Do You Need a Degree to Become a Chef

You do not need a degree to become a chef, but most chefs have a high school diploma and culinary training. Even if you can whip up a delicious dinner in your home kitchen, cooking as a chef in a commercial kitchen is much different. And it is not just about the cooking. You also need to develop menus, create new dishes, and understand the science of food. While you do not need to go to college to gain those skills, it helps to learn from experienced professionals who have worked in the food industry. And you can do that at a trade school -- but that is not the only benefit of trade school training to become a chef.

Gain Hands-On Chef Training at a Trade School

A culinary institute offers hands-on, skills-based chef training that helps you prepare for entry-level employment. You learn the fundamentals of food service and the history of the culinary industry. You are introduced to the science behind cooking and how to explore tastes, identify culinary products, and safely prepare food. From classic cooking to international cuisine, you are immersed in all kinds of food and food preparation. But you also learn important chef skills like proper seasonings, flavor parings, knife techniques, and how to handle the many tools of the trade.

Another important component of a trade school education is the externship. On an externship, you have the chance to gain real-world experience in a kitchen at a local restaurant where you work under the supervision of a head chef. Some programs even pair you with restaurants that pay an hourly wage, so you earn while you learn. That means you have real work experience to place at the top of your resume.

Learn in Fully Equipped Kitchens at Chef School

Trade schools for culinary training offer fully equipped kitchens that mimic commercial kitchens with industry-standard equipment and tools. You use pots, pans, mixers, and more. From the ovens you cook with to the knives that you use to slice, dice, chop, and cube, the products you use will give you the feel of a real restaurant kitchen.

Learn from Experienced Instructors at Culinary Trade School

You train under instructors who have real-world experience. They have worked as chefs before and understand what it takes to make it in the food industry. They can teach you the skills you need to prepare food and what food service is all about. You learn about the brigade system and have the opportunity to prep and work in the kitchen and dining room. Your instructors can also share real world anecdotes about what it is like to work in the culinary industry.

Finish Trade School Culinary Training More Quickly than College

While four-year college programs can teach you culinary arts, they also require lots of general education courses. Trade school can help you get to work more quickly. Within a year, you can complete culinary arts training. Trade school focuses on the core skills and knowledge you need for your chosen profession, instead of general college courses that have nothing to do with your future career. With a more focused curriculum, you can develop your skills in a shorter amount of time, getting you to work faster.

Avoid Four-Year College Tuition Costs by Going to Chef School

Because you do not have to take as many gen-ed courses and have a shorter time to completion, your trade school tuition is likely to be less expensive than you would find at a four-year degree program. And unlike traditional college, you will likely not spend money on room and board. That means trade school can be a more affordable option for culinary arts training.

Access Smaller Class Sizes in Chef Training

Trade schools often have smaller class sizes, which means you can receive more individualized instruction from your teachers. Your teachers can spend a little more time with you, especially if there is a topic you do not understand or a skill you struggle to hone. You can also develop relationships with your instructors and your peers. These relationships are the building blocks of your new professional network, and they can become invaluable to your career. If you need a letter of recommendation, a reference, or connection to a job, they start by forging relationships in culinary school.

Continuous Enrollment at Trade Schools

College admissions typically run on a fall and spring schedule, but a trade school offers continuous enrollment. That means you can submit your application when you are ready, without having to wait for a specific deadline. Your classes will start as soon as the next cohort begins, so you do not have to wait for a specific term to get your education under way.

If you are ready to start on the path to a career as a chef, contact Lincoln Technical Institute. Through our Lincoln Culinary Institute, we offer a Culinary Arts training program that can prepare you for an entry-level career in a restaurant or other food service businesses. Our program can be completed in 12 to 16 months, depending on which Lincoln Culinary institute you attend, and our curriculum incorporates modern cooking techniques along with an externship that allows you to put your skills into practice. Fill out the form to learn more.

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