Several types of schools offer culinary arts programs, including public universities, formal culinary institutions, community colleges and trade schools. Most schools have an on-site, student-staffed restaurant that provides credit for work in the back of the house (kitchen) and the front of house (dining room). Online culinary programs are also available and primarily offer programs in hospitality and hotel management.
Culinary arts schools offer a wide array of degree and certificate programs in various disciplines of the food service industry. Degree programs commonly include bachelor of arts (BA), associate of occupational science (AOS) and culinary arts certification. BA and AOS degrees are awarded in hospitality and hotel management, wine and beverage management, culinary arts, baking and pastry and travel and tourism.
Most culinary schools base their instruction in classical French technique, with supplementary study given to international cuisine, wine and spirits and baking and pastry. Many schools also offer programs dedicated to these related culinary fields. A comprehensive culinary arts program includes classes in fundamental and advanced cooking skills, Mediterranean cuisine, Asian cooking methods, basic and advanced wine studies, food purchasing and cost control, culinary media, meat fabrication and garde manger (the craft of cold preparation). Baking and pastry arts programs include coursework in contemporary and classical cakes, fundamental and advanced baking principles, basic and advanced pastry fabrication, confectionary art, sugar work, ice sculpting, chocolate technique and fundamental and advanced plating and presentation. Hospitality management programs center on the administrative aspect of the culinary arts and includes classes such as economics, restaurant and café operations, organizational behavior, restaurant management, catering management, financial management and principles of design. Culinary schools also require students to complete a 12- to 18-week externship at a school-approved hotel, restaurant or cruise ship.
The cost of tuition varies greatly between schools and program offerings. As of February 2011, the cost of a formal culinary arts education ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 at the community college level, from $3,000 to $18,000 at public universities and from $14,000 to $45,000 at private culinary schools. Most AOS programs last two years, BA programs last four years and culinary arts certifications typically range from nine months to one year.