This is step 15 in your multi-part online course about
how to become a qualified chef.
In the previous step we learnt about the benefits and
drawbacks of accredited chef colleges and universities. Now here is a
list of some colleges that do offer chef training:
Le Cordon Bleu at Brown College (Minneapolis
Minnesota)
Westwood College (Denver, Colorado)
Sullivan University (Kentucky)
California Culinary College
Gibbs College (New Jersey)
Kirtland Community College (Michigan)
There are many more colleges that can train you to become a chef, but you
get the idea. Many culinary institutes are just as good as colleges and
Universities, and in some cases better.
In addition, Le Cordon Bleu is a recognized chef school, located
not only in many parts of the USA, but also in Europe, Australia, Japan
and South America.
Culinary academies are basically the same as colleges
and universities. The cost is about the same, but you can get your
credentials in less time at some of them.
Some culinary academies can even get you credited in as little as 9
months.
Culinary Academies often let you live on campus as
part of your tuition, and cover your food costs. They actually train you
while you cook all of your meals. That’s helpful and
practical!
Trade or Vocational Schools
A trade school offers you the chance to get you
accredited as a chef in a shorter time period than colleges can. You
will still learn much about the culinary industry but your classes
are condensed so as to suit a certain time frame.
Trade schools are becoming more and more popular among those who wish to
begin a career as quickly as possible, but there are pros and cons to
choosing a trade school as your means to getting your credentials. Let’s
take a quick look at them:
Benefits and Drawbacks of Vocational or Trade
Schools
| Pros |
|
Cons |
| ► It is much cheaper than college or
culinary institutes. |
|
► You are only accredited in the State
in which you trained. |
| ► You can be certified in less time. |
|
► You still must apprentice somewhere. |
| ► Condensed classes leave more free time. |
|
► Condensed classes neglect some necessary courses. |
| ► You can work at your own pace. |
|
► You can work at your own pace (you may rush yourself). |
| ► You get some hands on experience. |
|
► You have to buy your own equipment separately. |
As you can see, trade schools can help you get your certification, but it leaves out a bit of stuff too.
All in all, trade schools are great for some people as not everyone can afford to invest the money or the time for a full time college, university or culinary academy.
To continue to the next section of your chef training, please click this link: Colleges that offer on-site chef training
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