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Culinary Arts Degrees

The term Mise en place literally means ’set in place’. Learn what every aspiring culinary professional should know….

Working in the culinary arts brings so many perks of its own that it’s probably not even worth talking about the career growth and salary statistics that accompany the job.  After all, you spend the vast majority of each day working in the kitchen doing something that you absolutely love; making delicious food for appreciative customers.  Every day comes with new challenges, new requests, and occasional problems, but work in the culinary arts sure beats working in a gray office cubicle, any day of the week.  However, before you quit your office day job, it’s important that you understand the degree requirements required to work in the culinary arts.

Formal Training in the Culinary Arts
Even if you already have an impressive selection of recipes passed on by your grandmother, you’ll still need formal training from an accredited culinary arts program.  For not only will you learn the necessary cooking skills, but you’ll also cover important areas such as hospitality, restaurant management, kitchen management, business administration, health codes, sanitation inspections, ingredient selection, inventory, first aid, and all the other important areas necessary to work in a professional kitchen environment.  Most employers prefer at least an associates degree in the field, but securing a bachelors or masters degree will help you climb the ranks even faster.

Career Outlook after a Culinary Arts Degree Program
Through 2014, the US Department of Labor predicts the larger field of cooking and food preparation will grow anywhere from 9% to 17%.  Keep in mind that many people who work in the culinary arts work only as seasonal or part-time food preparers, short order cooks, and low skilled labor.  If you have a bachelors degree or higher in the culinary arts, you’re likely to surpass the current median salary of $15 an hour, and make daily wages more commensurate with your experience and education.

US Department of Labor