The Culinary Arts Industry

If you have ever wondered what the culinary arts industry is, you may know more about it than you think. The culinary arts industry is all about the art of cooking. Culinary artists are chefs or other food service professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled in the art of preparing meals. Top culinary artists are adept at creating meals that are pleasing to the palate, as well as the eye.

While low-paying culinary industry positions (waitress, short-order cook, etc.) are readily available to individuals with a high school education or lower, higher paying positions typically require a degree in culinary arts industry from a school of higher education.

Traditional Culinary Arts Career Paths

Traditional culinary positions are most often found in restaurants, hotels and other facilities that serve food. Three of the most popular career paths in the culinary arts industry are:

• Caterers: In this position, people prepare food for events such as parties, weddings and corporate gatherings. Experience in the food industry and tutelage from an experienced caterer are both beneficial. A culinary arts degree can help those interested obtain an entry-level catering position. Average salary for experienced caterers is $53,000.
• Chefs: This culinary position requires food preparation, management of kitchen staff and menu planning. A 2-year or 4-year culinary arts degree is beneficial, though not a requirement. Average salary is $30,000 to $60,000, depending on experience.
• Restaurant Managers: Managers of restaurants oversee and coordinate restaurant functions. Higher-level positions require a degree from an accredited trade school or university. Average salary is $39,000 to $49,000.

Non-Traditional Culinary Arts Career Paths

There are literally thousands of unique career paths available in the culinary arts industry. Here are a few of the more interesting jobs to choose from:

• Culinary arts teachers work in trade schools and colleges teaching future culinary professionals the basics of the culinary arts. Average salary is about $30,000.
• Dieticians teach proper eating habits and suggest ways their patients can stay healthy. Average salary is about $46,000.
• Flavor chemists produce synthetic flavors and assist in production of packaged food. Average salary ranges from $35,000 to $85,000 depending on education and experience.
• Food critics review restaurants for news publications and other media outlets. Average salary is $40,000.

How to Choose a Culinary School

As the food and hospitality industries continue to grow, more and more culinary degree programs are being offered by trade schools and universities. The first thing to consider when selecting the right degree program for you is your personal career goals. Determine what culinary arts position you ultimately want, and then look for a quality school that offers a specialized program that caters to your needs.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential culinary schools, visit and compare a few of your choices to make sure the facilities, philosophy and program is a good fit with what you're looking for. It is also important to make sure the school you ultimately decide on is accredited.

If cost is an issue, consult the school's financial aid office for info on possible scholarships or grants for which you may be eligible. You can also apply for federal or state student loans to help with the cost of attending culinary school.

Top Culinary Arts Schools

With more than 500 culinary arts schools available to choose from, it may be hard to find the best degree program for your needs. Here are a few of the most notable culinary arts schools that may be worth investigating:

• The Art Institution has 32 locations across America. These schools offer culinary arts programs that teach practical and fundamental kitchen skills, as well as business fundamentals of the industry.
• The Culinary Institute of America has locations in Hyde Park, New York and California's Napa Valley. These schools offer Associate and Bachelor's programs for culinary arts and baking/pastry arts.
• Johnson and Wales University has campuses in Providence, Miami, Denver and Charlotte. At any of its locations, this school offers Associate's degrees in culinary arts and baking/pastry arts, as well as Bachelor's degrees in culinary arts, baking/pastry arts, culinary nutrition, food service entrepreneurship, food marketing and food service management.
• Le Cordon Bleu offers International campuses throughout the world, with several locations in the United States. The degree programs offered specializes in French cuisine education and hotel and restaurant.

If you have ever wondered what the culinary arts industry is, you may know more about it than you think. The culinary arts industry is all about the art of cooking. Culinary artists are chefs or other food service professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled in the art of preparing meals. Top culinary artists are adept at creating meals that are pleasing to the palate, as well as the eye.

While low-paying culinary industry positions (waitress, short-order cook, etc.) are readily available to individuals with a high school education or lower, higher paying positions typically require a degree in culinary arts industry from a school of higher education.

Traditional Culinary Arts Career Paths

Traditional culinary positions are most often found in restaurants, hotels and other facilities that serve food. Three of the most popular career paths in the culinary arts industry are:

• Caterers: In this position, people prepare food for events such as parties, weddings and corporate gatherings. Experience in the food industry and tutelage from an experienced caterer are both beneficial. A culinary arts degree can help those interested obtain an entry-level catering position. Average salary for experienced caterers is $53,000.
• Chefs: This culinary position requires food preparation, management of kitchen staff and menu planning. A 2-year or 4-year culinary arts degree is beneficial, though not a requirement. Average salary is $30,000 to $60,000, depending on experience.
• Restaurant Managers: Managers of restaurants oversee and coordinate restaurant functions. Higher-level positions require a degree from an accredited trade school or university. Average salary is $39,000 to $49,000.

Non-Traditional Culinary Arts Career Paths

There are literally thousands of unique career paths available in the culinary arts industry. Here are a few of the more interesting jobs to choose from:

• Culinary arts teachers work in trade schools and colleges teaching future culinary professionals the basics of the culinary arts. Average salary is about $30,000.
• Dieticians teach proper eating habits and suggest ways their patients can stay healthy. Average salary is about $46,000.
• Flavor chemists produce synthetic flavors and assist in production of packaged food. Average salary ranges from $35,000 to $85,000 depending on education and experience.
• Food critics review restaurants for news publications and other media outlets. Average salary is $40,000.

How to Choose a Culinary School

As the food and hospitality industries continue to grow, more and more culinary degree programs are being offered by trade schools and universities. The first thing to consider when selecting the right degree program for you is your personal career goals. Determine what culinary arts position you ultimately want, and then look for a quality school that offers a specialized program that caters to your needs.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential culinary schools, visit and compare a few of your choices to make sure the facilities, philosophy and program is a good fit with what you're looking for. It is also important to make sure the school you ultimately decide on is accredited.

If cost is an issue, consult the school's financial aid office for info on possible scholarships or grants for which you may be eligible. You can also apply for federal or state student loans to help with the cost of attending culinary school.

Top Culinary Arts Schools

With more than 500 culinary arts schools available to choose from, it may be hard to find the best degree program for your needs. Here are a few of the most notable culinary arts schools that may be worth investigating:

• The Art Institution has 32 locations across America. These schools offer culinary arts programs that teach practical and fundamental kitchen skills, as well as business fundamentals of the industry.
• The Culinary Institute of America has locations in Hyde Park, New York and California's Napa Valley. These schools offer Associate and Bachelor's programs for culinary arts and baking/pastry arts.
• Johnson and Wales University has campuses in Providence, Miami, Denver and Charlotte. At any of its locations, this school offers Associate's degrees in culinary arts and baking/pastry arts, as well as Bachelor's degrees in culinary arts, baking/pastry arts, culinary nutrition, food service entrepreneurship, food marketing and food service management.
• Le Cordon Bleu offers International campuses throughout the world, with several locations in the United States. The degree programs offered specializes in French cuisine education and hotel and restaurant management.
• New England Culinary Institute has campuses in Montpelier, Vermont and Essex Junction, Vermont. Certificate and Associate degrees are offered in culinary arts, baking/pastry arts and hospitality and restaurant management.