Cooking Schools Offering Culinary Diplomas

For most of us, cooking is part of everyday life. For a smaller group, it is much more than that. It is a career, a work of art. Culinary experts devote their time to making our dining experiences truly memorable and enjoyable by using their trained skills and talents. Of course, these experts must obtain some type of degree or diploma to be able to do this so well. You should know that there is an overwhelming amount of schools ready to put you on the right path to your culinary diploma or degree. If you are one of these aspiring experts, here is some help to guide to you in the right direction.

Why Choose a Culinary Diploma Program?

Diploma programs available through a culinary arts or cooking school are designed for students on the fast-track, even for serious food enthusiasts. What are some advantages and disadvantages to diploma or professional certificate programs for chefs?

Many student chefs and pastry chefs purposely seek out diploma programs for a couple of reasons:

• Culinary diploma programs can be completed in less than 1 year.
• Provide all the essential skills you need to get an entry-level job in the restaurant industry.
• Many diploma programs are available through some of the best schools, so you get reputation and culinary excellence.

What You Learn in a Culinary Diploma Program

Expect a diploma, certificate or professional chef/cooking program to provide you with essential skills and fundamental culinary techniques. Programs like those in the French Culinary Institute or Kitchen Academy schools depend heavily on specially designed immersion programs. You go to work in student run kitchens from day one and learn while you work—two forces acting on you at once. Plus, you are under the tutelage of working chef/instructors and in some cases visiting chefs whose goal it is to teach you a particular set of skills, menu, or cuisine. Diploma programs can be very intense and demanding for these reasons.

Careers for Diploma Grads Fresh From Cooking School

Top schools for chefs have forged valuable alliances with local and national restaurants, national and international hotels, resorts, spas, and even cruise lines, and corporations. These alliances are built on a school’s teaching reputation, the performance of its graduates and the reputation of celebrity and master chef alumni.

Evaluate any culinary school not only for its curriculum but also for its career placement services. Look for schools that offer:

• Externships and internships with local and national restaurants and hotels.
• Resume and interviewing assistance.
• Job finder help.
• Network alliances with well-known employers in the food service industry.
• A proven record of success placing new grads.

Expect that a diploma in culinary arts, baking and pastry or culinary skills will prepare you for an entry-level position. Remember, many master chefs began their careers as dishwashers or as lowly cooks responsible for chopping vegetables.

Top Schools Offering Culinary Diploma Programs

The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY
The Culinary Institute of America is one of the most popular choices for pursuing a culinary diploma program. Located in Hyde Park, New York, students are only minutes away from the restaurants of the world's most renowned chefs. Students discover New York offers a plethora of culinary jobs upon graduation. At the CIA, culinary students have the world of cooking at their arms. Over 130 professional, renowned chefs teach culinary courses at the CIA. The facilities offer teaching kitchens and restaurants, in order to create a high-quality educational experience. The CIA also offers generous financial aid packages for serious culinary arts students. In exploring culinary diploma program, the Culinary Institute of America is definitely worth researching. Students can discover further information at www.ciachef.edu.

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles, CA
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts has two locations in Pasadena and Hollywood within beautiful Southern California. As a respected school, Le Cordon Bleu has great career placement assistance. Their Career Services Departments help alumni and graduates find exciting culinary jobs all over the country. At Le Cordon Bleu, students begin in gaining a thorough understanding of classical French cooking techniques and terminology. Professional chefs teach the courses at Le Cordon Bleu. Le Cordon Bleu offers an impressive selection of diploma options for students. Students can choose to receive a basic Culinary Arts diploma, or choose a more specialized diploma option. Le Cordon Bleu also offers diplomas in Hospitality & Restaurant Management, as well as a diploma in Pastries & Baking. Students can find more information at www.lecordonbleuprogram-pasadena.com.

Italian Culinary Academy in New York, NY
Perhaps you are a student with Italian heritage, or just truly enjoy the culture of Italian cuisine. Then the Italian Culinary Academy is the perfect option for you. Located in SoHo, students live within one of New York's hippest cities. Students are trained specifically in Italian cuisine at this great bastion of Italian cuisine. Whether students are learning how to make perfect ravioli or create the perfect pizza, students can expect to walk out of the Italian Culinary Academy with a strong foundation in cooking traditional Italian cuisine. Students can find more information about this wonderful culinary academy at www.italianculinaryacademy.com.

Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, TX
The Texas Culinary Academy is a part of the renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary programs. Students receive a classical culinary education, also combined with the most cutting-edge, modern techniques in cuisine. Austin, Texas, is truly one of the best cities to live in the country. Students can rest assure they will be living in one of the best cities, as it has been ranked the #1 best city to live in by Money Magazine. With such a strong music scene, there are a plethora of interesting opportunities waiting for chefs to cater at music venues and events. From the Texas Culinary Academy, students go on to do great things. On its website, the Texas Culinary Academy offers profiles of its successful graduates. Graduates go on to work for major corporations like Whole Foods. Some students also choose to stay in Texas and work at elite restaurants like Aquarelle or The Oasis. Students can receive more information about the Texas Culinary Academy at www.chefs.edu/austin.

French Culinary Institute in New York, NY
At the French Culinary Institute, culinary students can truly delve into their favorite cuisine, by learning the art of breadmaking or other french cuisine. The FCI offers an intense educational experience, preparing students by immersing them in the fundamentals of Western Cooking. Through its "Total Immersion" educational program, students can graduate in six to nine months and find jobs in the culinary field immediately following. Alumni from the French Culinary Institute include world-famous Bobby Flay. With classes beginning every six weeks, the FCI offers a flexible culinary program that can cater to students' schedules. For more information, go to www.frenchculinary.com and discover what is in store for you at the FCI.

Orlando Culinary Academy in Orlando, FL
Le Cordon Bleu offers another one of its famous culinary programs through the Orlando Culinary Academy in Orlando, Florida. Not much beats learning from the best chefs and basking in Florida's beautiful sun on the weekends. The on-site, student-run restaurant offers students a great, practical way to gain experience in the culinary field before graduation. The facilities at the Orlando campus are truly amazing. With state of the art appliances and kitchens, students can be rest assured they are learning in one of the most technologically-advanced culinary programs in the country. Visit www.chefs.edu/orlando for more information about the Orlando Culinary Academy.

New England Culinary Institute in Monpelier, VT
If you love the idea of hanging out in New England, then you will love what the New England Culinary Institute has to offer its students. What makes the NECI a great option to consider is the plethora of scholarships it offers prospective students. The NECI prepares its students for a variety of career paths. Students go on to be everything from food writers and critics to pastry chefs. Some of the various scholarships students can apply for at the NECI are the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Culinary Excellence Scholarship, or the New Endeavors Scholarship. The "Excellence" Scholarships require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, which is good news for scholarships totalling $5,000. The school offers two other scholarships entitled the "Life Long Learner" Scholarship and the "Industry Professional" Scholarship. The requirements for these awards are different, but they still total $5,000. Check out the NECI's website for more information on scholarships at www.neci.edu. The NECI is worth a good look for prospective students.

Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Scottsdale, AZ
The Scottsdale Culinary Institute offers a truly breath taking campus for its students. The open air and majestic mountains are simply gorgeous. More than scenery, the Scottsdale Culinary Institute offers a world-class program through the renowned Le Cordon Bleu. The Scottsdale Culinary Institute offers two locations for its educational programs. The city of Scottsdale is one of the most vibrant cultural meccas in the country. With a radiant night life, there are plenty of restaurant opportunities for students to take advantage of in this great city. Visit www.chefs.edu/scottsdale for more information on the Scottsdale Culinary Institute.

L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD
L'Academie de Cuisine is just as spectacular as its name. What began in 1976, was a Culinary School founded in Switzerland which then brought its educational flair to the United States. The school offers two different programs, one for professional students seeking careers in the culinary arts and another for recreational students seeking to expand an enjoyment for cooking. The L'Academie de Cuisine also offers students a comprehensive Career Center focusing on the job placement for students. On its website, L'Academie also offers students a job board specifically for L'Academie students. Students can also post their resumes online through L'Academie's Career Center, offering students the perfect way to market their skills to future employers. For recreational students looking to learn fine cuisine as a hobby, L'Academie offers amazing opportunities as well. In "Participation Classes," students can prepare a menu and enjoy some hands-on learning. Whether you are a serious prospective culinary student or recreational student, be sure to go to L'Academie's website for more information. Check out www.lacademie.com and you will not be disappointed.

California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, CA
Another wonderful school offered through Le Cordon Bleu, is the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. It doesn't get much better than learning newest cutting-edge culinary techniques, and then hitting up the Pacific ocean after class for a swim. San Francisco is a wonderful location, with restaurants and ever-expanding job opportunities to offer culinary students.

Offering the best in high quality, career-minded culinary training since 1977, California Culinary Academy is the place to earn the much-desired Le Cordon Bleu and Culinary Arts Associate's Degree. The best part is that you can earn this degree in as little as 18 months. Financial aid and career placement are available to all who qualify as well.

With a new 100,00 square-foot facility on Potrero Hill, students can enjoy studying in a safe area and take advantage of the magnificent facility offerings. The modern architecture of the new facility is truly stunning. Whether you are earning your degree in Hospitality & Restaurant Management, or the Patisserie and Baking program, you can enjoy the freedom to choose from many fields of culinary study at the California Culinary Academy. Stop by the website today to learn more at www.chefs.edu.

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Phoenix
First on the list is the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Phoenix. This school offers three different culinary programs, including: Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, and Culinary Management. The Art Institute of Phoenix has over 40 sister schools across the nation, and is surrounded by a mostly warm climate and lots of attractions.

Institute of Technology
The Institute of Technology has three different locations for your convenience. Clovis, Modesto, and Roseville are where you will find some great culinary advancement opportunities. Here you can earn your Culinary Specialist, or Culinary Professional Diploma. These two differ because the Culinary Specialist Diploma can be completed as a prerequisite to the Culinary Professional Diploma. A Diploma as a Baking and Pastry Specialist is available in addition.

The Art Institute of California
The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California is located in Santa Ana. This school offers programs in the Art of Cooking, Baking and Pastry, Culinary Arts, and Culinary Management. Known as the largest school system in North America, and sister to the previously mentioned Art Intstitute, The Art Institutes consist of 40 different locations. However, some degree programs may vary by location.

Lincoln College of Technology
Diplomas and Associate Degrees are available at this school, located in West Palm Beach, FL. Hands-on training and fast track programs designed to help you excel as a culinary professional make this school well-known and unique. This school has provided qualified professionals for over 60 years.

YTI Career Institute
The YTI Career Institute in Lancater, PA is commited to providing students with the fundamentals necessary to be a successful culinary expert. YTI currently offers a Diploma in Pastry Arts as well as an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. The 52,000 square-foot campus was remodeled recently to add four kitchen labs and 2,000 square feet of demonstration room to the new culinary division.

Stratford University
Stratford University of Virginia is accredited by the American Culinary Federation, and has plenty of degree options for culinary students. Among these are the Professional Diploma in Advanced Culinary Arts, Associate in Applied Science in Advanced Culinary Arts, and the Associate in Applied Science in Baking & Pastry Arts. With excellent graduation and placement rates, Stratford could be the right school for you.

The Art Institute of Seattle
Discover a world of possibilities at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Seattle.You can choose from these basic culinary programs: The Art of Cooking, Baking & Pastry, Culinary Arts, and Culinary Arts Management. Student loans, grants, and work studies are available to those who qualify.Come visit this school anytime, along with the home of Microsoft and Starbucks.

Oregon Culinary Institute
Learn the skills necessary to run your own bakery or restaurant in less than one year. Oregon Culinary Institute sits on a magnificent 13,000 square-foot campus located in Portland, OR. Available to you are several degree programs: Baking and Pastry Diploma, Baking and Pastry Management Associate in Applied Science Degree, Culinary Arts Diploma, Culinary Management Associate in Applied Science Degree, Restaurant Management Diploma, and last, but not least is the Restaurant Management Associate in Applied Science Degree. All are wonderful experiences to further you on your career path, so take your pick.

Lincoln College of New England
Lincoln College of New England is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Here you can earn an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts or Culinary Management. While being the only school in Conneticut to offer culinary arts degree programs, Lincoln College of New England strives for the best in student life, activities, and socialization to provide a relaxed, friendly environment for everyone.

Summary

The list could go on forever. As you can see, there is more than an abundance of schools to choose from. The Art Institutes are great because they are so widely known with no shortage of locations. Some state Universities are great, too. They work well for those already in the state or area not planning to re-locate, temporarily or permanently. Of course, choosing from this detailed list of culinary degree and diploma programs may not be easy. Whatever you decide, you are sure to excel with pride.