The popularity of cooking school has soared in recent years. There was a time when students had to travel to France to get an advanced education in gourmet cuisine, but now, schools have sprung up all across the United States to provide educations for budding chefs. Although everyone thinks they know how to cook (or at least how to boil water), being a professional chef or even just an excellent cook in your own kitchen is a demanding line of work that requires great skill. You can acquire these skills at cooking school. But, how can you decide which school to go to? Here are some suggestions:
Cost: Is the cooking school you’re considering expensive? Before you decide that you can’t afford it, know that there are a number of ways in which you can fund your education. Many organizations, particularly the United States government, offer grants, scholarships, and loans to students of all kinds. Go to the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Web site and fill out the FAFSA form, which is really several applications in one and allows you to apply simultaneously for a large number of funding options. Bear in mind that student loans, though usually low interest, will need to be paid back after graduation. On the other hand, grants and scholarships are essentially free, so you should consider them first.
Location: Where is the cooking school of your choice? Perhaps you have a job that you can’t leave or you need to take care of a sick relative. In that case, you’ll need to find a cooking school within easy commuting distance. (Remember that you don’t want to spend hours of potential studying time driving to and from classes.) If you can afford to move away from home, decide if the school is in a place where you’d like to live. Often, students end up living in the cities in which they graduate.
Prestige: Does the cooking school have a strong reputation? Will having its name on your résumé impress a potential employer? The more prestigious a school is, likely the more you’ll pay in tuition. but However, the prestige of the school will also help you find a better job sooner, speeding up the transition to your culinary career.
Staff: Are the teachers at the cooking school respected? Remember, these are the people who will help you find your first job, and their recommendations and contacts may be the key.
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