Have you been thinking about beginning a career in the culinary arts? Are you motivated to develop your culinary skills and learn what it takes to manage a restaurant? Perhaps you're ready to find the right place to start your education and training. If this is you, here's what to look for in a culinary arts school!

Experience training in the culinary field

Choose a culinary school that knows how to train students to become professional chefs. How can you tell? Find out how long they've been in business. Have they been at it for just a few years? 20 or more? It makes a difference! Culinary arts schools with a long history have stood the test of time and have learned how to stay relevant. They employ instructors that are professionals from the culinary world who not only know how to teach, but also know what students are likely to encounter on the job. Their talent and years of dedication to the field make them an invaluable resource!

Hands-on, industry-modeled training

While there are components to your education that can happen online, if you want a real-world culinary arts experience, you need hands-on training in industry-modeled kitchens. You'll want to train in a fully equipped environment where you'll learn to prepare stocks and sauces, fabricate meats and poultry, utilize different cooking methods, prepare restaurant style desserts, and prepare cuisines from various reqions of the world. Having access to the same equipment and tools found in a professional kitchen is a must!

Culinary arts externships

Another important part of your training should be experience in the real world. Will your program provide you an opportunity to work in a restaurant and learn day-to-day operations of the business? Not only do externships give you the chance to try out your skills; you get to meet, learn from, and interact with the pros.

Accredited school and program

Is the school's program accredited? Accreditation means that a school is regularly assessed to ensure that programs meet or exceed strict industry standards of quality and are properly preparing students for their chosen fields. Look for accreditation through an organization such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). In addition, a culinary arts program might be recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC) as an Exemplary Program. The award is presented to programs that have proven full compliance with all ACFEFAC accreditation requirements along with excellent management of the program.

Now that you know what to look for in a culinary arts program, your next step is to find a good culinary arts school near you. Conveniently located in south-central Pennsylvania, YTI Career Institute's Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management program can teach you the skills you need to begin your culinary arts career in as few as 20 months! Our talented, dedicated instructors will train you in well-equipped teaching kitchens and a theater style demonstration kitchen. Visit our Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management program page to learn more and to apply!