{"id":15906,"date":"2022-04-20T10:00:58","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T15:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/?p=15906"},"modified":"2024-11-06T18:45:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T00:45:20","slug":"culinary-school-versus-work-your-way-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/value-of-culinary-education\/culinary-school-versus-work-your-way-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Culinary School vs. Working in a Kitchen: Which Should You Do First?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve probably heard the saying, \u201cyou\u2019ve got to pay your dues.\u201d But in the culinary world, this process can look different for everyone.<\/p>\n

If you want to become a chef or own a restaurant, you might be considering whether you should attend culinary school or get hands-on experience by working your way up in a professional kitchen. It turns out that these can actually be complementary pursuits! There\u2019s no one clear path for aspiring culinarians, so let\u2019s explore the benefits of getting a formal education vs. working in the industry first.<\/p>\n

Why You Should Consider Going to Culinary School First<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re an aspiring chef, a seasoned cook who needs a formal education to make that next career move, or an entrepreneur who wants to open your own food service establishment: culinary school may be perfect for you.<\/p>\n

There are many roads to becoming a chef<\/a>. If you already have professional kitchen experience, that\u2019s a great thing! But you also don\u2019t need it in order to get a culinary education. In fact, culinary school can allow you to explore your passions, hone your practical and business skills, network with like-minded people\u2026 and much more.<\/p>\n

Culinary School Can Help You Quickly Hone Fundamental Culinary Skills<\/h3>\n

A good culinary curriculum should provide you with a well-rounded education. Escoffier\u2019s culinary school<\/a>, for example, starts with foundational coursework in kitchen terminology, basic seasoning and cooking methods, knife skills, mise en place, and food safety and sanitation.<\/p>\n

After these courses, you might start building more advanced knowledge, like patisserie skills, menu design, and sustainable practices. Like working in a kitchen, you can also hone these skills through practice. But getting instant feedback and tips for improving \u2013 in an environment where you\u2019re not under pressure to prove yourself in order to keep your job \u2013 is a definite perk of culinary school.<\/p>\n

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\"Escoffier\u201cHonestly, without [culinary education] I wouldn\u2019t be nearly as successful. The knowledge I gained helped me rise quickly as a chef. I may have still started at the bottom rungs of the ladder, but I certainly wouldn\u2019t be working where I am now.\u201d*
\nMax Feist, Culinary Arts Graduate<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Get Practical Business Education if You\u2019re a Budding Food Entrepreneur<\/h3>\n

If your goal is to become an executive chef, restaurant manager, or restaurant owner, it can certainly be beneficial to have the business side of things down rather than winging it as you go. Fortunately, you can start to explore these foundations in culinary school.<\/p>\n

Escoffier\u2019s curriculum includes topics like cost control and inventory management, foodservice operations and principles of great customer service, effective communication, and more. When working in a kitchen, it can be easy to spot what you like and dislike \u2013 then try to create your ideal environment when you open your own restaurant. But actually putting your ideas into practice isn\u2019t always a straightforward process, and managing team dynamics and business-related challenges might be a whole lot easier with formal training.<\/p>\n