IS CULINARY SCHOOL WORTH IT IN 2021?!?! THIS IS MY PERSPECTIVE AND OPINION ....
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ม.ค. 2021
- Hey All! I know this might be slightly controversial, but I think its worth the conversation. Tell me your thoughts, leave a comment share with someone who you think would feel differently about this topic.
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Im not looking for a career change. I want to go the school to learn more, broaden my taste buds, learn how to make nice dishes for friends and family events. I love to cook and I always wanna try something new because I don't like eating the same thing all the time
Ditto!! Currently just attending the culinary school of TH-cam lol. (with occasional episodes of Chopped thrown in ha)
Culinary school is great for the home cook. Not entirely necessary or even helpful to someone looking for a career.
thats exactly my reason for going as well
I am not looking for a know it all when hiring,I'm looking for I'll get it done Chef additude,you will never learn that in culinary school,it's honestly about yourself and how much you want to apply yourself.
This is so on point. I can’t tell you how much the hands on experience of learning all possible positions in the restaurant. If you don’t want to learn it all from bussing and dish washing to managing a staff of 30. I remember Willy and Ray showing all of us youngsters the ropes.
I really love how this video of yours pop out in my suggested videos here, chef. Thank you for bringing me back on my right path. I am incoming hospitality management student in Philippines!
I love this video. I found you on tiktok and love your content and advice. I’ve grown up in the restaurant business my whole life and have been working as a pantry chef since I was 16 and I’m planning on going to the cia next year because of covid.
Same here maybe we'll see each other
This is real, I’m a sues chef and you don’t need school just time and skill
Thank you. Great breakdown! Watching in 2024. May God bless your chef endeavors
Great advice! I've been working BoH for 15 years now, so I know how to handle being in the weeds. But, now I'm considering culinary school because I'm tired of doing 300 covers a night, I'm ready to pursue a reservation only job. Thankfully I have a community college nearby that offers an associate's degree for only $12k, which is a steal for certain.
Honestly though because of how the pandemic has flipped our world upside down it may be smarter for me to just get a food truck and work for myself.
Anyway thank you for the video!
All the information u provided how chefs r treated is so bang on
Very good video!!! A lot of great information! Much appreciated 🙌
I went to a free trade school for culinary arts when I was 20 years old. I thank my parents for not putting me into a 4 year. culinary arts school!
You are giving great amazing advice ❤️.
I feel your advice is that of that comes from a family member(brother, father etc.)
I just subscribed based on the genuine good advice.
thanks!! and yes i really appreciate this. im glad I could help
Important knowledge right here!
Thank you for your opinion. You have credibility. I am considering going for an associate degree in culinary arts at the nearest community college. I am leaving healthcare and I have my reasons. If I don't work as a chef, I am cool with that. I want to learn as much as I can. Community college is cheap here in CA. I think it's worth it.
Hello can I ask what job you have as a healthcare worker? And why you decided to leave? I'm still a student at third year of pharmacy yet during the pandemic I think I realized how much I pushed through this course due to my parents decisions. I'm beginning to think that someday I'll regret not pursuing culinary.
I’m the same.
Thanks with the change in perspective and wisdom.
Awesome information! Thanks for sharing. I'm 18 and in this position. Taking the university of hard knocks route
Anthony, Im 62 and never carried debt. Pay cash as you go along in life, you'll be much happier when things fall in place and you'll learn along the way, by doing it with patience, not credit.
Totally agree with this... I've learnt pretty much nothing in the first year and a half of mine and on my 2 internships I learnt more in one day than in one year!
Thank you, you just saved me from going to school and I’ve been cooking for over 20 yrs. Owned a food struck for a while went to the art institute years ago and it wasn’t worth it then. I was just looking for the paper but I don’t need the paper. Thank you 🙏🏾
Amazing advice!! THANK YOU!!
As someone who dropped out of culinary school and still pursued my passions.... I definitely don't think it's necessary. I remember thinking everything was over when I dropped out. But I look back and I think it's the best thing I could've done! Because I would have so much debt right now. Still doing the thing... All about the push.
100% I remember !
I am a Chef for Microsoft and hes 100% right you need to do everything as a Chef,that means breaking down the dishwasher to it's coils to understanding how your oven works, so every thing you know comes into play. So a fancy degree will not help you if you don't know how to put together the dishwashing machine.
Not a chef but majored in Foodservice Admin/ have worked in multiple commercial kitchens and yes! Def have a few memories of taking apart a dishwasher (or other random equipment troubleshooting) cuz half way through the evening it stopped working ha
Brandon here, brung up this message about schools....passion don't need schools, there are sous chefs to teach a passionate and interested person how to cook a menu item, hopefully not how to boiling bags. Is boiling a cooking method? Geeez
Hell yea man, great stuff! just subbed too! I have over 2 years of experience working in different kitchens and I want to know if you think its worth it to do a 1 year culinary class that is basically chef training because i want to become a chef. Its not a degree its just a certificate but like you said its the knowledge and experience that counts and its a lot cheaper too its only 5k for the year. What are your thoughts?
What program is that?
i worked for years first as a cake decorator baker server linecook soooooo many positions before considering culinary school. i made the decision with the knowledge and acceptance that i was paying for the cultural diversity experience and networking with an Open mind at the same time working as a pastry chef learning the savory side.. I put my experience in the industry first then i explain that i chose culinary for that reason on the back end.. Being a chef is highly competative physically and mentally draining . it takes everything heart mind and soul to succeed in the industry.
I started my career at 32 and I have to say if you are young get yourself into a good small restaurant and work your way up. I had to go to culinary school because I was older and needed to fast track my career. If you learn on the job and mess up you can be fired. If you mess up in school they don’t fire you lol. One plus of school is I can walk into most restaurants and mention the school I went to and immediately get my foot in the door. So there’s that.
Not true. I’m currently 18 and came to work at at college as a entry level food service worker and now a year later I’m the head cook. Ofc I made mistakes but on the job experience was the best thing I could get
@@craigmorrisonii5368 nice. It’s good that you started early and it’s sounds like it’s going well. I’ve never done any food service work like college or hospital only restaurants. I started at 32 and im a 45 y/o exec chef now. Best thing for you is to keep leveling up until you run the department. At that point you probably won’t be doing any cooking though lol. Just managing. That’s a good thing.
I did culinary school in the late 80s and early 90s and hes a 100% right you need to jump into the trade and force yourself to train in styles and food that your not comfortable with, the more you know the better you are.................so force yourself to learn new styles and line cook,dishwash, understand that this trade is not for the weak and need to be a person that is all about people or you will fail (period)
I know your video is 2 years old… but you’re right. I worked with culinary students and they didn’t even know what certain tools were smh. And mind you they were attending the International Culinary Center.. meanwhile I started my first bakery job when I was 22 (have cooked and baked since 16), started my own home bakery while I served in the military and have worked with some well known chefs (no degree).. but thinking of going to culinary school.. lol. I’m working on my accounting degree first. Thank you for your video and honest opinion.
Hey Chef Brandon! I’m a young cook, I just recently just got out of culinary school and I’ve been in the culinary field ever since the summer of 2018. As well, it sucks that Covid is messing with the restaurant industry at the moment too. Although, If you can give us advice. What would be a few of your tips for the next generation of young cooks, including myself? What should be our next steps?
Thank you for your time Chef🙂!
get experience with at reputable Chef or restaurant group. (stay away from chain restaurant groups)ei cheesecake factory, chilis, etc.
Hi there Brandon, what would you advise to someone who just wants to learn how to cook better or learn their way around a kitchen? I’ve been cooking and baking since I was like 9 or 10, so I know a few things.
I’m about to graduate high school and I don’t know what I want to do, but I’ve been looking into culinary school(probably community college because it’s cheaper)since cooking is my greatest hobby. I don’t want to be a chef, I just want to be a better cook. What do you think?
Cooking is Passion and commitment .If you think its glamorous it is not . I decided to do culinary school to learn more and to have clout . Following my calling to create good recipes. Just follow your heart ❤️ .
Creator already supplied the ingredients, you just have to put it together. Don't put a price on something we don't own...the sky. Life is more than feelings and emotions.
I’m going to be graduating high school this year at 17 and I’m trying to figure out what I should do. I love food and I love cooking, but my biggest decision right now is if I’d rather have that or a social/family life when I get older. I want to do something with food and I thought that it was as a restaurant chef (I currently work in a restaurant though it’s a lot different then a normal restaurant) but I don’t know any more which way I should go. For the past couple of months I’ve been heavily considering culinary school but there are so many different opinions.
Go to culinary school, don't listen to the naysayers. Make mistakes in life, make great choices, how else are to find out without trying? Go for it!
Join the national guard reserves as a cook. You'll stay in your hometown, learn cooking, and it's a job...some guys make it a career. You can make money and friends if ya like it....there ya go, steady work history as a cook is better than a hoopty school and no experience, other than what you already have.
Great Video!..Thoughts on going to a Community College Culinary Program? Way Less than a 1/10th of the cost ( certificate or Associates's Degree ) and " Most" have you learn at their local restaurant. So, you get instant hands-on experience as well. Thanks
That’s a Great idea ! Especially if the cost is affordable
hey I am thinking on doing the same thing, just a certificate and it only costs 5k. I already have more than 2 years of experience working in restaurants and every kitchen I've worked in my managers and Chefs have loved me. Im doing the program to learn more and eventually become a Chef.
Thank you I am trying to desideri what direction to take my life and I have been looking into being a sheff becaus I love cooking and I am glad I here’s this now before I desided to go to culinary school
So it's my dream to work at either Disney world or Ritz Carlton
which is one of the main reasons I want to go to the CIA because they offer externships for those companies.
I guess my question is do you think it's worth going just for that ( to basically get to know the chefs at Disney for example so then once I graduate it would sort of give me a leg up)?
What do yall think about split courses of culinary and business? I want to operate my own service weather it's in the private sector or a food truck (never would I take the risk opening up my own restaurant).
I think with the right price for tuition, and the right courses you can very effectively use a culinary degree, just stay away from fine dining it seems.
Please give me any feedback because im looking to up my career I kitchens
Great video worth listening to just watch out when you’re in your earbuds..
Damn I saw this too late. 🤣🙉
I want to be a chef
but im not sure
i either will go to a school in newzealand where which my aunt and parents will support me and then eventually try to work in a restaurant maybe
or
my dad is telling me to vlog
What about schools like CASA, the Chef Apprentice School of the Arts? It’s part culinary school, part apprenticeship and about $13,000. Don’t you need some sort of education to call yourself a chef? Isn’t that the difference between a cook and a chef? Would love your thoughts.
Great question! $13,000 is definitely affordable and a great move for an aspiring young chef. You do not need an education to call yourself a chef. I have plenty of chef friends that never went to school. Yes big difference between cook and chef. A chef has lead a professional kitchen. Cook has not.
Also what are your thoughts on the CIA claiming to have the highest return on investment of any school ?
I quit culinary school after covid moved it online. The best thing that happened to me. Afterwards I worked in fine dining for about 6-7 months as a line cook (moved through most stations). Shit was brutal. I found it very rewarding to be talented at something, but working 6 days a week, sometimes 12 hour days. It's insane. Maybe I'll end up on the internet...
Hey Steve, add 2 more days at 24 hours and you would be a truck driver.
@@MysticFogGarden Haha and make 3 times the money!
if you want to become a better chef do you think it's better to have job as a line cook or do you think it's better to CULINARY SCHOOL and develop these skills? also do you regret going to culinary school?
You could do both, but I would say line cook and make a 3-5 year plan to work at as many high level restaurants as you can (respectfully 6months-1yr) at each. You could also use culinary school for networking but if so, try and see if the local community college offers course. Paying 60-100grand for culinary school is NOT ROI positive
School of hard Knox worked for me. At 37 I am happily the owner of my own restaurant and bar and looking it.
that is the good thing about living i denmark its free to go to school
I paid $12,000 for my two-year degree and FAFSA covered it all, with money left over to help pay for gas. I would also not become a chef if I had to spend 40 to $80,000 on school
what school did you go to???
@@kizmetknox1650 Blackhawk technical college in Janesville Wisconsin
You may not see this comment Brandon, but if you could take time out of your day to respond, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m a 16 year old from Georgia, and I want to move to New York and become a chef in fine dining restaurants. I was planning to go to the CIA, but after watching and listening to this video, I may reconsider. But my question is, with all of these award winning restaurants in New York, how will I be able to get a job at one of them, without a internship from a culinary school?
Auguste escoffier is only 21k for online courses i think its worth that
Just got rejected from culinary school🙃 This really helped.
Go to the salvation army culinary training...and be a rising star...they will place you in a really nice restaurant with the chef teaching you everything...for free. Everybody loves rags to riches stories. Who wants to hear, "I graduated from Paris french cooking school and I know everything!"
I’m a cook in the army and I am interested in culinary school but unsure....
Stay in the army and enlist in officer training school.
line cook is the lowest position not dishwasher
That's why dishers don't want to line cook...aaaahhhaaha read a real book about a dude that wanted to dish in every state, "Dishwasher" the author's name was Pete something
If im wanting to apply on your restaurant would you hire me? I have no degree in culinary, no experience at all in the kitchen. but, i can cook plus i want to learn and earn an experience. any job at your kitchen. would you accept me?
Don't apply at a casino, the tribal gaming background check weeds out 90 percent of people. You can go anywhere right now and get a job.
If you have experience would culinary help
What if I can go for free? Is it still not worth it ?
Is it a reputable school? Depending on your situation I would definitely go if it’s free.
My culinary school is 12k
Maestro , vete parlabre "chef" simplicado. Thai espirto con Espanola's
IS CULINARY SCHOOL WORTH IT
Culinary school takes time, effort and financial investment, so it’s not for everyone. But if you have a true passion for culinary arts and want to reach the top, studying at a culinary school is one of the best ways to get there.
What are the pros and cons of culinary school
Culinary schools are great places to learn all about the culinary arts, whether you’re a school leaver, an ambitious graduate or a career changer.
Many who go into the culinary arts decide against studying and prefer to learn on the job.
That’s fine, but if you truly want to reach the highest standards, studying for a culinary degree at a renowned culinary arts school is definitely something you should consider.
So, what are the pros and cons? Read on to find out.
Pros and cons of culinary arts
Pros
You get to learn directly from world-class professionals and acquire culinary skills faster
- Students at culinary schools are taught by top-class chefs who give you the benefit of their years of experience and knowledge of culinary techniques.
- Some of the top culinary schools, such as the Ecole Ducasse, have Michelin-starred chefs guiding their philosophy, meaning you get an even higher standard of culinary education.
You will master the most advanced classical techniques and the latest trends
- Investing in a culinary school education means you can become a true master of the culinary arts and genuinely earn the white hat.
- The best culinary institutions teach you the fundamentals of classical cookery as well as the latest techniques and trends, so when you graduate, you won’t feel out of place in a modern kitchen.
You can gain real-world experience from internships at high-end restaurants
- Attending a good culinary school means you will be exposed to higher-end restaurants through valuable work experience - the kind of places you could never get to from the street.
- Only through studying at a renowned culinary institute will you develop the kind of skills and connections you will need to unlock internship opportunities at Michelin-starred restaurants.
You boost your career opportunities at the upper end of the culinary industry
- Studying at a culinary school not only exposes you to the restaurant industry through your internship, it also opens doors.
- A top culinary school’s name will go a long way to helping you land your first job, while good schools often have a thriving network of alumni who can help with introductions in the culinary world.
You learn on the latest equipment and hone your skills in a professional environment
- A good culinary institute will have access to world-class equipment and you will get to learn in kitchens that look just like those found in top restaurants.
You will learn the entrepreneurial skills you need to start your own business
- When you’re a chef, it’s important to know how to manage suppliers, source ingredients and market your business as well as run a kitchen and you will learn these skills at a culinary school.
- The best culinary schools go even further, teaching you the entrepreneurial skills you will need if you want to open your own restaurant.
You can immerse yourself in haute cuisine by living and studying in the home of gastronomy
- There are culinary schools all over the world, so you can learn the culinary arts in far flung places with strong culinary traditions.
- With schools such as Ecole Ducasse, you can study in France, the home of gastronomy where you can not only learn from the best, you can also live and breathe the culinary arts.
Cons
A culinary education takes time and commitment
- Becoming a top chef takes time. As well as the knowledge and expertise you will need to reach the top, you also have to put your personal life on hold and dedicate years to mastering the skills that will make you a top chef.
- If you choose to learn on the job instead of at culinary school, you may be earning a decent amount of money and acquiring some basic knowledge, but can you be sure your learning is structured in the right way? There is a risk of stagnation if you decide against taking some kind of formal culinary program.
It’s a financial investment
- There’s no escaping the fact a good culinary education is not free and you will need to make a financial investment if you want to attend culinary school.
- But for many people, it’s a good investment in the long run.
Among the many things that that make that expense worth it:
- Access to industry leading professionals who can accelerate you to the highest standard quickly
- Contacts that can unlock internships at some of the most highly regarded restaurants
- The kudos of the having attended a renowned institution that will help you stand out from the crowd and reassure employers about the standard of your education
- The business acumen you acquire, meaning you can manage a restaurant or run your own business.
It’s difficult to juggle family and social life with a culinary education
- Not everyone who attends culinary school is straight out of high school and many students have to fit their studies around family and work commitments.
- If you have to work while studying, you will never get to see your family and friends because you will always be in the kitchen. But those with a true passion for food always find a way to make it work and some schools offer flexible learning programs that can help.
Should I go to culinary school?
While not for everyone, culinary schools enable students to channel their passion for food in a structured way that makes becoming a top chef more realistic.
To get the most out of it, you need to have the drive and commitment and be prepared to work hard. But if you really want to reach the top, culinary degrees will help.
That’s especially true if you take a Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, which is a program that covers all the fundamentals and more while also giving you a real taste of what life in a professional kitchen is really like through internships.
Culinary school graduates are highly sought after in the industry because employers value not only the course content but also the kind of discipline a culinary degree program will instil in students.
What should I know before going to culinary school?
If you have decided to attend a culinary school, you should be aware that it is not only a financial investment - it’s also an investment of time.
But if you are serious about becoming a chef, it’s a genuine investment in yourself too, because it’s the best route to gaining the skills and expertise you will need to reach your goals.
Is culinary school expensive
Depending on where you choose to study and the duration of the culinary program you take. Attending a culinary school, the costs will vary from school to school.
But most culinary professionals view it as money well spent, because getting a good culinary education at a renowned school has a whole host of benefits, including:
- Access to faculty who are experts in their field
Internship opportunities you could never imagine without being a culinary student
- Business acumen that will be invaluable if you decide to open your own restaurant.
- Culinary graduates view the initial cost of their education as an investment in themselves and this is borne out in the job opportunities they unlock having the reputation of a good culinary institution behind them.
Will I have fun at culinary school?
Although it’s hard work, there is no better place in the world than a culinary school if you are passionate about food and eager to learn from the best.
You get access to top chefs every day, work alongside like-minded people who share your enthusiasm and drive to succeed and train on high-end equipment in state-of-the-art kitchens.
If your goal is to work in the food industry, culinary school will give you the perfect platform from which you can continue to grow and make your mark as a chef.
Culinary_school_worth_it.jpg
How long does it take to finish culinary school?
The length of your culinary education entirely depends on what stage of your career you are at and which of the many culinary school programs you decide to study.
For high school leavers taking a Bachelor’s culinary degree, you should expect to spend at least three years studying before you graduate, especially if your program includes an internship.
Those looking to improve on the skills they already have or seeking a change of career may opt for a diploma instead, which generally takes around nine months.
Will culinary school get me a job
There are few guarantees in life, but what’s clear is that a culinary education at a renowned school makes it much easier to land your first role on graduation.
As well as demonstrating you have learned the right variety of skills you will need, a culinary education will show employers you have the determination and commitment to the culinary arts.
Not only that, real-world experience is highly valued by restaurants, so programs with internships can be a game-changer.
Train to be a chef at one of the best culinary schools around
With expert faculty, incredible facilities and unrivalled industry connections, Ecole Ducasse offers a culinary education that provides a great return on investment.