Get Culinary Training to Be a Chef or Pastry Chef in Rhode Island
Diminutive Rhode Island—what it loses in size it more than makes up for in food. In a state known more fondly as “The Ocean State,” think “seafood” and lots of it, freshly pulled from the ocean. But you’ll also study and revel in a few intense and inventive culinary hotspots, notably Providence and Newport.
Dive Into the Local Food Scene
A key part of any culinary education should be a personal immersion in the local and regional food scene. Make visits to the local best-reviewed restaurants—upscale and downscale—a vital component of your education. Learn about the most talked about local chefs, what their best dishes are comprised of, what seasonal ingredients are standouts and note the nuances of flavor unique to each and every new area.
Seasonal food and wine festivals in the region are great opportunities for entertainment, but most also offer a concentration of local “best of” restaurants, chefs and popular dishes, homebrewed beer or wines. You may even get in on a few recipe or chef competitions—trendy entertainment in the style of The Food Network’s “Iron Chef.”
- Annual Great Chowder Cook-off, Newport
- Annual Taste of Rhode Island, Newport
- Food For Thought, Providence
Prepare for a Chef’s Career
Consider membership in a local chapter of a leading food service industry association like the American Culinary Federation’s Rhode Island Chapter (Providence). Organizations like this offer networking opportunities, access to private job listings, admission to regional and national conferences and educational events. Meet, socialize, and collaborate with peers, colleagues and other like-minded industry pros all looking to improve their careers with healthy social connections.
Salaries for Rhode Island chefs vary. Average for sous chef in the Providence-Newport area is $44,000. Factors that can drive earnings up or down include: your professional experience, level of education, location, type of establishment, and even your professional reputation.
Rhode Island Culinary Arts Schools
Johnson and Wales University in Providence is this famous culinary college’s main campus. Choose between one-of-a-kind four-year culinary and restaurant management degrees and shorter Associates degrees. JWU emphasizes both kitchen skills and business skills necessary for basic management duties. Celeb chef, Emeril Lagasse, is one of the more visible alumni. Programs of study: Bachelors Baking and Pastry, Bachelors Baking and Pastry/Food Service Management, Bachelors Culinary Nutrition, Bachelors Culinary Arts/Food Service Management, Bachelors Food Service Entrepreneurship, Bachelors Food Marketing, Associates Culinary Arts, and Associates Baking and Pastry Arts.
University of Rhode Island – Kingston