Earning Your Diploma in Culinary Arts
It is a little-known fact that most restaurants prefer to hire individuals who are only educated in the basic skills of the culinary world. This is because most restaurants have their own signature styles and methods, and when an individual has invested a great deal of time learning particular habits, it can be very hard to retrain to the styles and expectations of a new establishment.
A culinary diploma can go a long way toward helping you establish the basic skills necessary to get your foot in the door, without giving the appearance of over-qualification or the need to retrain.
What kinds of jobs can you get with a culinary arts diploma?
A culinary arts diploma opens all kinds of entry-level doors that can lead to even greater opportunities down the line. All kind of interesting businesses and institutions require the services of individuals with basic culinary training: Not just restaurants and delicatessens, but hospitals, hotels, catering companies, private businesses and households - even cruise ships!
Just some of the positions available to the holder of a culinary arts diploma include:
- Short-order cooks
- Food preparation specialists
- Sous chefs
- Executive chefs
- Line cooks
- Station chefs
How long does it take to earn a culinary arts diploma?
A Culinary Arts Diploma is the fastest way to get some professional culinary training under your belt. You can easily earn your diploma in two years. If you are diligent in your studies and keep your nose to the grindstone, it is not impossible to shorten that length of time to eighteen months.
What kinds of culinary arts diplomas are there?
There are a variety of specialities to choose from in your culinary career, and your interests will influence your choices in what programs to enroll yourself. Below are just a few examples of courses in culinary study:
- Professional Cook Diploma: You will learn the basics of nutrition and menu planning, including how to balance a diet over the course of a day. A host of preparation techniques are taught in this comprehensive program, as well as culinary theory and a thorough understanding of health codes and regulations. This program also provides a strong focus on the use of kitchen appliances as well as the preparation of cold foods.
- Pastry Arts Diploma: This is an ideal program for the confection-minded individual. In studying pastry arts you will be informed on everything to do with dessert - from creams to custards, cakes to caramels. You will also learn about quality control and cost management. Similar to (though not the same as) the Professional Baking coursework, you will be educated in bread-making a cake-decorating.
- Catering & Gourmet Cooking Diploma: If you are excited to do more than cook, if you want to really get into the whole creative experience of cooking and presentation, a catering & gourmet cooking diploma maybe be the course of study for you. In this program you will earn general knowledge of food preparation and presentation, but also how to keep prepared food looking fresh and inviting throughout a party and how to train new employees, as well as meat and fish preparation.
- Commercial Cooking Diploma: This course of study will give you an intensive understanding of the details of hotel and restaurant food service. More than just food preparation and presentation, commercial cooking study will give you real business insight, including how to keep a professional kitchen in tip-top condition and how to effectively manage employees.
Sources
Culinary Arts & Food Service Career Guide - Vocational Information Center
Facts at a Glance - National Restaurant Association
