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Accredited Colleges, Universities & Culinary Academies
Going to a 2-4 year college in order to become a certified chef is the best place to start if you are hoping to be accredited nationwide.
College courses offer you are more rounded view of the culinary industry and give you much of the skills that you will need in order to excel at your field.
Employers at finer restaurants are more eager to hire an accredited chef that has a college degree in the field than a graduate from a trade school. This is also a great way to know that you are accredited all over the world as well.
Trade schools may not necessarily grant you the same promise. Naturally, there are some pros and cons to choosing to get your certification from a College or University. Let’s take a look at them.
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Pros
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Cons |
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2-4 year College or University: You are accredited worldwide |
It takes 2-4 years of study to get your certification |
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You will receive your post secondary diploma |
The cost is much higher than any other method of training |
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You can often start in a head position in the kitchen |
It saves you little time to get your hands on experience working in a kitchen |
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You are eligible for a higher starting wage |
You may not be eligible for an apprenticeship |
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You can make invaluable connections in the business |
The competition is fierce for graduating with honors |
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You are recognized in the field as a chef once completed |
Not all colleges offer chef training |
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You get hands on personal help |
You are still required to apprentice somewhere (time consuming) |
As you can see the benefits of choosing to get your training in a college or university can have it drawbacks as well as its good points.
The best reasons to choose a college is that you will be accredited worldwide which is not possible with other methods. As a college graduate in this field you are recognized in the field as a chef for a lifetime, whereas a trade school will not let you be recognized until you are hired as a chef.
Tuition can also be an issue although many colleges and universities offer financial aid if you qualify for it.
Most schools that offer you the chance to become a chef can have their tuition range anywhere from $5000 to $15,000 per year. That is quite a bit of money, but the benefits are well worth it. Here is a list of Colleges that do offer Chef training.
Le Cordon Bleu at Brown College (Minneapolis Minnesota)
Westwood College (Denver, Colorado)
Sullivan University (Kentucky)
California Culinary College
Gibbs College (New Jersey)
Kirtland Community College (Michigan)
There are many more colleges that can train you to become a chef, but you get the idea. Many culinary institutes are just as good as colleges and Universities, and in some cases better.
In addition, Le Cordon Bleu is located in many States and is nationally a recognized school.
Culinary academies are basically the same as colleges and universities. The cost is about the same, but you can get your credentials in less time at some of them.
Some culinary academies can even get you credited in as little as 9 months.
Culinary Academies often let you live on campus as part of your tuition, and cover your food costs. They actually train you while you cook all of your meals. That’s helpful and practical!
Trade or Vocational Schools
A trade school offers you the chance to get you accredited in a shorter time period than colleges can. You will still learn much about the culinary industry but your classes are condensed so as to suit a certain time frame.
Trade schools are becoming more and more popular among those that wish to begin a career as quickly as possible, but there are pros and cons to choosing a trade school as your means to getting your credentials. Let’s take a quick look at them.
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Pros |
Cons |
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It is much cheaper than college or culinary institutes |
You are only accredited in the State in which you trained |
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You can be certified in less time |
You still must apprentice somewhere |
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Condensed classes leave more free time |
Condensed classes neglect some necessary courses |
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You can work at your own pace |
You can work at your own pace (you may rush yourself) |
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You get some hand son experience |
You have to buy your own equipment separately |
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As you can see, trade schools can help you get your certification, but it leaves out a bit of stuff too.
All in all, trade schools are great for some people as not everyone can afford to invest the money or the time to a full time college, university or culinary academy.
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