How To Be A Chef : Summary & Resources

This is the 19th and final step of your guide about how to become a chef.

By now, you should know all that you need to know in order to make the culinary industry your chosen profession.

In this guide you have learned:

• What it takes to be a chef.

• What type of training you need.

• What the working conditions are like.

• What equipment that you will need.

• The varous specialties there are as a chef.

• What you will study in college or university.

• How much money you can expect to pay for tuition.

• How much money you can make as a chef.

• Why you should become an apprentice first.

With this comprehensive guide to becoming a chef, you should by now realize whether or not if it’s right for you.

You have learned what it takes to be a chef, how much work it takes to become a certified chef, and what are the benefits of being a chef.

You have also learned what it is like working in a kitchen environment. If all of this sounds good to you, then all you need is to choose from any of these resources to help you get started.

I have listed Schools, online research links, and more books to help you along the way to becoming the next “Wolfgang Puck” or the equivalent in your country. Happy cooking!

Culinary Schools

Please note that the schools mentioned on this page are well known in the United States and elsewhere in the world. They are by no means the only culinary schools, but they are world class.

All of the information that you will require from these institutes can be found by clicking the links next to each name. That way you will learn the tuition costs, the level of degree that can be attained, and enrollment opportunities.

Culinary Schools in USA

Arizona

Scottsdale Culinary Institute is situated in scenic Scottsdale AZ, with world-reknowned Southwestern restaurants and resorts surrounding its world-class Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts & patisserie and baking training programs. Founded in 1986, students come from around the world to study with their chef-instructors who are dedicated to your education and career openings into the culinary and food service industry. Scottsdale Culinary Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The Culinary Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Educational Institute Accrediting Commission.

California

The California Culinary Academy, founded in 1977, provides the professional training you'll need for a successful career in the culinary and hospitality industry. Learn about their Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Degree Program and their Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program. They also offer Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management Degree course.

California School of Culinary Arts : is a well-known and respected culinary school located in south Pasadena. Founded in 1994, they are approved by the State of California and by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. In partnership with the world famous Le Cordon Bleu, their Culinary Arts Program includes 1200 hours of hands-on lab classes, including a restaurant rotation, and 240 hours of academic classes. All tuition is over the course of four, 12 week terms. The fifth term is spent in a 360 hour externship, designed to provide students with real-life experience in some of the most exciting culinary venues in the world.

Florida

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Miami: Miramar, FL. Are you looking for a culinary school with an international reputation? If so, you can start your career with a degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Miami. The Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Degree Program combines demonstration classes and hands-on, practical courses in professionally equipped, contemporary kitchens. For details, please click the link.

Orlando Culinary Academy in Orlando FL, prepares culinary school students for professional opportunities and career success in the international hospitality industry. They offer an individualized, hands-on education in the classic and modern culinary arts. Their programs include Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking, Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management, and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts.

Georgia

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta in Tucker, GA offer a 15 month Degree Program, of which 12 months on campus plus a 3-month externship where you can apply your skills in a real-world environment. Click the link for details. The Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts provides the training and expertise you'll need to start your career in the culinary industry.

Illinois

The School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College is a nationally acclaimed culinary program. Located in Chicago IL, the school offers associate and bachelor degree programs as well as certificates in baking and pastry, professional catering, professional personal chef and professional cookery. Courses range from introductory skills to management and R&D enabling graduates to succeed in the kitchen, the lab, or the office. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Culinary Federation.

The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, founded in May 1983 by Linda Calafiore, has graduated thousands of professional cooks, bakers, and aspiring chefs who are now staffing some of the most prestigious restaurants in Chicago and the USA. Affiliated with Le Cordon Bleu of Paris since 2000. The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago offers Associates of Applied Sciences Degrees in Culinary Arts as well as Pâtisserie and Baking programs.

Kentucky

Sullivan University, Louisville KY, offers tailored, career-focused programs in the culinary arts. Choose from programs in the Culinary Arts, Professional Catering as well as Diploma programs for Professional Baker and Professional Cook.
 

Minnesota

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Minneapolis/St. Paul has been offering culinary training excellence since 1895. Master classical French techniques. Their 15 months Associate of Applied Sciences, AAS degree, opens new doors to a rewarding enviable career in the culinary arts. You can request more information directly from the school by clicking the above link.

New Hampshire

Atlantic Culinary Academy in Dover, New Hampshire, is Le Cordon Bleu culinary school providing expert, hands-on cooking classes in the culinary arts.

Nevada

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas offers Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts degree program. The Associate of Occupational Science Degree is a culinary arts degree designed to provide the theoretical foundation and technical skills necessary for you to succeed in the food service industry. They also provide Community Education Workshops including their weekend cooking classes for friends and visitors in the Las Vegas area.

New York

Culinary Academy of Long Island is located in Syosset, NY (Long Island). They can help you realize your dream of becoming a chef, caterer, or restaurant manager in just 9 months. All students are exposed to internships in some
of New York’s finest hotels and restaurants. At school, you’ll learn the hands-on skills you need in a new 9,000 square foot facility. You can opt to attend the culinary programs during the day, night, or even weekends.

Oregon

As a student at Western Culinary Institute you can pursue your passion for cooking while living in one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in America - Portland, Oregon - in the Pacific Northwest. There are opportunities for graduates in their culinary arts program, hospitality & restaurant management program, and pâtisserie and baking programs. The prestigious Le Cordon Bleu designation can open doors to a wide range of culinary careers in the United States and abroad.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh PA has been dedicated to the hospitality industry since 1986. Over the past two decades, it has established itself as a place for focused individuals preparing for careers in the culinary arts. Their Culinary Arts program, Pastry Chef Training, and Hospitality & Restaurant Management program continually adapt to the industry’s need for quality education.

Texas

Attend Chef School at Texas Culinary Academy, Austin TX. Partnered with Le Cordon Bleu means you can earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts in as little as 15 months. The program combines classical French techniques with cutting-edge American technology. Your chef school training will expose you to a cross-cultural spirit and the international culinary techniques of more than 25 foreign cuisines.

Culinary Schools in Europe

Switzerland

Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne : is the leading hotel management school offering university level hospitality management training and education in the culinary arts as well as all other aspects of hotel management.

Eire

Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cookery School : probably Ireland's first cooking school offers a range of short certificate cookery courses ranging from 1/2 day to five days. Incidentally, it's also a great place for a friendly, relaxed gourmet hotel vacation.

Online Culinary Training Programs

Culinary Management BS Degree Completion Program.

EducationDirect.com : offer online courses. You can learn the skills you need to succeed in catering and gourmet cooking at home, at your own pace. Their “Quick Learn” method enables you to learn about:
• Food styles involved in catering.
• The gourmet kitchen and the culinary professional.
• Preparing poultry, fish, game, and shellfish.
• Baking and pastry.

Other Useful Chef Sites

Cooking-Schools.us : provides a comprehensive directory of leading cooking schools mainly in the US, together with culinary career information.

United States Personal Chef Association : Will help you learn about the Personal Chef industry and how to become a successful Personal Chef. They also provide a service to those looking to employ a Personal Chef in most areas of the USA.

Personal Chefs Network : is a US based organization providing guidance to start your own Personal Chef service and helps if you are seeking a Personal Chef in your neighborhood.

CulinaryEd.com : offers a useful point and click map allowing you to quickly find cooking and culinary schools anywhere in the USA.

The Culinary Business Academy : is a US based site offering training courses for would be personal chefs, entertainment cooking, catering, as well as for the commercial kitchen.

YourCollegeLife.com : Top ten reasons why you have become a college kid chef.

Books

The Professional Chef (Author: The Culinary Institute of America)

Professional Chef’s Knife Kit (Author: The Culinary Institute of America)

The professional Pastry Chef: The Fundamentals of baking and Pastry (Author: Bo Friberg, with Amy Kemp Friberg)

Soul of a chef: The Journey toward Perfection (Author: Michael Ruhlman)

Culinary Artistry (Author: Andrew Dornenburg & Karen Page)

Garde Manger: The arts and craft of the Cold Kitchen (Author: The Culinary Institute of America)

On Becoming a Professional Chef (Author: Michael Baskette)

One site you may search is http://www.culinary-art.org/ to help you get started.

Bon Appetit!