Reaching New Heights at Culinary Schools in Colorado

• The International Culinary School at The Art Institute Colorado offers the chance for students to immerse themselves in a variety of international cuisines. Students start by developing the fundamental skills all great chefs must master, and over time, they can combine these skills and techniques with their own creativity. Students will become proficient in cooking styles from around the world and discover a culinary specialty that matches their strengths.

Cuisine Influences: Students attending a culinary school in Colorado will experience a wide variety of local culinary traditions. Mexican cuisine and dishes using beef and game are local favorites. But students wishing to explore vegetarian fare or cooking with organic and locally-grown ingredients will find Colorado a great place to study.

Cooking and dining in Colorado isn’t all about the food, however. Sometimes called the “Napa of Beer,” Denver has much to offer foodies with a passion for beers of all kinds—from budget-friendly American staples to high-end artisan brews. With over 70 breweries within a 100 mile radius of the city, it’s no wonder that many local restaurants offer beer-pairing suggestions for diners.

Colorado has become a prime location for the booming restaurant industry with over 11,000 eating establishments. Restaurants currently employ 226,400 people in Colorado and job growth is expected to increase by 15 percent over the next decade, creating 33,600 additional jobs in the culinary field. Chefs in the Colorado area are enjoying good benefits, hefty wages and great success—and the future only looks brighter.

Below are the average annual salaries for some of the culinary careers in Colorado:

_{*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010; Salary.com, 2012}