Benefits Of A Culinary Education

Most people learn the basics of cooking in their own kitchens. Maybe you have a few signature recipes; maybe you're a favorite at neighborhood potlucks. Certainly your friends and family don't complain about what you set down for dinner. But you yearn for more and want to take your culinary skills beyond the home kitchen. Culinary school is not only for people trying to break into a career as a chef; the benefits of a culinary certificate or degree are applicable to even the most modest chef. Formal cooking education teaches a number of valuable skills.

Essential Culinary Skills Learned in School

Cooking Basics Culinary schools start at the ground level, ensuring that the basics are ingrained in the students and any bad techniques and habits are unlearned. These lessons include mastering proper knife techniques and what utensils to use for what dishes. They also cover education in nutrition, flavor pairings and culinary theory. You'll be taught to prepare a diverse range of dishes, including some that incorporate obscure ingredients and cultural preparations you may never have experienced.

Handling Pressure and Teamwork Earning a culinary arts certificate means you've been trained to handle the pressure of a professional kitchen. Cooking at a restaurant is not like cooking at home; teamwork is vital and no chef prepares dishes alone. Several people are involved by the time one plate is complete and culinary school prepares you to work effectively within that team. You'll also learn what the "flow" of the professional kitchen is and cope with rushes and large crowds. Being taught to manage this pressure will help you cope with stress both in and out of the kitchen.

Food Safety and Accountability No one is likely to become a master chef straight out of culinary school, but the curriculum ensures you are aware of the skills and demands of this role. Food safety is a primary concern in any professional kitchen environment, and learning proper safety and handling techniques makes a difference in your health at home, too. You learn to be accountable for your own safety and for that of everyone who eats your food.

This accountability extends beyond safety as well. Youll be taught how to do food costing and budgeting for a restaurant, which will serve you well in reducing personal grocery costs. Additionally, management skills are as important for a master chef, and learning how to manage employees will provide you with interpersonal skills you can take anywhere.

Culinary school may be a professional decision or one based on passion, hobby or curiosity. Regardless of what it represents to you, it is important to know what the purpose of a culinary arts certificate really is: to go beyond teaching exotic cuisine and wine-pairings and to expose the student to the world of the culinary arts, including lessons that can't be self-taught. Even if you never pursue a career in cooking, a culinary education will increase your awareness of the food on your plate, how your personal kitchen is managed and your confidence in managing others.