Chef Training At Home

Author: Jonathan Walker

Article:

If you want to become a Chef one day in your life, then you need

to begin training and practising sooner rather than later. You

could even start today (after you've read this of course!). Why

so soon you ask? Well because both time spent and experience is

vital in becoming a chef. The sooner you begin, the sooner you

can learn the basics and experiment with different ideas. Even

getting used to working in the kitchen is a useful start!

What is meant by working in the kitchen? Well tasks that you

would need to do on a regular basis, such as peeling, slicing,

washing, steaming, frying and anything else you can think of! To

become a chef, you will need to work your way up, the only way

to do that is to get the basic skills under your belt. That

should motivate you, you can become a sous chef or a head chef

with experience and dedication. Before you become a chef or even

working in a kitchen, you can learn a lot from cooking in your

own home. I know this doesn't sound very inspiring, but ask any

chef, they will tell you it's how the began their Career. After

all, how else do you get to experiment and hone your skills?!

If you're able to cook in your own home, then make the most of

your opportunity and do it. You wont regret it at all. Begin

with the smallest idea, or simplest recipe that you can pull of

and practise it. As you improve, add your own slant on it to

make it your own. Find alternative ways to create meals, or even

"handicap" yourself, by forcing yourself to use alternative

ingredients to replicate the pressures of kitchen life.

Learning at home is a great thing to do while you're studying in

Catering College or Culinary School. You can always invite

people around and ask for their opinions. You could even

replicate an environment where you need to cook under pressure,

perhaps you could devise a menu to give your guests a variety of

choice? Use your imagination based on your level of skills to

progress. You will learn that training and practising for Chef

Jobs doesn't have to be more expensive than it needs to be.

Take advantage of what is available to you in and around your

home and you will reap the rewards later on in your career.

About the author:

This article is written by Jonathan Walker of

href="http://www.ukcateringcareers.co.uk">Chef Jobs

How do I go about finding a culinary internship?

The majority of culinary programs have a built in externship or internship component, meaning that work at an off-site location is required for graduation. Many schools with such a requirement offer placement assistance to their students. This might be done through the culinary arts department or through the career services department. If your school doesn't have an internship or externship requirement and you want to do one anyway, definitely visit the career services office. They may know of opportunities for you and have contacts to help you get placed, or they may be able to help you with the process of finding an internship.

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

Can I go to culinary school online?

Truthfully, there are not a ton of options for the would-be online culinary student. However, for those students with diplomas, certificates, or associate degrees, there are bachelor's degree completion programs offered online. These programs build upon the hands-on, practical work already completed and allow students an opportunity to complete general education requirements and the management courses required of a culinary arts bachelor's degree. For more on online culinary programs, consider reading "Learn About Online Culinary Schools".

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

What kinds of programs are offered at culinary schools?

Everyone knows that the world's best chefs are trained at culinary schools, but aside from teaching the fundamentals of good cooking and presentation, culinary schools also offer a variety of programs in baking and pastry, hospitality, and management. Baking and pastry programs are aimed at students who want to stay on the bread and dessert end of the business. Hospitality is a great major for the student who wants to work at a hotel or resort, while other management programs prepare students for restaurant, hotel, and resort management positions.

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

How can I make sure I'm picking a good culinary school?

Check on its accreditation. All good culinary schools should have current accreditation from an organization approved by the United States Department of Education. Accreditation is important for culinary schools because it shows that their programs meet a standard set of requirements. Two accrediting bodies for culinary schools are the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology and the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation. They can tell you how current a school is on its accreditation. For more about choosing a quality culinary program, read "How to Choose a Cooking School" from CookingSchools.com.

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

About Culinary Arts Programs (15-21)

of International Culinary School

15. Food & Beverage Management

The Food & Beverage Management program is an exciting offering. If you know this is for you, request more information and we will get back to you soon. We will shortly have more detailed information about this program.

16. Hospitality & Restaurant Business Management

The Hospitality & Restaurant Business Management program prepares you for positions in hotels and restaurants by providing a foundation in business and management skills. Coursework emphasizes problem solving and communication skills that will help a manager to better understand the ever-changing professional food service and hospitality management industry. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager or catering manager in restaurants, cruise ships, and banquet facilities.

17. Hotel & Restaurant Management

In the Hotel and Restaurant Management program, you’ll study the skills needed to pursue management positions inside of hotels and restaurants. Coursework focuses on communications, training, leadership, management, human resources, technology, accounting, marketing, financial management, and customer relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager or catering manager in restaurants, cruise ships, and banquet facilities.

18. Pastry Arts

In the Pastry Arts program, you’ll gain hands-on pastry creation skills. You’ll learn fundamental pastry techniques, in addition to the basics of all-purpose baking, desserts, and cake decoration. To complement your culinary techniques, you’ll learn critical thinking and business tips.

19. Restaurant Management

In the Restaurant Management program, you’ll study the skills needed to pursue management positions within the restaurant industry. You’ll take courses that provide an overview of employee communication skills, training, leadership, management, human resources, technology, accounting, marketing, financial management, and customer relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager or catering manager in restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships, and banquet facilities.

20. Restaurant & Catering Management

In the Restaurant & Catering Management program, you’ll gain knowledge that will benefit you as you pursue management positions within the food service industry. Coursework focuses on communications, training, leadership, management, human resources, technology, accounting, marketing, financial management, and customer relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager or catering manager in restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships, and banquet facilities.

21. Wine, Spirits, & Beverage Management

In the Wines, Spirits & Beverages Management program, you’ll focus on the process of overseeing wines, spirits, and beverages supplies for restaurants, cruise ships, or banquet facilities. You’ll study communications, training, leadership, management, accounting, marketing, financial management, and employee relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager, inventory manager, or banquet manager.

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

About Culinary Arts Programs (8-14)

of International Culinary School

8. Culinary Arts – Baking & Pastry

In the Baking & Pastry program, you’ll gain hands-on baking skills. Emphasis is placed on fundamental pastry and bread-baking techniques, in addition to all-purpose baking, desserts, cake decoration, and pastry arts. To complement your culinary techniques, you’ll learn critical thinking and business essentials. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as line cook and pantry cook (grade manger).

9. Culinary Arts – Culinary Skills

In the Culinary Skills program, you’ll gain practical knowledge of the techniques required to succeed in culinary arts. From choosing the correct knife to the proper use of specialized kitchen equipment, you’ll achieve insight and valuable knowledge from experienced culinary professionals. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as line cook and pantry cook (grade manger).

10. Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management

How does a restaurant run? There’s the cuisine – but there’s also management to oversee the day-to-day operations of the kitchen, dining room, and staff. The Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management program balances culinary theory and practice. Students learn cooking, baking, communications, and management skills. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as prep cook, line cook, assistant food service manager, and assistant food and beverage manager.

11. Culinary Arts & Restaurant Ownership

In the Culinary Arts & Restaurant Ownership program, you will focus on the kitchen, customer service, and business sides of the food service industry. In addition to culinary arts courses that fine-tune food preparation skills and kitchen teamwork, you’ll gain knowledge of management, marketing, human resources, accounting, financial management, and customer relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager, kitchen manager, or line cook.

12. Culinary Arts Management

In the Culinary Arts Management program, you’ll focus on what it takes to manage a kitchen, restaurant, or catering operation. You’ll study communications, training, leadership, management, accounting, marketing, financial management, and employee relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager or catering manager in restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships, and banquet facilities.

13. Culinary Management

In the Culinary Management program, you’ll focus on communications, training, leadership, management, accounting, marketing, financial management, and employee relations. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant manager or catering manager in restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships, and banquet facilities.

14. Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership

In the Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership program, you’ll gain knowledge that will benefit you as you pursue ownership opportunities in the food service industry. Communications, training, leadership, management, human resources, technology, accounting, marketing, financial management, and customer relations are emphasized. You’ll have the opportunity to build business plans and fine-tune the skills needed to handle the demanding tasks of restaurant management. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as restaurant owner, restaurant manager, or kitchen manager.

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

About Culinary Arts Programs (1-7)

of International Culinary School
1. The Art of Cooking

In the Art of Cooking program, you’ll focus on cooking skills, baking, pastry, and American regional cuisine. You’ll learn plating and presentation as you build upon your cooking experience. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as line cook or pantry cook.

2. Art of Cooking

In the Art of Cooking program, you’ll focus on cooking skills, baking, pastry, and American regional cuisine. You’ll learn plating and presentation as you build upon your cooking experience.


3. Baking & Pastry

In the Baking & Pastry program, you’ll gain hands-on baking skills. Emphasis is placed on fundamental pastry and bread-baking techniques, in addition to all-purpose baking, desserts, cake decoration, and pastry arts. To complement your culinary techniques, you’ll learn critical thinking and business essentials. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as line cook and pantry cook (grade manger).


4. Baking & Pastry Arts

In the Baking & Pastry Arts program, you’ll learn baking skills with an emphasis on fundamental pastry and bread-baking techniques. You’ll also study all-purpose baking, desserts, cake decoration, and pastry arts. To accentuate your culinary knowledge, you’ll learn critical thinking and work as a member of a team.

5. Baking & Pastry Arts Level 1

In the Baking & Pastry Arts Level 1 program, you’ll learn baking skills with an emphasis on fundamental pastry and bread-baking techniques. You’ll also study all-purpose baking, desserts, cake decoration, and pastry arts. To accentuate your culinary knowledge, you’ll learn critical thinking and work as a member of a team.

6. Baking & Pastry Arts Level 2

In the Baking & Pastry Arts Level 2 program, you’ll learn baking skills with an emphasis on fundamental pastry and bread-baking techniques. You’ll also study all-purpose baking, desserts, cake decoration, and pastry arts. To accentuate your culinary knowledge, you’ll learn critical thinking and work as a member of a team.

7. Culinary Arts

In the Culinary Arts program, you’ll gain practical experience in the kitchen while studying the business of cost control, sanitation and safety, menu and beverage management, nutrition, and kitchen management. You’ll learn to produce food quickly and in quantity while working with others. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as line cook and pantry cook (grade manger).

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

International Culinary Schools

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes are North America's largest network of culinary schools with over 40 locations in the US and Canada. At an International Culinary School, you will learn the fundamental cooking and management skills essential for a career in the culinary arts and be introduced to a variety of world cuisines to help you become a more versatile and creative culinarian. The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes offer diploma, associate's, and bachelor's degree programs* in areas such as baking and pastry, culinary arts and management, and food and beverage management*.

*All programs may not be offered at each location.

Locations:

Arlington, VA (D.C. Area) Atlanta, GA Charleston, SC Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Dallas, TX Denver, CO Detroit, MI Fort Lauderdale, FL Houston, TX Indianapolis, IN Jacksonville, FL Las Vegas, NV Los Angeles, CA (Santa Monica) Minneapolis, MN New York, NY Nashville, TN Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Pittsburgh, PA Orange County, CA (Santa Ana) Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Bernardino, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Sunnyvale, CA Seattle, WA Tampa, FL Tucson, AZ Vancouver, BC Online Programs: The Art of Cooking Art of Cooking Baking & Pastry Baking & Pastry Arts Baking & Pastry Arts Level 1 Baking & Pastry Arts Level 2 Culinary Arts Culinary Arts – Baking & Pastry Culinary Arts – Culinary Skills Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management Culinary Arts & Restaurant Ownership Culinary Arts Management Culinary Management Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership Food & Beverage Management Hospitality & Restaurant Business Management Hotel & Restaurant Management Pastry Arts Restaurant Management Restaurant & Catering Management Wine, Spirits, & Beverage Management To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

The Art Institute Online is:

The Art Institute Online (commonly abbreviated AiO) is the online branch of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. As of October, 2007 it has been rebranded as "The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division." A part of the system of 35 Art Institutes located in Pittsburgh, PA North America, this online school offers degree programs as well as non-degree diploma courses in a variety of creative fields. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division allows busy people to attend art training and education, but also serves as an online class environment for on-ground Art Institute students.

Nationally accredited as a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division offers degree programs for Advertising, Fashion & Retail Management, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Interactive Media, Media Arts & Animation, Game Art & Design and Hotel & Restaurant Management. The online class environment follows the Socratic method, making classroom discussion and participation in the learning experience key aspects of the learning model.

From Wikipedia

To request a free information packet at culinaryschools.net

Credit (education)

A credit is a unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course.

United States

In the United States, a student in a high school or university earns credits for the successful completion of each course for each academic term. The state or the institution generally sets a minimum number of credits required to graduate. Various systems of credits exist: one per course, one per hour/week in class, one per hour/week devoted to the course (including homework), etc.

Europe

In Europe a common credit system has been introduced. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is in some European countries used as the principal credit and grading system in universities while other countries use the ECTS as a secondary credit system for exchange students. In ECTS a full study-year normally consists of 60 credits. Grades are given in the A-E range, where F is fail. Schools are also allowed to use a pass/fail evaluation in the ECTS system.

From Wikipedia

The Art Institutes is:

The Art Institutes (often abbreviated as Ai) is a collection of private, for-profit educational institutions for career preparation in the visual, creative, and applied arts, including design, media, fashion, and culinary programs. There are 41 Art Institutes located in major cities across North America, and have over 125,000 graduates. The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, also has online courses available. The Art Institutes awards master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate’s degrees, and non-degree programs. Ai is headquartered in Pittsburgh, a division of Education Management Corporation (EDMC). Educational accreditation of The Art Institutes and their programs varies among campuses and programs; the accreditation status and career orientation of the institutions and their programs may cause some students to experience difficulty transferring Ai credits or enrolling in graduate programs.

From Wikipidia

High School Chefs -- Start Your Ovens!

Author: The Art Institutes

Article:

[PITTSBURGH, JANUARY 31, 2008] The International

Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes are summoning what could

be the next generation of Emerils, Rachaels and Bobbys to chop,

dice and sauté their way to The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef

Competition 2008.

Open to high school seniors in the U.S. and Canada (excluding

residents of Quebec), the Best Teen Chef Competition was created

to encourage and recognize young culinary talent.

Now in its ninth year, the Best Teen Chef Competition awards

prize winning competitors more than $250,000 in tuition

scholarships to attend The Art Institutes schools. Top prize

winners in the competition can win a full-tuition scholarship

toward an associate's degree, certificate or diploma program, to

study culinary arts at one of the more than 30 participating Art

Institutes locations. In addition to a full-tuition scholarship

and the title of Best Teen Chef 2008, the first place winner in

the national competition, in partnership with Food Network, will

be an "Intern for a Day" at the Food Network Kitchens in New

York City. The winner will also receive a tour of the Food

Network Studios, dinner for two at a Food Network chef's

restaurant and a library of Food Network Kitchens cookbooks.

We are gratified that in the nine years we have sponsored the

Best Teen Chef Competition, the quantity and quality of the

students entering the competition increases, says Chef

Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The

Art Institutes. Hundreds of students from the U.S. and Canada

enter the competition each year in hopes of winning the grand

prize, and more importantly, an opportunity to launch their

education with a degree in culinary arts.

To be eligible to participate in the competition, high school

seniors must first send a completed entry and release form to

The Art Institutes school where they wish to enter the

competition or complete an online entry form at

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/Competitions/BestTeenChef.aspx?prid=

btc_0108_005_pr, by February 8, 2008. Deadline for receipt of

completed entries is February 29, 2008. Local Best Teen Chef

Cook-off Competitions will be held at participating Art

Institutes locations on April 12, 2008. The National Best Teen

Chef Final Round Competition will be held on Saturday, May 17,

2008, at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. For more information on

The Best Teen Chef Competition 2008, visit

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/Competitions/BestTeenChef.aspx?prid=

btc_0108_005_pr. ###

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over

40 education institutions located throughout North America,

providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and

culinary arts professionals.

Contact: Jacquelyn P. Muller Vice President, Public Relations

The Art Institutes 412.995.7262 jpmuller@aii.edu

Devra Pransky The Art Institutes 412.995.7685 dpransky@aii.edu

About the author:

About The Art Institutes: The Art Institutes

(www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 40 education

institutions located throughout North America, providing an

important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary

arts professionals.

Occupational outlook:

The occupation outlook for chefs, restaurant managers, dieticians, and nutritionists is fairly good, with "as fast as the average" growth. Increasingly a college education with formal qualifications is required for success in this field.

Culinary Art International Colleges of Education:

• International Culinary School at The Art Institutes (many locations)
• Le Cordon Bleu College Of Culinary Arts (many locations)
• New England Culinary Institute
• The Art Institutes Online
• North Shore International Academy, Auckland, New Zealand
• School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, DIT, Dublin, Ireland
• California School of Culinary Arts Pasadena
• Orlando Culinary Academy
• Texas Culinary Academy
• Pennsylvania Culinary Institute
• The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago
• Lincoln College of Technology
• The Culinary Institute of America
• Scottsdale Culinary Institute
• Arizona Culinary Institute
• Oregon Culinary Institute

From Wikipedia

Possible careers in culinary arts:

There are a wide variety of balls in the culinary arts profession. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some opportunities available to those interested in working as culinary professionals.

• Chef and Cooks
• Work directly with the preparation of food for service in various establishments including full-service restaurants, catering facilities, institutional dining, corporate dining, and other various venues.
• Dining Room Service
• Food and Beverage Managers –
• Manage all food and beverage outlets in hotels and other large establishments
• Food and Beverage Controllers
• Purchase and source ingredients in large hotels as well as manage the stores and stock control.
• Consultants and Design Specialists
• Works with restaurant owners in development of menus, layout and design of dining room and establishing kitchen protocols.
• Salespeople
• Introduces chefs and business owners to new products and is able to demonstrate the proper use of equipment. They may sell any range of products needed in the industry from various food products to equipment.
• Teachers
• Train future culinary professionals with their experience in the classroom.
• Food Writers and Food Critics
• Establish a public contact with the public on food trends, chefs and restaurants. Many write for newspapers, magazines and some publish books. Notables in this field include Julia Child, Craig Claiborne and James Beard.
• Food Stylists and Photographers
• Work with magazines, books, catalogs and promotional and advertising to make them visually appealing.
• Research and Development Kitchens
• Develop new products for commercial manufacturers, they can also be test kitchens for publications or others can be kitchens for restaurant chains or grocery chains.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Many culinarians develop their own business with examples including restaurants, bakeries, special food manufacture (chocolates, cheese etc).

From Wikipedia

Careers in culinary arts:

The culinary arts profession is made up of people who work either directly or indirectly in the preparation and service of food items in the public or private sector. They work in a range of establishments including, but not limited to hotels, full-service restaurants, private clubs, corporate dining, institutional catering, caterers, and home meal replacement (carry-out). There are huge opportunities for international travel for culinarians who wish to gain experience as the skills of the culinary arts are transferrable worldwide. Many of the leading culinarians will have spent time traveling to increase their knowledge and skills. With the increased demands of the consumers for nutrition, quality, sophistication in all parts of the culinary industry, today's culinary professional needs to be well educated, trained and prepared to meet the consumers demands.

From Wikipedia