Chef Schools Blog

Archive for November, 2009

Check this out

http://www.cookingschools.com/cities/vancouver-cooking-schools-institutes.html

So, I’m making a bit of a huge turn in my life… I’ve been going to school for 4 years to become a wildlife biologist before I finally realized that gourmet food is my true passion. But I have a few questions before I finalize my decision…

Where are the best culinary schools in the California (or the western US), and how difficult are they to get into? If I want to get a good job, do I really have to find a way to pay for one of the schools in Spain or France?

How hard is it to get a job at a 5-star restaurant? I know people who have gotten their culinary degrees, and ended up at some mom n’ pop country kitchen kind of place. Is it because you have to be extremely good to work in these top of the line kitchens? Or do people not try hard enough?

I want to work with foie grois, not french fries.

I know I’m being pretty vague, but I think someone that’s been through all this could really help me out.

I went to catering college in Ireland, where I learned the basics of the culinary art. The college I was in, gave us work placements, and from there it was up to us.
As a commis chef, don’t expect to be dealing with foie grás within the first year. You will end up doing the menial jobs, like veg prep.
Work hard, and be willing to learn, and and opportunities will come

I’m a 3rd year high school. I’m wondering if I should study to ISCAHM after high school. My seatmate and I were talking about it a while ago, she said that I must study in college of St. Benilde first before studying in ISCAHM. So does that mean that I will study 4 years in St. Benilde and 2 years in ISCAHM? I wanna get prepared for college. Hope someone could give me a really helpful advice. Thank you!

Take culinary courses at school, go to culinary school after, lol try out for Top Chef or hell’s Kitchen?

There are a number of technical schools that you can go to in Florida to get that training, but they all require that you have a high school diploma or GED or have passed the TABE test. There are also two private culinary colleges in Miami that I know of. They also require a HS diploma or equivalent. Go to FACTS.org and do a search. All the information you need about higher education and technical training in Florida is on that site.

I live in Phoenix AZ.
i want to work in a restaurant i don’t care what i do at it just as long as im near the food so i can see and hear what goes on in the kitchen.
going to go to Scottsdale Culinary Institute.one of the prestigious schools.
Im very hard working
Please help me and thank you for your time

Apply at all of the best restaurants in town, and if you get an interview, tell the executive chef of your dreams and goals and take a job if offered. You’ll probably start in the dish tank or bussing. Regardless of what you do, do the absolutely best job you can and shine! Make sure the executive chef and the sous chefs and the kitchen manager all notice you for your work ethic and your enthusiasm. Try to learn what you can in the restaurant, and keep up your school work at SCI. Eventually, you will get moved up and start prepping or perhaps one of the main stations (meat, fish, appetizers, garnish, etc). Just never give up, ask the chefs for tips and pointers, and make sure the top chef knows you will do anything to make his (or her) restaurant better.

Also, when I get my degree what is the best approach to open up my own bakery? I have noticed there is not much bakeries out here everybody usually goes to Publix (a supermarket) or walmart. See if I open up one I would start out with wedding cakes since they are custom made. Then hopefully from there I will expand and make for other occasions.

Ask the baker where you are working now where he or she went to school.
And if you have no one to ask because you have never had a bakery job, Go out and get one.
It’s a very hard job and you should be sure you like it before you spend your money on school.

Making cakes at home is WAY different.

Good Luck!

plz let me know what do i need to open a cooking school.. what certificates i need in order to be able to teach cooking? R there any Cooking Schools in England (london, birmingham, great yarmouth, nottingham, plymouth, brighton) that i can gain that certificate or diploma?

determination,optimism………….don,t give up on your dream…I don,t know the detail,s of the legality,s…..but keep asking around…..someone will be able to provide your answer,s……….cooking is fast becoming a lost art….we need people like you to carry on the art of fine cooking…..good luck!

The college of my choice will end up costing between 30,000-35,000 a year. http://www.ciachef.edu/admissions/finaid/tuition.asp

Worst case scenario, which probably isn’t THAT likely, I get no financial aid, and end up having to take out 60,000 for a two year degree. I know for a fact that I won’t get any help from the FAFSA. Assuming I do well at school, I will probably get a few scholarships here and there…

But worse case, 60,000 for two years. The college has VERY good job placement, it is considered THE top culinary school in America.

That is a lot of money, isn’t it. Would it be better to get a degree at a local culinary program at a community college, or would I be able to live after college, even with a bunch of money I owe?

$60k for a AA/AS? That is way too much. That is the cost of a 4 year University plus some graduate schools.
The French Culinary Institute is about $41,500 for their 6 month program. If you dont have a passion for cooking do not do it.

I checked out http://www.culinaryschoolsu.com and saw schools like: International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and The French Culinary Institute. Are these good culinary schools?

My brother began his chef training at his local community college.

Johnson and Wales

Here is a web addy for helping you find a school

http://www.chefs.com/professionaleducation/default.aspx

PS: That is Le Cordon Bleu. and there are several in the US now but if you want the real thing you would need to go to France and put up with lots of crap…..and you would need to be fluent in French.

www.cordonbleu.net