Getting ahead is about more than just who you know. It is also about keeping up with the latest knowledge, skills, and certifications in the industry. Continuing education is important in every field, but especially so in the ever-changing food services industry. Below is a list with descriptions of some of the top programs in America for keeping you on the cutting edge. All information has been taken from the school, college, or university Web sites unless otherwise noted. Le Cordon Bleu Cooking schools are mentioned throughout this chapter. They are Parisian-style cooking schools that provide varying degree programs. They now offer international-based cooking techniques rather than just French techniques. Le Cordon Bleu is widely accepted in the nation and overseas as a leading culinary arts school.
Also keep in mind that the trade associations mentioned in this chapter also offer continuing education courses, seminars, and certification training. You will find that information in our listing of industry trade associations. Another source of educational information is The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, which publishes its Guide to College Programs in Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts. The guide profiles hundreds of college programs across the country.
Here is a listing of some of the leading culinary and hospitality management programs in united states
Ashworth College – Ashworth’s online education plan offers a program in hospitality management through its school of business. The program includes lessons in all aspects of efficiently running a hotel or restaurant, including time management. It primarily focuses on day-to-day, practical job skills including managing the front and back office, coordinating guest and banquet services, banquet reservations and seating, housekeeping, marketing work flow, staffing, tourist services, scheduling, customer service and more. 430 Technology Parkway, Norcross, Georgia, 30092, (800) 957-5412, (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu 3).
California Culinary Academy – If you are located in San Francisco and are interested in learning culinary arts, the academy teaches students the Le Cordon Bleu program. Students earn associate’s degrees in the culinary arts and baking, and certificates in the culinary arts. 350 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, California,94103, (888) 897-3222, (http://www.baychef.com)
Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago – A Le Cordon Bleu school, the institute offers associate’s degrees in the culinary arts and baking, and certificates in the culinary arts. It was founded in 1983 and invited to be a Cordon Bleu school in 2000. The CHIC offers quality culinary, pastry arts, and hospitality, and general education curriculum s of higher education for its students. 361 West Chestnut Chicago, Illinois, 60610, (888) 295-7222, (http://www.chic.edu)
Cornell University – Known worldwide as one of the best schools for hospitality management, Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration offers degree programs at nearly every possible level, including doctoral degrees. Cornell also conducts industry research through its Center for Hospitality Research. 537 Statler Hall, Ithaca, New York, 14853-6902, (607) 255-9780, (Center for Hospitality Research | Cornell Nolan 1)
The Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park, New York, is the main location of the CIA, where students can earn bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in culinary arts. Graduates can pursue careers as chefs, restaurant owners, managers, food writers, or in culinary research and development. There are also branches in California and Texas. The school offers a comprehensive program that includes an externship and 1,300 hours of hands on training. 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, New York, 12538-1499, (845) 452-9430,(http://www.ciachef.edu)
DeVry University – Students who are interested in managing hotels or restaurants, rather than in culinary degrees, can obtain a bachelor of science degree with a concentration in hospitality management at one of DeVry’s ninety locations, or take courses online. DeVry focuses on making education easy for working adults. One Tower Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, 60181, (866) 338-7934, (http://www.devry.edu)
Florida State University – FSU’s Dedman School of Hospitality has been around for more than sixty years, providing the hospitality industry with educated leaders. Students focus on one of the following programs: lodging management, conventions and events management, food and beverage management, and club management. Its state-of-the-art facility provides hospitality students with teaching kitchens, a satellite technology center, a publication resource center, and a placement center. The building also contains an affiliated 35,000 square-foot, professionally managed city club that provides hospitality students with real-world food and beverage experience. UCB 4100, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, (850) 644-4787, (http://cob.fsu.edu/dsh)
The Institute of Culinary Education – This New York City-based school has six-to eleven-month career training programs in culinary arts, pastry and baking arts, and culinary management. For several years the school has been a finalist or award winner of the International Association of Culinary Professionals’ Awards of Excellence for Culinary Schools. 50 W. 23rd Street, New York, New York, 10010, (888) 354-2433, (http://www.iceculinary.com)
The International Culinary Center – Students in New York City can learn culinary arts or restaurant management skills in as little as nine months (non-degree programs) at the French Culinary Institute or the Italian Culinary Academy. The school’s in-house restaurant offers students real-world kitchen and restaurant experience. 462 Broadway, New York, New York, (888) 324-2433, (http://www.internationalculinarycenter.com
The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes – The Art Institute offers 40 locations nationwide. Degree and non degree programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry, hospitality
management, and food and beverage management are available. Those looking to specialize in baking and pastry can receive an associate’s degree or certificate. Students are introduced to a variety of international recipes and culinary techniques. Culinary learning takes place outside of the classroom through real-world internships, student-run restaurants, enlightening guest lectures, and opportunities to study abroad. (888) 624-0300, (http://www.artinstitutes.edu)
Johnson and Wales University – Johnson and Wales University’s two food service industry-related colleges, its Culinary Arts College and Hospitality College, work together to offer students certificate programs and undergraduate and graduate degrees. Whether you want to sharpen your culinary, business, marketing, or management skills, Johnson and Wales has developed course work and programs to meet the myriad needs of a very diverse industry. Johnson and Wales offers a unique approach to education in this field, combining hands-on culinary training with a foundation in the liberal arts, business classes, social responsibility and relevant work experience. This pioneering model of education prepares students for success in today’s globaleconomy.8 Abbott Park Place, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, (800) 342-5592, (http://www.jwu.edu)
Kendall College – Certificates, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees in baking and pastry arts, culinary arts, culinary management, hospitality management, hotel management, professional catering, professional cookery, and restaurant management are offered at this Chicago-based college. Its low student to teacher ratio and hands-on learning experiences provide students with a balance of practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to excel. 900 North Branch Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60642, (888) 90.KENDALL,(http://www.kendall.edu)
The Kitchen Academy – There are two Kitchen Academy Locations. Culinary students in Seattle or Sacramento will receive a fresh approach to professional cooking. Designed by chefs, this new culinary arts school curriculum offers an immersive concept in culinary training delivering hands-on cooking experience. It is geared to help prepare students for a real-world culinary career. Students earn a professional culinary arts diploma. (888) 807- 7222, (http://www.kitchenacademy.com)
Le Cordon Bleu – Internationally known and recognized for its culinary arts programs, the school offers 14 locations around the country. It also offers programs in baking and hospitality and restaurant management. (http://culinary-school.org)
New England Culinary Institute – With campuses in Montpelier and Essex Junction, Vermont, the institute offers undergraduate degrees in culinary arts and hospitality and restaurant management, as well as associate’s and certificate programs. Eighty-four faculty members teach students in thirteen production kitchens. The program offers students intense personal attention from world class chef instructors and other industry professionals. The school’s restaurants are the classrooms and students are expected to perform under real life working conditions from the very first day of class. 56 College Street, Montpelier, Vermont, 05602, (877)
223-NECI, (http://www.neci.edu)
Penn Foster Career School – Penn Foster Career School is designed for adults who want the ability to earn a degree at their own pace and convenience. Course work is shipped to students’ homes, and completed independently. Students can earn an associate’s degree in hospitality management through the school and also take advantage of its career services program. 925 Oak Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18515, (800) 275-4410, (http://www.pennfoster.edu)
Scottsdale Culinary Institute – In Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottsdale Culinary Institute offers Le Cordon Bleu programs in culinary arts, hospitality and restaurant management, baking, and culinary management. Students receive diversifi ed culinary training.8100 East Camelback Road, Suite 1001, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251, (847) 585-2731,(http://www.chefs.edu/scottsdale)
Stratford University – Stratford offers a broad course offering for industry professionals. Earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, or associate’s degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and hotel and restaurant management at this university in Falls Church, Virginia. The school also offers a professional diploma in advanced culinary arts. 7777 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia, 22043, (800) 444-0804, (http://www.stratford.edu)
Sullivan University – With four campuses in Kentucky, Sullivan offers day, evening, weekend, and online courses for students to earn a degree. Degree programs offered at Sullivan include a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management and an associate’s of science degree in hotel and restaurant management. Sullivan’s advantages are small class sizes and career-focused class work. 3101 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky, 40205, (800) 844-1354, (http://www.sullivan.edu 1)
Texas Culinary Academy – The Texas Culinary Academy offers its students Le Cordon Bleu certificates and associate’s degree programs in culinary arts and baking. The school is located in Austin, Texas, and offers a unique combination of classical French cooking techniques with innovative American technology at current industry standards. 11400 Burnet Road, Suite 2100, Austin, Texas, 78758, (http://www.tca.edu)