Going to culinary school is a great experience for many people. Not only do you get the training you need to start a career in one of the most stable job markets in the country, but culinary institutions are a great place to meet like-minded individuals who share your passion for food and food preparation.
Like any education, though, you’ll only get as much out of your culinary training as you put into it. The academic requirements of most programs are fairly low, so if all you’re after is the diploma with your name on it, you can perform a minimum of tasks and still reach your goals.
However, if you really want to graduate with a sound knowledge of the kitchen and the culinary world, it’s best to take advantage of every opportunity that comes by.
Do an Internship/Externship – Even if It’s Not Required
Getting hands-on training in a learning environment and getting hands-on training in a working kitchen are two different things. Only by getting in a real restaurant environment will you get a handle for the speed, pressure, and exhilarating highs of being a cook or chef.
Don’t Rely on One Kind of Technology
There are chefs who swear by traditional French techniques that rely solely on knife skills, Dutch ovens, and fresh ingredients. There are also chefs more attuned to molecular gastronomy, tapping into sous vide options and liquid nitrogen in order to make their creations.
Both sides have valid points, and in order to get the best culinary education possible, you should learn both. Although you can certainly specialize in one type of cooking, make sure you know how to use all the kitchen technology available throughout history and today.
Find a Mentor, If You Can
One of the best ways to gain a competitive edge in the culinary field is to have connections to people in high places. Culinary students who learn from the best tend to go on to become the best. If you have the option to learn under a culinary great, take advantage of it.
If your educational goals are more modest, you can still align yourself with chef-instructors or restaurant owners whose food and skills you admire. Networking with fellow students can also help you when you start seeking employment later on.
It doesn’t matter if you take a culinary course that lasts a few months or for a few years – you can learn everything you need to get started at the right institution for you. Although it might seem like a lot of hard work today, the results you’ll see as a culinary professional will make all your studying and networking worth it.
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