialty have a preferred institution, or can you attend anywhere? Do you want a place where you can live on campus, or would you rather live off-site?
The first step, of course, is to find out the best institution for your specialty. Then you can check out the best local options as well as visit other locations. What culinary school offers the flexibility you need? When visiting an institution, be sure to check out the surrounding neighborhoods and the services they offer. After all, if you are going to spend a lot of time in that area, you will need more than just what the culinary school offers—after all, you’ll also need to eat and shop!
Secondly, you should spend some time researching how the institution assists its graduates. Does it have a strong career center? How about their job placement office? Once you’ve graduated you’ll need some assistance taking that next step. Check out how they will help you.
Once you have all this information, you will know which culinary school is the best place for you.

How
Ah, how may seem like the biggest question. How will I get in? How will I pay for culinary school? How will I manage to work while going to school?
Luckily, in this day and age there are as many diverse options for earning your culinary degree as there are students. You can go to school part-time and keep that good job. You can go to an accelerated degree program, and possibly even take some courses on line. If you want to get some real one on one training you will want to attend a top notch culinary school. I suggest one of the Top 10 Culinary Schools as you have seen listed in my blog as some of the most prestigious and with the most hands on training.
Financial aid is readily available to anyone who needs it, making a culinary degree a reality for everyone. The admissions counselors at the institution you choose can help you navigate the paperwork required and provide guidance on both financial aid and your course load.
To study the culinary arts, all it takes is you making the commitment and taking that first step. Good luck, and good learning—and good eating!