Culinary arts is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world today, according to Culinaryed.com. In preparing for a career in this industry, research your options for obtaining a well-rounded culinary education. Several colleges offer a variety of programs pertaining to the culinary world and aim to prepare future restaurateurs for a successful career in the art of food and hospitality.

Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) has campuses in Providence, RI, North Miami, FL, Denver, CO, and Charlotte, NC. The school provides a well-rounded foundation in the culinary world, according to Jwu.edu, through the “unique approach of combining academics and practical skills with relevant work experience and community service.” The school, which offers a bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Food Services, costs an estimated $23,034 per academic year, as of 2010, but also offers a variety of financial aid programs to students. Students who have correctly applied for assistance are considered annually for grants, loans and scholarships.

At JWU, you can receive two culinary associated degrees in four years. After completing an Associate in Science degree, focusing on either Baking and Pastry Arts or Culinary Arts, you can move on to a Bachelor of Science degree for the final two years of studies. During the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree, students can concentrate on Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Nutrition, Food Service Entrepreneurship, and Food Service Management or Culinary Arts and Food Service Management.

JWU also offers students a variety of co-op programs and on-campus career conferences, connecting students to future employers.

As a testament to the quality of culinary education offered at JWU, according to the school’s website, “all Associate in Science degree graduates will receive first-level American Culinary Certification, a distinction normally reserved for industry professionals who must pass a test.” The Bachelor of Science degree in culinary arts programs varies from campus to campus. For information on specific campus offerings, visit Jwu.edu.

Johnson & Wales University 8 Abbott Park Place Providence, Rhode Island 02903 1-800-DIAL-JWU Jwu.edu

Kendall College

Kendall College in Chicago, Illinoism offers a four year Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Arts. The school provides students with a basis in world cuisine, as well as a strong foundation in business management skills. Students studying Culinary Arts at Kendall College have the opportunity to take part in internship programs, allowing them to gain real-world experience in culinary establishments and develop relationships with potential employers. The school also offers certificate programs to those who wish to study Baking and Pastry, Personal Chef and Catering, as well as Professional Cookery. Also available is an Associate degree in culinary arts or Baking and Pastry, where internships are mandatory, as well as classes in foreign languages, computer literacy and the humanities.

Full-time tuition at Kendall College, per academic year, is estimated at $7,150, as of 2010, however, the school is dedicated to admitting quality students “independent of financial resources,” according to Culinary.kendall.edu, and offers “merit-and-need-based scholarships” as well as low-interest loans.

Upon graduating, the Career Services Office at Kendall College “organizes interviews, helps you prepare for them and, eventually, advises you in making a decision.”

Kendall College 900 N. North Branch Street Chicago, Illinois 60642 1-800-90-KENDALL Culinary.kendall.edu

Pennsylvania College of Technology, School of Hospitality

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s School of Hospitality offers students Associate degrees in Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts Technology and Hospitality Management. The school also offers a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Systems. The Bachelor of Culinary Arts program runs for four years and prepares students for careers in the kitchen. The school offers paid internships for students.

Pennsylvania College of Technology offers financial assistance to students in need, provided they apply and are accepted for assistance and maintain satisfactory academic standing. Pennsylvania College of Technology’s also offers 11 scholarships available to students studying at the School of Hospitality.

Pennsylvania College of Technology One College Avenue Williamsport PA 17701-5799 1-800-367-9222 Ptu.edu

The Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America offers degree and certificate programs in the culinary arts in California, Texas and New York. The school, which claims to be the world’s premiere culinary college, offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree in Culinary Arts Management, which takes a total of 38 months to complete. Also available is an Associate in Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts degree, which takes 21 months to complete. Students in either program are urged to complete an 18-week paid internship at any of the 1,200 approved restaurant and food establishments across the world. Tuition at the Culinary Institute of America, as of 2010, ranges per semester, from an estimated $12,990 to an estimated $15,405, according to Ciachef.edu. The school offers a Quarter Tuition Grant for students enrolling in select entry dates.

The Culinary Institute of America 1946 Campus Drive Hyde Park, NY 12538 1-845-452-9600 Ciachef.edu