Introduction to Culinary Studies
Culinary studies majors learn the art of preparing and serving food, and the business of food service. With a degree in culinary studies, you could work in a wide range of careers , from serving food to cooking it, managing a restaurant or other food service establishment, catering, or even working as a dietitian, nutritionist, or health educator. It all depends on what aspect of the industry appeals to you, and how much education you earn.
What Will I Learn in a Culinary Studies Program?
First and foremost, your studies will include plenty of hands-on training in the kitchen, to understand the basics of food preparation, recipe development, and how to operate kitchen equipment. Your courses will also include food science, sanitation, menu planning and purchasing, basic food preparation and cooking techniques, and restaurant management. A culinary studies major usually leads to an associate's degree. And while training from culinary schools isn't always required for working in the field, promotions and higher earnings are more often provided to those with that training--particularly head chef or management positions. Dietitian or nutritionist jobs generally require bachelor's degrees.
With 12.7 million employees nationwide, or 9 percent of the American workforce, the restaurant industry is one of the nation's largest private sector employers. So although the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects average growth of 8 percent among food service jobs during the 2008-2018 period, 1.3 million jobs are expected to be added by 2020. The median annual wage for all food service and preparation occupations combined in May 2009 was $18,490, although the sheer number and range of jobs in this category means wide salary swings are possible.
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Culinary Arts • The College Board - Majors & Careers Central
Food Services and Drinking Places - Dec 17, 2009 • Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition
National Restaurant Association - Facts at a Glance • Research & Insights, NRA
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations - May 14, 2010 • Occupational Employment Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages
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Find Culinary Degrees by Subject
By selecting a subject one can find a Directory of Culinary Schools offering degree programs, diplomas or certificates
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Study on Campus
The Top Culinary Schools
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Need that degree, but can’t spend four years in school? Jumpstart your career with a degree from Bradford School. Bradford School has a stellar reputation for preparing high school graduates just like you for real jobs, in the real world, in no time flat. Choose from several career-track diploma and degree programs, and gain the skills your future employers will be looking for. 100% of last year’s graduates requesting placement assistance were placed in careers with futures. Learn more |
Available Programs: | Culinary Arts Learn more |
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Earn your culinary diploma in just 9 months. Train with professional chefs and receive hands-on experience at the school’s premier student-run restaurant. Individual attention is paramount at ACI Learn more |
Available Programs: | Baking and Pastry, Restaurant Management Learn more |
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Become a chef, caterer, or restaurant manager in just nine months at the Culinary Academy. Learn more |
Available Programs: | Baking and Pastry, Cooking, Culinary Arts, Restaurant Management Learn more |
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Learn more about your future career...
Learn more about your Culinary Career
What does it mean to study culinary arts?
Culinary career paths are as diverse as food options, and include certificate and degree programs. Gaining culinary experience includes working in jobs away from the stoves; even big-name chefs had humble beginnings that helped them in their careers.
[...] read more
Culinary Careers - Future Outlook
Find out about possible business careers and learn more about the future outlook of:
- Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers
- Bakers and pastry makers
- Hotel and restaurant managers
[...] read more
General Career Information: Culinary & Hospitality Jobs
Celebrity chefs are only one aspect of the new waves hitting the culinary and hospitality world. Your culinary and hospitality studies could help you find a traditional role in the field or launch you into one of the latest culinary trends.
[...] read more
General Outlook - Job Openings & Education Requirements
Projected job growth varies widely by education and training requirements. Education is essential in getting a high-paying job. In fact allmost all of the highest paying occupations require a college degree
[...] read more
How to get required Education
Learn more about how to get the right education for your Culinary career plans. Learn about selecting the right school that offers the required Culinary degree
[...] read more
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Top Online Culinary Schools
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Get started on your career with an education from Harrison College. We offer more than 30 degree, certificate, and diploma programs in the fields of health sciences, veterinary technology, information technology, criminal justice, and business, in addition to our culinary arts academy. Learn more |
Available Programs: | Baking and Pastry, Culinary Arts Learn more |
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Study On Campus
Students may search Culinary programs by location, subject area, and even degree type. Our interface makes it easy to research Culinary schools and compare different programs side by side.
Select a state in the directory below to find information about each available school in that area.
Alabama, AL
Alaska, AK
Arizona, AZ
Arkansas, AR
California, CA
Colorado, CO
Connecticut, CT
Delaware, DE
Florida, FL
Georgia, GA
Hawaii, HI
Idaho, ID
Illinois, IL
Indiana, IN
Iowa, IA
Kansas, KS
Kentucky, KY
Louisiana, LA
Maine, ME
Maryland, MD
Massachusetts, MA
Michigan, MI
Minnesota, MN
Mississippi, MS
Missouri, MO
Montana, MT
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Nebraska, NE
Nevada, NV
New Hampshire, NH
New Jersey, NJ
New Mexico, NM
New York, NY
North Carolina, NC
North Dakota, ND
Ohio, OH
Oklahoma, OK
Oregon, OR
Pennsylvania, PA
Rhode Island, RI
South Carolina, SC
South Dakota, SD
Tennessee, TN
Texas, TX
Utah, UT
Vermont, VT
Virginia, VA
Washington, WA
Washington DC, DC
West Virginia, WV
Wisconsin, WI
Wyoming, WY
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This Culinary School Directory will help you find schools, colleges and universities in the USA and get the degree programs & training you need.
We make it easy to request free information and catalogs from Culinary Schools. Simply contact the school through the "request information" links available.
Culinary course curricula vary, and we suggest requesting more information from all institutions, or at least a reasonable number of them. This will allow you to compare their curricula and make the best choice for yourself.
Many of the Culinary universities that you can find in this school directory offer flexible online or on-campus degree programs that adapt to the most current trends and technologies in the fast-paced business world.
The institutions listed in the directory offer world-class instructors that provide high quality training. Further, these schools provide unsurpassed career counseling and opportunities for both students and learning professionals.
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