Although not all successful chefs have formal
training, a culinary school can give you a leg up in your career. While hard work
can take you far, culinary training provides the technical skills and tools
that can give you an edge in what is an extremely competitive field. In
addition, it gives you the mental discipline needed to work in the pressure
cooker that a busy kitchen can become.
Below are some of the best cooking schools in
the world to give you a taste of what's out there. The school you choose will depend
on your cooking philosophy and the type of food you want to cook. No matter
which school you decide to attend, the key to success is learning as much as
you can and applying it.
Le Cordon Bleu,
France
The world's largest and arguably most
well-known as one of the best cooking schools in the world, Le Cordon Bleu, was
established in France in 1895. With campuses across the globe, London, Madrid,
Tokyo, Australia, Canada, and more, the school offers the Grand Diploma
program, a comprehensive study of classic French culinary skills. This program
is considered one of the best ways to prepare for different career options.
Aspiring chefs can specialize in cuisine, pastry, nutrition, wine and spirits,
and nutrition. This large international network of campuses offers numerous
opportunities around the world.
Culinary Institute
of America, USA
The first culinary school in the US and now
one of the top culinary schools in the world, the Culinary Institute of America
(CIA) moved to what is now its main campus in Hyde Park, NY, in 1972. In
addition to the Hyde Park location, the CIA now has campuses in California,
Texas, and Singapore. The school offers shorter certificate and associate
degree programs as well as complete, four-year bachelor's programs. Degrees are
awarded in applied food science, culinary science, hospitality management, and
food business management. Students get hands-on experience at the campus
restaurants open to the public.
The School of
Artisan Food, UK
Located in Welbeck, UK, The School of Artisan
Food teaches the slow art of creating artisan food. It offers courses in bread
making, cheese making, charcuterie, butchery, brewing, and preserving, to name
just a few. Associated with Nottingham University, the school is renowned
worldwide for teaching unique, traditional skills.
Culinary Arts
Academy, Switzerland
Founded in 1991, the Culinary Arts Academy
features campuses in Lucerne and Le Bouveret, Switzerland. One of the most
respected culinary schools in the world, the Culinary Arts Academy offers
programs in kitchen skills and entrepreneurship. With only 300 enrolled
students, classes are small, and students get tons of personal attention from
top-notch instructors. There are internship opportunities available from the
Ritz Escoffier and Ritz Paris.
Culinary Institute
of Barcelona, Spain
Culinary Institute of Barcelona nurtures
innovation and creativity in aspirational restaurant leaders. The school
rejects the traditional methodology of teaching recipes and focuses on product,
technique, and context to teach future chefs how to innovate, problem-solve,
and adapt to unexpected circumstances and ingredients so that they can produce
a delicious meal no matter what is thrown at them.
Institute of
Culinary Education
Founded in 1975 and originally called Peter
Kump's New York Cooking School, the Institute of Culinary Education holds 1,500
classes a year covering subjects such as culinary arts, pastry and baking,
hospitality management, and culinary management at all skill levels. It also
offers continuing education and recreational courses.
Ferrandi, Paris,
France
Teaching and training chefs for almost 100
years, Ferrandi offers a wide range of programs, from vocational courses to
master's degrees. The school's educational philosophy blends traditional
classroom work, kitchen learning, and real-world experience in local
restaurants and hotels.
Hattori Nutrition
College, Tokyo, Japan
Taking a unique approach, Hattori Nutrition
College not only teaches culinary skills but also focuses on nutrition, health,
the healing potential of food, and how it can benefit people. Students will
train to be chefs who not only create delicious dishes but are also mindful of
health, safety, and the environment.
Auguste Escoffier
School of Culinary Arts, USA
Named after world-famous Auguste Escoffier,
the eponymous culinary school has campuses in Boulder, Colorado, and Austin, Texas.
Escoffier revolutionized the culinary world by formally training chefs and by
developing a la carte menus. The school teaches Escoffier's exacting French
Techniques and espouses his philosophy of discipline. Following the
farm-to-table method, the school covers where food comes from and encourages
its students to respect sustainable practices and local food sources.
A working kitchen is a fast-paced environment, making a culinary career exciting and rewarding. Training at a top culinary school gives you the tools for success and a foundation that will serve you well in your first job and as you advance in the field.
