Culinary arts programs can focus on a single cuisine or can introduce student chefs to a wide variety of cuisines. Many programs begin by teaching students the fundamentals of cooking, such as knife skills and other basic techniques. As students progress, they learn about food safety as well as how to plan a menu. Some programs offer courses on nutrition as well. Some programs, such as those at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island and The Restaurant School in Philadelphia, offer traditional four year bachelor's degree programs while others, such as the French Culinary Institute in New York City offer accelerated, nine-month programs in culinary arts.
Students interested in baking can focus on pastry arts at culinary school. Pastry arts programs prepare students to be bakers and pastry chefs at restaurants. Many students go on to open their own bakeries after completing a course of study. Some pastry arts programs are part of a larger culinary arts program while others are individual degree or diploma programs. Some pastry arts programs offer students the opportunity to learn about bread baking. The French Culinary Institute has a separate, eight-week course that introduces students to types of bread from around the world.
People who do not want to become chefs but still want to work in the restaurant and food service industry can decide to enroll in a culinary arts management program. Management programs include cooking and basic culinary arts courses along with courses in business, human resources and hospitality. Students can earn an associate degree or bachelor's in culinary arts management, depending on their goals and what school they attend.
The cost of a culinary art eduction varies depending on the location of the school and the length of the program. Many programs offer scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential. Students can check oyt Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see if they qualify for grants, loans or work study.
In addition to the cost of tuition, some schools make students purchase their knives and chef's pants to wear during class as well as any other materials needed. The cost of tuition also generally does not include a student's living expenses and any fees associated with the program.
A culinary arts education usually prepares students to obtain entry level positions in a kitchen. Students just entering the work force after school can expect to get a job as a line cook, assistant baker or restaurant manager. The number of positions in the restaurant field will increase by about 6 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Competition for jobs may be high, especially for higher paying jobs at fine dining restaurants. The median annual salary for a chef was $42,410 in 2008, according to the BLS. Managers earned a median salary of $50,320 in 2008.