Choosing a Cooking School in the District of Columbia

It should be no mystery why going into the food service industry in DC is so popular. Here is the seat of America, a huge bustling tourism industry, international diplomats and politicos, major military organizations and a few of the country’s top universities nearby. The culinary industry is thriving. Better yet it’s also the home of the President of the United States AND the White House Executive Chef and Executive Pastry Chef—THE pinnacle of the industry.

Hospitality Industry Demand

The schools available in the District of Columbia proper generally focus on hospitality and nutrition studies. But one of the most prestigious culinary arts institutes is nearby: The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes of Washington. But even here the degree tracks emphasize both culinary arts/skills in combination with the food and beverage industry. Here, perhaps more than any other, is the need for highly qualified hospitality grads.

DC has hundreds of hotels from cheap and budget to those with rooms for many hundreds of dollars and even thousands of dollars. And the restaurant scene is no different—you may be a next gen executive or sous chef at one of the very best restaurants in the city.

Survey the Culinary Scene

And a thorough survey of the city’s culinary scene should be on your academic “to-do” list. For example, it’s safe to say some of the best chefs in the world are right here in a concentrated area. Sample their best fare, dissect the inventive menus and learn what seasonal and native ingredients make up the backbone of a chef’s specialty.

If sampling the best menus in DC murders your budget try visiting a few of the regional food festivals. These annual events usually feature loads of “best of” restaurants, chef’s best dishes, wine tastings, handcrafted beers and even some exciting recipe cook-offs and competitions:

• DC International Wine and Food Festival
• Sweet Charity
• Annual Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle

Tips for Job Searching

The local DC food service industry scene is competitive so expect to graduate to an entry-level job, possibly earning minimum wage or a bit more. But this is not unusual in an industry that builds careers on passion and hard work. If you sharpen your skills, are a good team player and leader with the right amount of ambition and motivation you may advance rapidly. Good news is that salaries tend to be higher in DC. For example, average salary for a sous chef is $51,000.

List of DC Area Cooking Schools

International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes of Washington in Arlington boasts one of the most in-demand culinary and pastry arts programs in the country. Learn international cuisines and culinary techniques, have the chance to hone your skills and learn from accomplished chef/instructors. Degrees on the DC campus: Bachelors Culinary Arts Management, Bachelors Food and Beverage Management, Associates Culinary Arts, Associates Wine, Spirit and Beverage Management, Certificate Culinary Skills, and Certificate Baking and Pastry.

District of Columbia State Colleges, Community and Technical Colleges Offering Culinary, Restaurant Management, and/or Hospitality Degrees

George Washington University – DC
Howard University – DC
University of the District of Columbia - DC