Four-Year Bachelors Programs for Student Chefs

Two schools of thought diverge in the culinary education world: some schools emphasize a well-rounded liberal arts education, while others stand staunchly committed to accelerated study programs.

The types of majors you might find in a four-year culinary arts school include:

• Culinary arts
• Culinary arts management
• Baking and pastry arts
• Restaurant and hospitality management

If you’re determined to earn a conventional college degree while pursuing your passion for cooking you’ll not be disappointed by the options available for schools. One of the most well-known liberal arts programs for chefs is available through Johnson and Wales University located on four different campuses across the country. But there are others.

Get a College Education and Get Trained to Be a Chef

A Bachelors degree is a four-year educational investment, a traditional American college degree. While this type of time investment may be a detriment to some students, for others this type of education translates to a better job and more career respect. In a bachelors degree designed to educate next generation chefs, You major in culinary arts, but you also receive coursework in traditional liberal arts courses, including the arts, humanities, physical and life sciences, math and physical education.

Culinary Skills in a Bachelors Degree Program

Essential skills you get in a four-year culinary arts or bakery and pastry arts degree:

• Major cuisines
• Knife, cutlery and kitchen equipment techniques
• Styles of cooking
• Menu development
• Types of ingredients, choosing and buying
• Food sanitation and hygiene
• Inventory cost control

Culinary Schools that provide Bachelors degrees typically also include as part of your education some of the following:

• Restaurant management
• Wine, Beer and Spirit cost control
• Hospitality management

Culinary Careers for Bachelors Degreed Chefs

The general idea behind a four-year degree in culinary or baking arts is to prepare you to hit the ground running in your field. While others fresh from certificate programs may know how to handle the kitchen cutlery, you have experience in kitchen supervision, working a variety of cooking stations and may even have applied experience managing the operations of a student-run restaurant.

Shop for schools that offer you career placement assistance and those that have forged strong industry relationships with local or nationwide employers.