Culinary Schools in Virginia

The state of Virginia has one of the fastest growing media and technology sectors in the US. The state is home to a number of corporations in addition to the Department of Defense, the CIA and the FBI.
Culinary arts are the study of how to prepare and manage food and beverages. The discipline deals with the preparation and presentation of food items according to different settings and social occasions. Culinary arts also include detailed information about the nutritional details of food and various diets.

How to find a quality food school in Virginia?

If you want to select a culinary school that provides quality education and offers better career prospects, follow the tips below.

• Make sure your school is accredited by the American Culinary Foundation.
• Compare the costs of culinary schools and select the one that you can afford without incurring too much student loan debt.
• Look for schools that are running for a longer period of time, as they have experience and a bigger pool of alumni.
• Check if the school you have in mind offers modern facilities for learning culinary arts.
• Find a school that lets you acquire hands-on experience with the help of a student operated restaurant.

Which degrees are offered by culinary schools in Virginia?

A number of degrees are offered by culinary schools in Virginia. The major degree levels offered by culinary schools are as follows.

• Certificate/ Diploma take 6 months to 1 year to complete.
• Associate degree takes around 2 years.
• Bachelor’s degree is usually 4 years long.
• Master’s degree takes around 2 years.
• Doctorate degree can take 4 to 5 years

Steps to select a suitable culinary degree

If you wish to select a suitable culinary degree, you may follow the steps below.

• List down your career goals and find a degree level that will fulfill your goals.
• Read about the coursework and specialization options of your preferred degree level.
• Find out admission requirements and tuition costs of the degree program.
• Finally, select a degree program that is accredited, affordable, and meets your career aspirations.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for culinary schools in Virginia may vary depending on the institute you select. However, there are some key requirements of most culinary schools. Students need to have a high school diploma or a GED to enroll in a culinary degree program. Besides, students need one or more recommendations depending on the program they are applying for. Culinary schools also take assessment tests of candidates to match their education with their capabilities and career needs. Some schools may also require a six month food service experience in a professional kitchen.

How long will it take to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts?

Generally, admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts include an associate degree. However, some culinary schools may only require a high school diploma. For students who already have an associate degree, bachelor’s degree may take 18 months to 2 years. However, for students having a high school diploma, the degree may take four years to complete.

Course Topics

The coursework offered by culinary schools in Virginia may vary depending on the institute you select.  It generally enables students to take business management courses. Students also study topics that let them explore other cultures, and their foods. Besides, culinary students hone their leadership skills by taking courses in human behavior, leadership, and ethics. Some core courses offered in culinary schools are as follows.

• Food and cultures
• Advanced wine studies
• Professional food writing
• Science of nutrition
• Global cuisines and culture
• Introduction to food jobs

A number of Culinary Schools in Virginia offer degrees that could lead to a career in the culinary industry. The degree programs in Culinary Colleges in Virginia include associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. Some of the subjects in these programs include Culinary Management, Catering, Menu Planning, Meal Planning and Baking Arts.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for culinary schools in Virginia may vary depending on the institute you select. However, there are some key requirements of most culinary schools. Students need to have a high school diploma or a GED to enroll in a culinary degree program. Besides, students need one or more recommendations depending on the program they are applying for. Culinary schools also take assessment tests of candidates to match their education with their capabilities and career needs. Some schools may also require a six month food service experience in a professional kitchen.

Employment trends and salary of culinary professionals

After completing your education from a culinary school, you can find a number of career options. Depending on your coursework, specialization, and expertise you can opt for positions such as pastry chef, nutritional consultant, executive chef, private chef, and research chef. Each career has its own requirements and the job descriptions also differ from career to career. However, the basic knowledge gained from culinary education can help professionals in all such careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, culinary professionals such as chefs and head cooks earned an annual median salary of $42,480 in May 2012. The lowest ten percent of culinary professionals had a median salary of less than $24,530, while the top ten percent of the culinary professionals earned more than $74,120. Employment for the culinary professionals is expected to increase at a rate of 5 percent between the years 2012 and 2020.