Career Training

For individuals seeking a life in the art of food, culinary programs provide information about chemistry, preparation, skills, and knowledge to become a professional contender in the cooking career. According to industry professionals, if you want to become a professional chef, it is critical to attend a culinary school – and one may be right in your city, at your local community college.

The Rewards of a Culinary Education

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the culinary and food industry accounted for approximately 3.1 million jobs in 2004. Culinary careers are expected to grow faster than the average for all other occupations.

With a background education from culinary programs, many individuals can bypass the lower-skilled positions in a kitchen while moving more quickly up the ladder toward status as a cook or chef.

Culinary programs provide insight into the essential elements of a successful chef, such as menu planning, nutrition, health regulations, inventory management, and portion control. Also, since culinary programs tend to be hands-on, students can gain experience—and sometimes are even provided with internships—which help foster professional expertise and connections to job opportunities.

This video offers a look at the culinary arts field.

Award-Winning Culinary Programs at Community Colleges

Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan

With a stylish on-site restaurant featuring delicious menu options, Grand Rapids Community College and Heritage Restaurant have gained rave reviews and acclaim for its educational

Although they were once known primarily for their vocational programs and associate degrees, community colleges have expanded their programs to serve a wider audience. And while community colleges still do an outstanding job of fulfilling their original roles, community colleges have now become a center for scientific and engineering learning.

In fact, in recent years, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF), more students have turned to community colleges to prepare them for a career in science and engineering. Research from the NSF study reveals interesting reasons why students begin their careers at a community college.

Many scientists and engineers begin at community college

Community colleges are, without a doubt, great schools. They offer many different types of programs for a wide range of academic interests. Truthfully, it is no longer fair or even accurate (if it ever was) to think of them as an “easy” two-year school for those looking to earn an associate’s degree.

Today, according to the NSF, less than 30% of community college students are looking to simply earn an associate’s degree. This means that over 70% of the students attending community colleges are looking for more than just a two-year program. These statistics reveal that many people view community colleges as a viable option when beginning their educational careers.

In fact, according to the NSF, 44% of students who earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the physical sciences,