In 2019, the number of chefs and cooks employed in the USA was around five hundred thousand. There is an increasing demand for chefs and the like in the USA as more food chains are being opened.
For a career in the culinary arts, a person would need more than a desire to become one. Honing skills through education and experience is vital to becoming a chef. Culinary schools provide people with both.
This article will go through the top 5 culinary schools in the USA that you can join to further your career in the culinary arts.
Top 5 Culinary Schools in the USA
Below is the list of the best culinary schools in the USA.
Institute of Culinary Education
The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is located in Manhattan, New York, and has another campus in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1975 and was ranked first amongst the Culinary Schools in America with an 87% percent graduation rate and more than fourteen thousand graduates.
The institute offers many degree programs that can be completed in six to thirteen months. These programs include:
- Culinary Arts
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Hospitality Management
- Restaurant and Hotel Management
No specific admission criteria need to be met as the institute has a 100% acceptance rate.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is located in Austin, Texas, and Boulder, Colorado. It is the only culinary school that allows students to attend 100% of their classes online.
The school has a graduation rate of 72% and was ranked fourth by Niche. They offer several diplomas and degrees that can be completed in up to two years. Majors offered by the Auguste Escoffier School include:
- Culinary Arts
- Food Service
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Culinary Nutrition
- Culinary Science
- Restaurant Management
- Food and Beverage Management
Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America is a private college founded in 1946. The main campus is in Hyde Park, New York, with branches in California and Texas. It is considered one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the USA, with a graduation rate of 70%.
As a top private school, the Culinary Institute of America has a strict acceptance rate of 98% and requires that candidates have prior culinary experience.
They offer several majors to students, including a six-year bachelor’s degree, a two-year associate degree, and a two-year master’s degree. The majors include:
- Culinary Arts
- Food Service
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Restaurant Management
- Specialty Baking
Sullivan University National Center for Hospitality Studies
The Sullivan University is a private organization located in Louisville, Kentucky. It was awarded an ‘Exemplary’ rating by the American Culinary Federation and had a brutal graduation rate of 42%.
Sullivan Universities offers two diploma programs, three certificate programs, four associate degrees, and a bachelor’s in hospitality management. They also provide career services that help graduates find a job in their field.
Sullivan university is one of the top culinary schools in the USA for its diverse and intense programs. Their programs include:
- Culinary Arts
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Nutritionist Program
- Food Science Program
Kendall College School of Culinary Arts
The Kendall College School of Culinary Arts is a private college located in Chicago, Illinois, and is a division of the National Louis University. It focuses more on practical learning than theoretical, and all teaching staff consists of chefs with more than ten years of experience in the culinary world.
Kendall College has a partnership with the Les Roches International School of Hotel Management and offers opportunities through internship opportunities. With a 98% acceptance rate and a graduation rate of 33%, almost 93% of graduates of Kendall college find employment within six months of graduation.
Kendall College teaches international cuisine, including Asian, mandarin, and south American, and introduces practical experience with industrial equipment. Their programs include:
- Culinary Arts
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Hotel Management
- International Cuisine
- Nutrition Sciences
Conclusion
Culinary schools in the USA are some of the top culinary schools in the world and are respected worldwide. To further a culinary and baking arts career, education is necessary to develop core principles and a skill set that can set chefs apart.
The top five culinary schools in the USA mentioned above are accredited culinary schools that are sure to boost your career as a chef or baker. Choose a culinary school that is right for you and that can help you reach your potential.
