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	Aspiring to become a master chef? Passing the test is a measure of accomplishment and lead to further advancement and higher-paying positions.

	Formal culinary programs, which may offer training leading to a certificate or a 2- or 4-year degree, are geared for training chefs for fine-dining or upscale restaurants.

	Job openings for chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers are expected to be plentiful through 2014.



(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Fashion Designers)

Cooking Schools Cook Up Culinary Success

by Genevieve M. Blaber

Think you're an ace in the kitchen? Why not try out your baking bravado at one of the many

Cooking Schools

in North America. If you're looking into a career in the food industry it's the place to be. But it's not as simple as just imputing "cooking schools" into a search engine and picking the one closest to you; there are a variety of cooking schools, each with its own educational opportunities and requirements.

You may have heard people talk about cooking classes but what they're referring to is quite different from the education that will lead you towards a career in the industry. Cooking classes can be something people take on a whim, to lean how to bake a cake for example, or something that professional chefs take to learn a new technique or recipe. In either case, it's more for a person's curiosity than educational resume.

IIf you're looking to boost your chance of landing a culinary career, consider cooking schools or culinary institutes like that of Le Cordon Bleu. At a cooking school you can earn certificate or a diploma, while at a culinary institute you can choose to earn a certificate, a diploma, or a degree. Depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue, you could be enrolled for anywhere from two months to four years. Keep in mind that it's not always necessary to go to a stand-alone cooking school as various colleges and universities also offer degree programs (bachelor's and master's) in the culinary field.

Being in the food industry doesn't mean that you have to be tied to a kitchen, cooking all day. Cooking schools offer a myriad of programs that are related to the field, and which don't require you to flambé, sauté, or bake all the time. You can choose to pursue hospitality management, hotel management, or even professional catering. Not every school will offer every program though, so make sure to do your research.

Be assured, no matter what culinary field you choose to pursue you're sure to find a welcoming job market after graduation. According to the United States Department of Labor, the food industry is the second largest employer in the country.

Find out more about Le Cordon Bleu today.

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About the author:

http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Genevieve M. Blaber is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

Many culinary schools offer interactive classroom sessions to their students. They learn more through hands-on culinary training by practicing themselves rather than only demonstration classes by instructors.
by Nevia Beckham submitted on Jun 18, 2008

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