Cook and Go to School

Answer 1

Getting a culinary degree is an important first step for those who want to work as chefs in top-quality restaurants. Culinary jobs are not as easily gotten these days as they have been during times in the past, and a culinary degree gives an aspiring chef an edge over those who don't have the same level of education. Culinary schools typically have placement programs that help new graduates land good jobs.

Working in a traditional restaurant is just one of the things that can be done with a culinary degree. Cruise ships hire culinary school graduates to prepare meals on-board for the passengers and crew. Seasonal resorts hire chefs and other kitchen staff to work in some of the most beautiful locations in the world. Culinary school graduates also often work as personal chefs, preparing and planning meals in the homes of others. Teaching cooking classes is also something that many culinary professionals do. Many culinary school graduates go on to open their own establishments after they gain a few years of experience in other restaurants.

Although culinary schools train their students in all aspects of preparing food, most culinary students specialize in one or two specific areas. Some students have a love of baking and after graduation go on to work as professional bakers and even go into business for themselves. Some culinary students specialize in various regional cuisines such as Pacific Rim, Asian or Mediterranean. Others have a high degree of interest in the nutritional aspects of food and work in the heath care field after graduation or independently as nutritional consultants to private individuals and groups. Culinary writing is an option for those with a flair for working with both words and food.

Most metropolitan areas have at least one good culinary school within their boundaries. Financial aid is often available for students without monetary resources and part time work is fairly easy to obtain for culinary students. Anyone interested in getting a culinary degree should contact a culinary school and ask them for information on how to proceed.