| So you are interested in the possibility of | | | | important factor in the success of your |
| becoming a chef? You probably have many | | | | career. You may never see or prepare these |
| questions and are probably wondering what | | | | dishes again, but the techniques that you |
| route to take. Are there any requirements for | | | | pick up in Culinary School can be applied to |
| becoming a chef? What education is needed for | | | | many of the dishes that you create in the |
| becoming a chef? | | | | future. |
| | | | |
| As the title of this article suggests, you | | | | Depending on the school you attend, your |
| basically have two options toward becoming a | | | | curriculum may include topics like pastry, |
| chef and learning the fundamentals of | | | | nutrition, management, butchery and more. You |
| cooking. There are actually three options, | | | | can also receive job placement assistance. |
| but we will discuss the third later in this | | | | You will learn more about the various |
| article. You can either go straight to | | | | culinary organizations out there, |
| Culinary School and learn the art of cooking | | | | scholarships and other programs that may be |
| under the close supervision of educated | | | | useful. |
| Chefs, or you can head out into the real | | | | |
| world and learn hands on cooking techniques | | | | The Disadvantages of Cooking School |
| in a fast paced restaurant setting. We will | | | | |
| now discuss the advantages and disadvantages | | | | For the most part, a Culinary school |
| of both options. | | | | education is theoretical learning. Cooking |
| | | | school is not going to prepare you for the |
| ON THE JOB LEARNING | | | | busy and stressful environment of a real |
| | | | world kitchen, and this lack of preparation |
| The Advantages | | | | may present a problem when you start looking |
| | | | for a job. |
| The traditional method for becoming a chef | | | | |
| was quite different years ago. One did not | | | | Culinary Students have also acquired a bad |
| attend a Culinary School first before they | | | | reputation over the years unfortunately. The |
| began working. Instead, a person learned by | | | | popular opinion is that graduates from |
| working from the bottom up. This gave the | | | | cooking schools are in no way prepared to |
| cook hands-on real world experience, | | | | handle the stress of a busy kitchen. Why have |
| something not readily available in cooking | | | | Culinary Students been given such a bad |
| schools today. This real world experience is | | | | reputation? It is because many have tried and |
| more respected then a student fresh out of | | | | quit when the going got rough. So the only |
| Culinary School, and I am sure you can | | | | way to overcome this is to prove yourself. |
| understand why. A restaurant owner is not | | | | You will have to dedicate yourself no matter |
| going to be impressed by a resume filled with | | | | how hard things get. |
| all of the classes you took in cooking | | | | |
| school. He or she will be more interested in | | | | Lastly there is the cost associated with a |
| whether or not you can perform in a busy and | | | | Culinary School Education. It can be very |
| stressful kitchen environment, and you will | | | | expensive. Not only do you have to pay |
| only gain that experience by living and doing | | | | tuition, but you also have to pay for your |
| it on the job. | | | | books, tools and other accessories. Things |
| | | | can really add up. If you decide that it is |
| The Disadvantages | | | | not the right career path for you, you will |
| | | | have lost a lot of money. |
| Working on the job also has its | | | | |
| disadvantages. In a restaurant environment | | | | GOING TO SCHOOL + ON THE JOB TRAINING |
| there is one main objective and that is to | | | | |
| prepare quality dishes in a timely manner so | | | | Now on to the third option that I told you we |
| that the customer is satisfied. Your head | | | | would cover later in this article: working on |
| chef and co-workers do not have time to | | | | the job while you are attending cooking |
| explain how a dish is made, or the history | | | | school. The advantage to this option is that |
| and culture behind the food that is prepared. | | | | you will be practicing what you are learning |
| It is simply too busy. So you will have to | | | | in school. You get to truly experience it and |
| seek out your education on your own, unless | | | | not just read about it in some textbook. |
| of course someone is willing to take the time | | | | |
| and teach you, but this is rarely the case. | | | | This is by far the best option of course but |
| | | | not for everyone. There will be many |
| CULINARY SCHOOL EDUCATION | | | | sacrifices when taking this route toward |
| | | | becoming a chef. Holding a job while going to |
| The advantages of Attending a Cooking School | | | | school will be very difficult. You will be |
| | | | exhausted both physically and mentally, and |
| Culinary school can be a truly rewarding | | | | if you do not work extra hard, your grades |
| experience if you keep your eyes and ears | | | | will suffer. If your grades suffer, then you |
| open and apply yourself. There is much to be | | | | may get less attention from your instructors. |
| learned and exposed to. This is where the | | | | On the flip side, you may impress your |
| history, culture and techniques regarding the | | | | instructors with your hard work and interest. |
| preparation of the food comes into play. | | | | |
| | | | So whatever path you choose, remember the |
| You can learn where the dish came from and | | | | most important thing is perseverance. Without |
| the variety of ways to create certain dishes. | | | | staying power and patience you will have a |
| You can learn how to purchase and store your | | | | difficult time making it as a chef. I wish |
| ingredients. You get to work together with | | | | you all the best and God Bless. |
| other students as a team, which is a very | | | | |