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Chef and head cook career growth is expected to grow by about 9 percent from 2014-2024. Therefore, this often is a wise path to choose for anyone who wants to work with food. Persons who graduate from various culinary programs could work in a variety of settings such as a restaurant, hotel, or private home. When affordability of tuition balances out with quality of education, that would most make a school the right one for you to perfect the art of cooking entrees, side dishes, desserts and more. Other aspects such as whether or not you would prefer the city or country setting and what style of food you want to prepare also matters. Choose among the top schools carefully because your future in the culinary field depends on it. Check out these amazing school: Culinary Institute of America, Le Cordon Bleu, New England Culinary Institute, International Culinary Center

Top Four Culinary Schools

  • Culinary Institute of America
  • Le Cordon Bleu
  • New England Culinary Institute
  • International Culinary Center

Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America, or CIA, has masterfully churned out some of the most pronounced chefs, including some now on reality TV. This school offers programs for students in multiple locations such as Hyde Park, New York and St. Helena, California. This school could help you prepare for employment whether you prefer baking or would like to become one of the next top dinner chefs.

Highlights

  • Best school for serious culinary enthusiasts
  • 21-month Associate’s or 38 month Bachelor’s programs
  • 13- to 15-month programs for existing professional chefs and pastry chefs

Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu, another one of the world’s leading culinary art institutes, provides world class culinary training nationwide. At Le Cordon Bleu, inspiring chefs will learn the master techniques of French culinary, which you’ve undoubtedly witnessed by famous graduates: Julia Child, Ming Tsai, Dione Lucas, and more. Classes are both online and offline, and training is provided in multiple locations. This school was first established about 100 years ago.

Highlights

  • Bachelor’s, Associate’s, or certificate restaurant management degrees
  • Culinary management, hospitality, patisserie, baking, or culinary arts programs
  • Campuses across America and online courses available

New England Culinary Institute

The New England Culinary Institute is a culinary lover’s dream—at least former graduates Alton Brown and Heather Terhune think so. This especially unique program includes an extra campus in Essex Vermont. Both short- and long-term internship opportunities are offered. After graduating here, you could become another elite chef just like the ones who have gone before you.

Highlights

  • Chance to train at a four-diamond culinary inn and resort
  • Residencies and restaurant internships
  • Three-year program with six-month or two-year internships

International Culinary Center

Aspiring chefs seeking fulfillment in Italian Cuisine, Bread Baking, Farm-To-Table, Cake Design, Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, Wine Studies, or Culinary Entrepreneurship, are sure to find this and more at the International Culinary Center. In addition, ICC graduates have been known to complete the program with the confidence, credentials, and global connections for a rewarding career. After you graduate, you maybe would join former graduates Jacques Pepin, Jose Andres, and others.

Highlights

  • Award winning culinary center with a small-teacher-to-student ratio
  • Individual stations and renowned original curriculum
  • Culinary diploma or degree

Conclusion

Location of a restaurant, hotel or other establishment where you aspire to work might also influence your choice of school. However, you also could expand your horizons if you are willing to relocate to receive your training and bring home a new set of skills as you follow your passion.