Boot camps provided by culinary institutes essentially offer students sometimes intensive "basic training" in professional cooking. These boot camps are open to anyone who wants to learn cooking and preparation techniques. However, for anyone who is looking to begin a career as a professional chef or even manage a restaurant, culinary degree boot camps are a great starting point.
Although cooking and food is the main focus of the culinary institute and the boot camps that are offered, there are other aspects of the culinary arts that are part of the program. Individuals enrolled in a culinary degree boot camp will learn how to choose the right ingredients for the dishes being prepared, party-planning methods, techniques in hosting special events, aesthetic preparation of food and a number of other techniques. The purpose of a boot camp is the indoctrination and training of students, especially for those who want to move on to obtaining a degree in the culinary arts.
Culinary institute boot camps are similar to core courses for undergraduate students. Students must learn the basics of all levels of the culinary arts in order to master more advanced courses specific to the type of career they want. Boot camps last as little as two days up to several weeks. Although the length of the boot camp may seem short, a lot of instruction is given with the short time frame. Completion of the boot camp then leads to the type of degree being sought. Many culinary institutes offer a one-year certificate that allows students to enter the field as a chef in a specific concentration, such as pastry chef. Other institutes go a step further by offering two-year associate degrees in a particular concentration. Students can also opt to obtain a degree in culinary management. Each school is different, so it is important to review all the information provided by the school and decide on a career.
There are a number of employment possibilities for those who complete culinary institute boot camps and eventually receive a degree. For most, a position as chef or head cook is the desired profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), the employment opportunities are good for this career field. Still others look toward a career as a food-service manager or restaurant owner. For the former, lower level degrees suffice, while for the latter, at least an associate degree may be needed and in some cases a bachelor's degree in food science or food service management.