Culinary School FAQs

More than 700 schools in the U.S. offer culinary courses. C-CAP has helped hundreds of students reach their goal of going to culinary school. These FAQs (frequently asked questions) can help you decide what’s best for you.

Can I become a chef without going to culinary school?
What will I learn in culinary school?
Is it a good idea to work while going to culinary school?
What kind of culinary program is best for me?
What should I look for in a culinary school?
How much will culinary school cost?
Can I get financial aid or scholarships?
How much financial aid can I receive?
I’ll have to take out a lot of loans in order to pay for school. What do you advise?

Q: Can I become a chef without going to culinary school?

A: You can, and there are some advantages. If you go to work right after high school, you will earn money. You will begin building your career right away. You will not have the expense of culinary school. However, there are some big drawbacks to not getting a culinary education. Think about these:

• Finding a job at a good restaurant or hotel may be difficult. More and more, chefs are hiring staff who have the skills and knowledge learned in culinary school.
• On the job, a kitchen is about production, not teaching. So you will have to work longer and harder to move up through the ranks. Each time you are promoted, the restaurant will have to train you for that position.
• You’ll only know the type of cuisine where you work. That can limit you in moving to other restaurants.

Q: What will I learn in culinary school?

A: Here’s the big picture on culinary school. It exposes you to techniques, ingredients, and theories of many cuisines. It gives you a wide variety of opportunities to experiment and test your creativity with food. You get a lot of knowledge that’s helpful. You are more prepared to work in different types of restaurants. Culinary graduates have to pay their dues in the kitchen, too. But the knowledge and training help in the long run.

Q: Is it a good idea to work while going to culinary school?

A: Yes! It’s actually the best way to learn and prepare. Just going to culinary school doesn’t guarantee a great career. In fact, you should never go through 2 to 4 years of school without working. You’ll run the risk of being unprepared for the demands of a kitchen. You need the experience of working in a “real” restaurant kitchen. Many culinary schools have schedules that allow for full-time or part-time work. If you can’t work while going to school, work during summers and holiday breaks. Also look into apprenticeship programs. They combine work and school. Check the American Culinary Federation for apprenticeship information.

Q: What kind of culinary program is best for me?

A: Start by thinking about your goals. For example, people who want to own and operate a restaurant someday often get a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Also decide on how long you want or can afford to go to school. Here are different programs:

• Certificate: You receive a certificate instead of a degree. Choose this kind of program if you want to get hands-on skills and start working quickly. Certificate programs are usually shorter and the academics are not as demanding.
• Associate’s degree (A.O.S. or A.S.): Choose this program if you want a degree but want to get into the industry sooner. It takes 2 years to get your A.O.S. or A.S.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.): Choose this program if think you want to go into management and you like to study. It takes 4 years to get your B.A.
• Master’s degree (M.A.): Choose this program if you want to teach culinary arts in high school or college. It takes up to 6 years to get your M.A.

Q: What should I look for in a culinary school?

A: Here are important questions to ask when looking at culinary schools. Try to get answers to these questions about each school you are considering. This information will help you decide which school is best for you.

• How do the courses at one school compare with the courses at another school(s)?
• Does the school focus on hands-on kitchen training or academic classes?
• What is the “student/faculty ratio” (number of students to each teacher)?
• What is the average age of the students at this school?
• As part of my education, does the school provide an externship (chance to work in a restaurant or hotel)?
• Is the school in an area where I can easily find part-time kitchen work?
• What types of jobs do graduates get?
• What is the “job-placement rate” for graduates (how many graduates get jobs)?
• Can I get the phone/e-mail of a recent graduate or current student to talk with?
• Is the school far from where I live? If so, can I afford the travel costs?
  
• What is the cost of housing and other expenses at this school compared to other schools I’m looking at?
• Do I like where this school is located (size and diversity of the community, things to do, winter or summer temperature)?

Q: How much will culinary school cost?

A: It depends on the school, where it’s located, and the specific program. A two-year community college will be much less expensive than a four-year private university. Go to www.shawguides.com (choose Career Cooking and Wine Schools) to compare costs. You’ll find different types of schools and culinary programs and their costs, including things like fees for materials. Think about all of your expenses when you are figuring out the cost of school: books, equipment/uniforms, room, board, and travel expenses.

Q: Can I get financial aid or scholarships?

A: You may qualify for scholarships, grants, or loans. Here’s the difference:

• Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit. That means how well you do in school. Good grades are extremely important to get scholarships. Positive attitude is also important. Scholarships may be based on performance, like the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships program. Scholarships do not have to be paid back.
• Financial aid is given based on financial need. You have to prove that you need financial help. There are forms to fill out and paperwork like tax returns that have to be provided.
• Grants are a type of financial aid. Grants do not have to be paid back.
• Student loans are a type of financial aid. Loans have to be paid back. Student loans have a low interest rate. You do not start repaying until you leave school.
• Work-study programs arranged by the college are a type of financial aid. You earn money by working at a job assigned by the school. For example, you might work in the school cafeteria.

Talk to the financial aid department at the colleges you’re looking at. Ask about scholarship programs and financial aid. Keep in mind that you may get less financial aid if you receive a scholarship. Make sure you know exactly what you are being offered. You can also check with your high school guidance counselor for help and advice.

Q: How much financial aid can I receive?

A: The federal government awards millions of dollars in financial aid every year. Just remember that financial aid is always based on proven need. The following are the maximum amounts for federal financial aid per academic year (for 2008-2009) for three popular federal programs:

• Pell Grants: $4,731 (do not have to be repaid)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: $4,000 (do not have to be repaid)
• Perkins Loans: $4,000 (must be repaid)
• Go to www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/student.html to learn more. Some culinary schools have maximum award amounts. Check with the financial aid office to find out.

Q: I’ll have to take out a lot of loans in order to pay for school. What do you advise?

A: An education is an investment in your future. It may be worth taking out some loans. However, remember that loans must be paid back when you leave school. “Defaulting” on (not paying back) a student loan is a big deal. It will hurt your “credit rating.” That impacts things like your ability to rent an apartment, buy a house, get a car. So you need to be sure you can pay back student loans before you get them.

Look ahead to how much money you’ll have when you graduate and start working. The average starting salary in the foodservice industry is between $5.25 and $7.25 per hour (Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics). Do this math:

• Figure you’ll have between $650 and $850 a month (after taxes are taken out).
• Estimate your monthly living expenses. Those are things like: rent, food, phone, utilities, and transportation.
• Get an estimate for the monthly payment on your loan.
• Add your loan payment to your expenses.
• Subtract that total amount from your monthly pay.
• Can you afford the loan payment? Or will you need that money for other things?

Let’s say you can’t afford a loan. Don’t give up on school. First look at other options. Many community colleges have excellent culinary and hospitality programs. If you can get federal financial aid, your education may be practically free.