Advantages of a Degree vs. Culinary Certificate

The world of food service jobs can definitelyof chefs who have greater control over the
seem like a confusing place. Even for those whoentire kitchen.
have been cooking their entire lives at home orTypes of Foods Service Jobs Depends On Your
for friends, it’s not always easy to knowDesires
what skills will transfer easily into food serviceIf you are interested in taking a more active role
jobs and which ones need to be acquired byin a restaurant kitchen, then a degree obtained
attending one of the top culinary schools.from one of the country’s top culinary
Even looking at the programs offered by the topschools is a far more useful tool. Graduating from
culinary schools in the country doesn’t alwaysone of the programs can help take you to the
make things any clearer. There are a multitude ofnext level in the industry. Not only can you learn
different classes, cooking styles, and trainingabout cooking, but you can also be instructed in
options out there, and they are all usually focusedhow to run a kitchen, which includes things such
on a specific area of the industry. One of theas inventory, food selection and ordering, and
most common questions posed by thosebasic staff management. You can also have
interested in becoming professional chefs isaccess to a greater degree of support once you
whether they would be better suited graduatinghave left the school, such as an extensive alumni
with a certificate in cooking or pursuing a fullnetwork and contacts who may be able to
degree program?connect you with the food service job
The Answer Depends On Your Futureopportunities that you are looking for.
The answer would seem to depend upon whatA degree will cost more money and require you
your goals are for a career in the food servicesto invest more time, although some organizations
industry. A certificate from a culinary school helpsexpect you have that degree if you are hoping to
prepare you for the basics of kitchen work. Thisclimb the corporate ladder, so to speak.
includes a good foundation in cooking techniquesThis article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu
and food preparation, along with an understandingSchools North America. Le Cordon Bleu Schools
of what restaurant "work" is like. This makes aNorth America offers Le Cordon Bleu culinary
certificate a great idea for someone looking foreducation classes and culinary training programs.
preparation as a line cook.To learn more about the class offerings, please
Wondering what a line cook is? A line cook isvisit Chefs.edu/ for more information.
someone who is responsible for a specific type ofThe jobs mentioned are examples of certain
cooking in a kitchen. It is somewhat analogous topotential jobs, not a representation that these
being part of an assembly line in a factory, in theoutcomes are more probable than others. Le
sense that line cooks only work of a specificCordon Bleu Schools North America does not
portion of a meal such as sauces, meats, orguarantee employment or salary.
vegetables. They are supervised by a hierarchy