A culinary degree is a great way to learn how to cook, bake, and manage all aspects of the food service industry. There are many different programs available for those who want to become chefs or restaurant managers, including some top notch schools in New York City. However, there are also many factors to consider when choosing a school. Some have student-run restaurants on campus, while others offer a unique blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience.
Some of the best culinary schools have connections to restaurants that have received Michelin stars, James Beard awards, or a place on the World’s Best Restaurant list. This gives students the opportunity to work with these world-class chefs while in school, giving them a leg up when they graduate and start looking for jobs. Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska offers a hospitality management program that includes a six week farm to table immersion. This allows students to see firsthand how ingredients are grown and harvested, making it an ideal choice for those interested in a career in agriculture or the culinary arts.
Another of the best culinary schools is The Culinary Institute of America. This award winning culinary school has a student-run restaurant on campus, giving students real world experience. It’s also located in a great area of the city, allowing students to take advantage of the many excellent restaurants in New York. Students at CIA are reputed to earn 20% more than other culinary grads.
One of the most popular and influential food blogs is Food & Wine. It helped kick off the modern foodie movement, and is still a reliable source for information about worldwide regional cuisines, star chefs, and trustworthy recipes. Its editors are especially skilled at finding cuisines that are not yet widely known or well understood, as well as separating culinary trends from the passing fads.
The most famous culinary awards are the Michelin stars and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. These are awarded by an impartial jury composed of food writers, chefs, and well-traveled gourmands. The jury members are not required to disclose any financial interest or business ties, but they must dine at the restaurants they vote for at least once every 18 months. The results are published each year.
A notable feature of the World’s 50 Best is that it tries to include venues that represent all regions of the world, as opposed to the more exclusive, luxury restaurants found in major cities. This is a welcome change, as it gives diners the chance to discover more of the culinary landscape, rather than just focusing on a small selection of the most expensive and well-known eateries. Despite this, the top 10 restaurants on the list tend to be high-end tasting menu spots, with a strong sense of place that often incorporates indigenous or foraged ingredients.