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Culinary Arts & Food Service Colleges

Culinary Arts & Food Services includes majors such as Baking and Pastry Arts, Restaurant & Catering Management, Bartending/Bartender and Culinary Arts/Chef Training. Depending on the program you choose, you’ll learn cooking basics, advanced pastry decorating techniques, menu planning, kitchen management, food sanitation safety and more.

Culinary Arts & Food Services programs at colleges and universities can last anywhere from a few months to several years, leading to certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, online degrees and master’s degrees. You can expect most of your college career to be spent in a campus kitchen or in the field completing hands-on training.

Majors in Culinary Arts & Foods Services are suited to creative, energetic, detail-oriented, thick-skinned individuals. A love for food and a sophisticated palette are key. You’ll also need to know how to communicate, work well on a team and handle the pressure.

Other majors in Culinary Arts & Food Services include Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts and Related Services, Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant, Food Service Waiter/Waitress, and Dining Room Management/Manager, Food Services, Institutional Food Workers, Meat Cutting/Meat Cutter and Personal and Culinary Services.

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Choosing a Culinary Arts & Food Services School

Whether you want to attend a culinary arts-only career college or technical school or a general community college, 4-year college or university, you’ll find no shortage of Culinary Arts & Food Services programs around the country. To narrow down your choices, look for small faculty-to-student ratios to guarantee the most one-on-one instruction, check on-campus kitchens for the latest industry standards, investigate specialized cooking courses and find out about hands-on internship opportunities. The career paths of recent grads are another great indication of a school’s Culinary Arts & Food Services program.

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Culinary Arts & Food Services Degree Programs

The Culinary Arts & Food Services major has a variety of degree program options. complete your college education in a few months to two years, choose a certificate program or associate degree. Most of these programs are offered at culinary arts career colleges and technical schools. In this major, you’ll learn basic cooking procedures, kitchen safety, sanitation regulations and management skills. Longer programs will give you more advanced and specialized skill sets, possibly giving you an edge with employers.

A bachelor’s degree from a college or university that offers majors beyond Culinary Arts & Food Services can give you a liberal arts education in addition to your food service skills. With business and marketing courses under your belt, some employers may favor you. These skills are helpful if you want to own your own restaurant later, too.

Some Culinary Arts & Food Services majors pursue a master’s degree. These programs are offered at colleges and universities to give students even more expertise. Generally, students who choose this path already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject or another food services area and simply wish to gain other culinary skills.

Culinary Arts & Food Services Degree Programs:

Online Culinary Arts & Food Services Degree Programs at Online Schools

While all Culinary Arts & Food Services majors don’t have online school programs, you can get an online degree if you’re interested in the business and managerial side of the business. Cooking and baking programs require too much time in the kitchen for online degree programs, but courses in management, safety and nutrition are all well suited to online school.

Online Culinary Arts & Food Services Degree Programs:

Online Culinary Arts & Food Services Schools:

High School Preparation

Take as many cooking classes as you can during high school to prepare for Culinary Arts & Food Services college. You should also experiment with recipes and cooking techniques at home so you’re comfortable in a kitchen before you start school. To hone your palette, visit a variety of restaurants and try unique cuisines. Volunteer work and part time jobs at bakeries, restaurants, cafes and catering services will give you real world experience to add to your college application.

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Popular Careers in the Field of Culinary Arts & Food Services

The employment outlook for Culinary Arts & Food Services careers is typically good, though the highest paying jobs are often very competitive. Entry-level positions include food preparation workers, short-order cooks, fast-food cooks, bar backs, waiters and waitresses, industrial bakers and kitchen assistants.

With more education, experience and talent, Culinary Arts & Food Services majors can enjoy higher-paying careers as executive chefs, head cooks, pastry chefs, restaurant managers and catering managers. While work can be found in cafeterias, cafes, restaurants and more, the best jobs are found in high-end establishments, resorts, private homes and white-gloved catering companies. Salaries average between $15,000 and $55,000 each year. Another way to increase earning potential is to open your own restaurant or food service business.

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