How Cooking Schools Work

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What are Cooking Schools Like?

The best part about culinary school is, of course, the food. You'll take many classes as a student in culinary school that cover everything from cleaning and sanitation to how to set the dining table. The crux of culinary school, however, is really the cooking itself. In addition to learning how to make salads, appetizers and entrees, you will also take several classes in baking and pastries. You'll learn tricks and techniques that you'll use throughout your culinary career. For instance, concepts in fundamental French cuisine are commonly covered in culinary programs, according to Candice Deis, a culinary arts professor at Quality College of Culinary Careers at Fresno, CA.

Perhaps more than any other area of specialty, the culinary arts is basically what it sounds like. As a student, you'll spend hours chopping onions, cutting meat, kneading dough and beating eggs. And you'll do it all under the supervision of experts who can teach you the tricks of the trade and correct any mistakes you might be making.

Generally, culinary courses include one to two hours of lecture along with a practical, hands-on component in the labs (fully equipped and stocked kitchens where students cook), according to Deis.

How Will You Be Graded?

As for grading, as surprising as it might sound, it's not usually based on the taste of the food. "It's about participation," Deis said. She explained that grading is done holistically and is also based on professionalism, work ethic, and sanitation and safety.

Popular Cooking Courses

The most popular courses tend to allow for creativity and imagination on the part of the students, said Deis. "The students can be very creative," she explained, "when they do melon carving, platter arrangements and choose buffet themes." Another popular course is baking and pastries, though Deis admitted that not everyone loves baking, or is even good at it. "Some of them like it; some of them don't," she said. "But students learn how to make bread, decorate cakes, make hot desserts, croissants, brownies, cookies and ice cream," she said.

Other Learning Opportunities

Cooking school isn't all about the food, though. Students always have textbooks that go along with what is being taught in cooking class. "Students do written work, homework and take quizzes in class." Every school varies, Deis said, so it's important to find the school that teaches in a way that you'll learn. "We all have to follow certain guidelines and teach the same things but not in the same way. Our school is very hands-on. When I lecture I also do a demonstration, and then students go into the lab."

Some programs involve externships, where you do part of your coursework in an external restaurant setting. This might involve cooking as well as interacting with customers. Some programs, like Quality College, have their own restaurants that students run and operate to gain experience.

As a culinary student you'll be spending at least 4 hours a day, on average, doing hands-on cooking. So regardless of the culinary arts program you pick, the main thing you'll need to succeed is enthusiasm. You must have a passion and love for food and cooking.

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