Top Colleges For A Chef

Most chefs learn their culinary skills through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and real experience working in kitchens.

A college degree in culinary arts is not mandatory for you to become and to grow as a chef. In the food industry you will find chefs, across all seniority levels, some having a culinary degree as well as some who do not have a culinary degree but doing equally well.

However, a college degree in culinary arts can be helpful.

• A culinary arts degree will provide you a strong foundation in the knowledge and skills required for a chef including food preparation, food safety, kitchen operations, and the science of food.
• A culinary arts degree will provide you a network of connections in the industry which will help you find better job opportunities, mentorships, and helps you to keep up with industry trends
• A culinary arts degree will open up better job opportunities, with better pay, in better restaurants. Some restaurants give preference to chefs with a formal culinary degree.
• A culinary arts degree will help you change your career path if you decide to later - open your own restaurant, manage a kitchen, or become a food scientist or food consultant.

Most colleges and universities offer following degree levels for culinary arts.

Associate Degree - Associate degree is the most popular and accepted degree in the food industry. Consider getting an Associate degree to become or to grow as a chef.

Bachelor's Degree - Some colleges offer Bachelor's degree's in the food field. A Bachelor's degree may not have any advantage over an Associate degree in a chef's career. Consider getting a master's degree if you want to expand your career to hotel or restaurant management, or a food scientist or consultant.

Graduate/Masters Degree - You will not require a master's degree just to become a chef. Consider getting a master's degree if you want to expand your career to hotel or restaurant management, or as a food scientist or consultant.

There are a few common culinary majors offered by colleges and universities.

• Culinary Arts
• Pastry and Baking Arts
• Restaurant and Culinary Management
• Hospitality and Hotel Management