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THERE ARE SO MANY! Choosing the Right Culinary School: A Recipe for Career Success
Next, examine the curriculum. A strong culinary program should combine classical cooking techniques with modern industry trends, including sustainability, nutrition, food safety, management, and technology. Hands-on training is essential. Students should spend significant time in kitchens working with professional equipment and real-world scenarios. Faculty experience is another key factor. Learning from instructors who have worked successfully in restaurants, hotels, healthcare foodservice, or catering can provide valuable insights beyond the classroom. Prospective students should also investigate internship opportunities, industry partnerships, and job placement rates. Schools with strong connections to employers provides a smoother transition into the workforce. Cost matters as well so be sure to compare tuition, scholarships, financial aid options, and expected career outcomes. The most expensive school is not always the best choice. Finally, visit campuses, speak with current students and alumni, and observe classes whenever possible. The right culinary school just like any major decision you are making should inspire confidence, challenge your abilities, and provide the foundation for a rewarding future. STUDENTS: In an industry built on passion, creativity, and hard work, choosing the right culinary school may be the first ingredient in a lifelong recipe for success. Showing up with a great attitude, on time and leaning in while on campus - learning from some of the brightest minds in the world while paying to learn from them is the best course of action! As my mentor, Chef John Peter Montgomery told me, before my first competition “keep your head straight and stay organized” - I bid you the best of luck and HN is here to help! Hospitality News / National Edition / Sept 2026 / Page 51
By Andrew Greene
Each month, Hospitality News will feature a different apprenticeship, secondary, or college post‑secondary institution to share a bit with the audience about an opportunity for educating yourself. The Culinary Institute of America is a world‑renowned program that deserves a ton of credit, and will get more coverage in the future, but a preliminary story follows on the following page. For aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals, selecting the right culinary school is one of the most important decisions they will make. But I have also learned from incredibly talented professionals that never went to culinary school or polished their resume with an advanced degree—and some career professionals go into cooking as a second career after a life of finance —point being, this is to be taken with a grain of salt. While a culinary education can provide valuable skills, industry connections, and career opportunities, not all schools are created equal. Taking the time to evaluate your options carefully can help ensure a successful return on your investment. My wife and I both attended Johnson & Wales, then coined America’s Career University, and were highly activate in extra‑curricular activities... coming of age in a city and place far away can be as educational as the classroom itself. First, consider your life preferences—city, rural, urban, expanding, or transportation infrastructures surrounding the potential school. Then consider your career goals. Do you want to become an executive chef, pastry chef, restaurant owner, foodservice director, or hospitality executive? Different schools specialize in different areas, so look for programs that align with your aspirations.
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