Attending a Pennsylvania Culinary Arts Institute: |
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| | When you think of Pennsylvania, the mouthwatering image of a delicious Philly cheesesteak probably pops into your mind. Yet Pennsylvania's cuisine is so much more! From humble street food to the nation's biggest candy companies to the finest restaurants in the country, this state's diverse and booming food scene makes attending a Pennsylvania culinary arts institute a smart choice for putting you on the inside track to a fast-paced culinary career. |
Culinary School in Philadelphia: From Haute Cuisine to World's Best Street Food
Philadelphia, the largest city in the state, boasts one of the country's most dynamic and fastest growing dining scenes. In Philly, you can eat ethnic at any time, feasting on Amish, Chinese, Italian, Turkish and a myriad of other cuisines. Le Bec Fin is consistently considered one of the best restaurants in the country and has been the long-standing recipient of the coveted Five Star rating by the Mobil Travel Guide. And of course, there's the famous across-the-street cheesesteak rivalry between Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks. Both offer huge, greasy hoagies stuffed with enormous portions of beef, onions and melted cheese, and both have their legions of loyal fans.
It's Scrapple, Not Scrabble
Scrapple—sounds ominous, yet tantalizing. A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food, scrapple was created by the settlers of the Philadelphia and Chester County area to use the scraps of the hog after butchering. Usually fried, scrapple is the star of the most important meal of the day, breakfast. Now here's a test of skill for a student at a Pennsylvania culinary arts institute: how do you come up with new ways to prepare a 200-year old recipe to entice new diners?
Snack Food Capital of the World
Pennsylvania has a reputation for being the snack food capital of the world for all the delicious munchies produced there. The Sturgis Pretzel House began baking pretzels in 1850. By 1861, the pretzels were so popular the Bakery stopped baking other breads and focused on producing pretzels. Together with the Anderson Bakery Company, Intercourse Pretzel Factory and Snyder's of Hanover, these four companies make up the major pretzel manufacturers in the U.S.
Pennsylvania is also the home of the Hershey Company, the Mars Company, Godiva Chocolates and the Wilbur Chocolate Company. Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, located in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, produces Frango mints and supplies chocolates and other confections to Marshall Field's, Macy's, the Hershey Company, Nestle and Fannie May candies. These candy and chocolate companies stand at the heart of the U.S. confectionery industry.
Pennsylvania Culinary Arts Institute: Preparing for a Future in the Culinary Arts
The National Restaurant Association reports that in 2007 there were 24,221 eating and drinking establishments in Pennsylvania with restaurant employees representing 9% of Pennsylvania's total employment. The Association forecasts a 5.1% growth in jobs by 2019.
A sampling of the average salaries for culinary positions in Philadelphia:
Title Salary Executive Chef $49,000 Chef $48,000 Kitchen Manager/Sous Chef $45,000 Restaurant Chef $39,000 Chef Kitchen Manger $52,000 Chef de Cuisine $45,000 Sous Chef $38,000 Executive Sous Chef $43,000
Choosing a Pennsylvania Culinary Arts Institute
Learn the skills needed to be successful at a Pennsylvania culinary arts institute. The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Philadelphia offers aspiring chefs fundamental culinary skills, exposure to international cuisines and small classes taught by experienced professionals in the business. Located in a city with a dynamic food scene that's also close to Washington, D.C. and New York City, attending culinary school in Philadelphia enables you to taste and learn from the best.
The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh offers students in Western Pennsylvania the same high quality culinary arts education as their Philadelphia counterparts.
Attending a culinary school in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or anywhere in Pennsylvania gives you an exceptional base from which to learn and develop your culinary skills. Find the right school for you on All Culinary Schools, and take your first step toward a successful chef career!