The best culinary schools provide students with the skills and knowledge to become successful in this exciting field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for chefs are expected to grow by 25 percent between now and 2030, higher than the national average. These schools have a track record of producing highly skilled graduates with the skills and experience to open their own restaurants and work in the most prestigious kitchens in the world. In addition to classrooms, these schools offer hands-on training and real-world externships in various food industries.
Although culinary schools provide great training, you should also consider the location of the institutes where they are located. While most high-quality culinary schools are in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Switzerland are also excellent options. There are also many Asian institutions offering culinary courses as well. While all of these institutions are top notch, their alphabetical ranking forces you to make a choice based on the location and reputation of the institution you plan to attend.
While top culinary schools offer quality culinary education, they are generally costly. Students should look for scholarships to help them pay for their tuition. Also, pay is low in the first few years of graduation, so you should do your homework about scholarships before you choose a program. Moreover, the rankings of top culinary schools can be highly subjective and are difficult to get data on the outcomes of graduates or the quality of faculty resources.
Culinary institute of America: Founded in 1946, this New Haven, CT school offers two and four-year degree programs. Notably, its graduates include the world’s most popular Iron Chef, Anthony Bourdain. Another top culinary school in the world is the Hattori Nutrition College. Hattori was originally founded as Tokyo Nutrition School in 1939 and is now a renowned institution for the study of diet and nutrition.
Stratford University School of Culinary Arts: Founded in 1976, Stratford University School of Culinary Art offers online and classroom programs in culinary arts and hospitality management. Their degree programs include hands-on training and real-world experience and include a six-month co-op program. The school also offers a 15-month professional diploma program and a two-year associate degree program.
The Le Cordon – Located in the financial district of Manhattan, Le Cordon offers a wide range of culinary courses. It has a rich course list and was recently recognized as one of the best culinary schools in the world by The Daily Meal. The Institute of Culinary Education is a top culinary school in 2016, according to The Daily Meal.
Culinary Institute of America – With campuses across the country, and even in Singapore, the Culinary Institute of America is one of the best culinary schools in the world. Founded by returning World War II veterans, the Culinary Institute of America offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in culinary arts. The institute also offers food-related programs in pastry arts and hospitality management.