Culinary College
Giving insight to Parents!

So your child wants to go to culinary school, but you are concerned that they need to get a "real education" before going to a "cooking school." This is a common apprehension and while culinary school may not sound like the most lucrative career choice, some of the facts might surprise you. Good chefs are in high demand and they can make excellent money in the long run. If going to culinary school is their dream, let your child go for it. Your child may find that they want to move on to something else later on; your encouragement and support will go a long way in helping explore their world and find their place in it. It is important that you get involved in their future, it is the only one they have.

Remember, keep an open mind. If you do the research, like your children have, you may change your mind about the advantages of culinary school. While attending a culinary arts program is not the only way into the culinary industry, formal training can provide your child with an extensive knowledge of proper techniques, high-end ingredients and the ins and outs of the business. By attending a culinary arts program with the determination to learn as much as they can, the student will come away with a valuable education that can help them reach their career goals. Find culinary student forums online and look over some of the topics being discussed. I also recommend that students get some experience in the field before enrolling. Your child could work part-time in a local restaurant to see if it is the right fit for them. Or, they could shadow a professional for a day or two. They could join culinary clubs while in high school or take a few summer recreational cooking classes. Encourage them to talk to a lot of people and to select their school of choice wisely. You and your child should visit different campuses, talk to the counselors and some of the students if possible. During the tour, talk to some of the instructors and pick their brains about being in the industry. When your student finds the "right" culinary school, make sure the curriculum is the perfect fit for the direction they would like to see their career take.

Remember, becoming a chef is a lifestyle, not just a career. Talk to your child – you may be surprised on why they want to go to Culinary School! Make sure they understand that the hours in this business are long and they will give up many of the best hours of their lives for their craft…nights, weekends, holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. They are going to spend a lot of time and money on that education. Make sure that they are truly committed. Just like most entry level jobs, salaries for new chefs are not extravagant but there are numerous opportunities to advance. Yes, the life of a chef is difficult, but if it is what your child wants to do, it can also be a very rewarding career. If you allow your child to pursue their dream, chances are they will succeed and be happy as well.

It is also important to understand that not everyone who earns a culinary degree becomes a chef. There are a wide variety of careers that are food related. For example, graduates of JNA Institute of Culinary Arts become culinary instructors, food critics, TV personalities, hotel and restaurant managers, food and beverage managers, catering managers, food stylist/photographers, authors, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. Make sure you stop in on the career services department when you visit culinary schools. This department should be able to provide you and your child with pay ranges from actual graduates of the school to where their alumni are currently working. Also, check out their externship programs, and see the percentages of students who stay with their externship even after they graduate. Additionally, encourage your child to stay in school long enough to complete an Associate's Degree if one is offered and they will expand their options even further.

No matter what you and your child decide - college can be a transforming experience. It is a time when students will learn about themselves and the world in which they live. It also is a period of transition, and you might encounter changes in your son's or daughter's thought processes, behaviors, maturity, and decision-making skills. But it is important for you to talk with your son or daughter about what it takes to be successful at culinary arts. Success in college requires students to balance priorities while developing new skills and ways of thinking. Just because students are heading off to college and embarking upon their culinary careers, it does not mean that they are leaving you behind. They still need your wisdom, your support and your love. They just need you in different ways.

Article written by Michele Aquino, Director of Admissions, JNA Institute of Culinary Arts in Philadelphia, PA.