The Art Institutes are a group of colleges spread throughout the nation, each offering courses in media arts, design, fashion and culinary arts. Students at the Art Institute of Atlanta in Georgia have a variety of culinary education tracks to choose from: three associate of arts degrees, two bachelor of science degrees and two diplomas. The associate of arts degrees are in general culinary arts, culinary arts with a focus on baking and pastry and a wine, spirits and beverage management program. Bachelor of science students fall into two management-based categories: culinary arts and food and beverage. And the two diploma tracks are general programs in culinary arts skills and baking and pastry.
The Art Institute of Atlanta
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N.E.
100 Embassy Row
Atlanta, GA 30328
artinstitutes.edu/atlanta/
770-394-8300
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts was founded more than 100 years ago in France. Today, there are Le Cordon Bleu campuses worldwide, one of which is in Dallas, Texas. Numerous culinary arts disciplines receive emphasis at the institute, including specific levels of cuisine, from initiative to superior, patisserie, hospitality management and kitchen operations. Students looking to obtain diplomas, certificates, undergraduate degrees or even master’s level degrees can do so at Le Cordon Bleu. The school promises the ultimate training in gastronomy, cuisine, pastry and management.
Le Cordon Bleu
11830 Webb Chapel Road
Dallas, TX 75234
888-676-5222
lecordonbleudallas.com
Birmingham, Ala.’s Culinard, or the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, does not offer as many program options as some other schools, but Culinard claims to make up for that in quality. Its American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission-approved culinary arts program includes extensive practical training in the fundamentals and advanced levels of culinary art, in addition to an externship under the supervision of certified chefs. The pastry arts program provides both an externship and daily instruction in a working kitchen environment. Those focused more on employment and corporate advancement gravitate toward the school’s associate of arts program in culinary arts.
Culinary Institute of Virginia College
65 Bagby Drive
Birmingham, AL?
205-271-8228?
culinard.com
The University of South Carolina in Columbia offers a culinary arts education program at its Culinary Institute at Carolina. The courses are targeted toward home and hobby chefs, those wishing to start a career in food preparation or seasoned professionals looking to hone their skills. The coursework is specific to both fundamental and advanced levels of culinary arts and includes such diverse topics as the skills of meat cutting, new-world cuisine and sanitation management.
Culinary Institute at Carolina
902 Sumter Street
Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-8225
culinaryusc.org