Students learn to measure, mix, season and cook food. The students spend 80 percent of their time in the kitchen with the rest lecture. An internship in a commercial kitchen outside of school is usually required.
Courses include creating, planning and pricing menus. Classes covering food, beverage and labor costs, profitability and other business aspects of cooking may also be required. Students also study nutrition and common food allergies.
Potential chefs should understand the challenging working conditions--heat, small space, long hours on their feet, weekends and evenings, before investing in culinary education. Some prior work experience is desirable.
TV personality Gordon Ramsay also chef/owner of Ramsay's in London, Top Chef host Tom Colicchio, and Ferran Adrià chef/owner of El Bulli in Spain learned on their own and on the job.
"Get experience from different types of restaurants. You need volume, banquet, casual, fine dining and even fast food experience. Work a couple of years but don't stay in any one place too long. Overseas experience is great," Executive Chef Vesa Leppala recommends.
Beyond future job security, a grasp of food preparation is a skill beneficial to anyone. Chef Kaysen adds, "When you are able to follow your dream, the possibilities become endless."