Top Five Culinary Schools in North America

In order to become an accomplished chef it is important to attend a top ranking culinary school. While many chefs claim International culinary schools offer the highest level of education, the United States also offers exceptional culinary training.

Taking time to conduct research will help students determine which culinary school offers the curriculum they desire. Accredited schools allow students to apply for student loans and many offer cooking scholarships.

Nearly every metropolitan city offers culinary arts training. A few offer online degrees that can be obtained from the comfort of home. Most online degrees require students to hold an Associate's degree from an accredited school. To begin your culinary education, let's take a look at the top five culinary schools in North America.

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School

Perhaps one of the most renowned culinary schools is Le Cordon Bleu. This cooking school has provided culinary arts training for over 100 years. Some of the most notable alumni include Julia Child, Simone Beck, Mario Batali, Giada De Laurentiis, and Jeff Probst; host of TV reality show, Survivor.

Le Cordon Bleu offers culinary training throughout North America. Campuses are located in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburg, Portland, Sacramento, Scottsdale, Seattle and St. Louis.

Le Cordon Bleu also offers online culinary courses to individuals who have already obtained an Associate's degree from an accredited school. Students can obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Management or Associate of Occupational Studies degree from the comfort of their home.

Individuals interested in attending Le Cordon Bleu culinary school can learn more about programs, campus locations, admissions, tuition and financial aid by visiting www.Chefs.edu.

The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute

The International Culinary School at the Art Institutes has campuses across the nation. Popular destinations include Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Indianapolis, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Portland, Philadelphia, Nashville, Washington DC, Houston and Seattle.

The International Culinary Schools are affiliated with the Food Network; giving them a higher caliber of curriculum. Programs include: Diploma in culinary arts or baking and pastry, Associate degree in culinary arts or wine, spirits and beverage management, Bachelor degree in culinary arts management or food and beverage management.

One unique feature of International Culinary Schools is students receive hands-on experience in campus student-run restaurants. These restaurants are open to the public and offer gourmet menu selections created by students.

Learn more about culinary arts and culinary management programs, tuitions and fees, financial aid, and campus locations at www.ArtInstitutes.edu.

The French Culinary Institute New York City

Voted "Best Vocational Cooking School in 2010" the French Culinary Institute in New York City has become one of the most respected culinary schools in North America. Courses can be completed in as little as six months and include classic culinary arts, classic pastry arts, and the art of international bread baking.

The French Culinary Institute offers Amateur culinary, pastry and bread courses which teach students basic and advanced culinary techniques, essentials of fine cooking, pastry techniques, decorating with chocolate, fondant and royal icing, artisanal bread baking, and whole grains and flat breads. Other courses include culinary technology, wine studies, business development, and food journalism.

The French Culinary Institute is a division of the International Culinary Center which offers a vast array of courses through its Recreational Division. Courses include cooking camp for teens, handmade pasta, barbeque techniques, Jewish holiday baking, chocolate desserts, food and wine pairing, and much more.

Take a virtual tour of the school and explore the exciting world of cuisine by visiting www.FrenchCulinary.com.

New England Culinary Institute

Chefs interested in sustainability cooking should consider attending the New England Culinary Institute. Located in Montpelier, Vermont, this culinary school offers professional degrees in baking, cooking and pastry.

As more hotels and restaurants join environmental movements, chefs trained in sustainability will be in high demand. New England Culinary Institute offers Associate and Bachelor degree programs that focus on sourcing local foods with an environmentally conscious approach.

Students can participate in internship programs to obtain hands-on experience. In addition to learning how to approach the culinary arts from an environmental mindset, students receive sustainability strategies that can be used in other career areas such as agriculture, law, environment and food policy.

New England Culinary Institute offers online Bachelor programs in hospitality and hotel management which can be completed in 24 months. Curriculum details and tuition costs are presented at www.NECI.edu.

Italian Culinary Academy New York City

Do you dream of creating authentic Italian cuisine? Do you fantasize about becoming the next Mario Batali? If so, consider attending the Italian Culinary Academy in New York City. A division of the International Culinary Center, the Italian Culinary Academy teaches the most authentic Italian cooking techniques in the world.

Curriculum includes "Essentials of Italian Cooking" which is an 8-week course that teaches students how to develop authentic stocks and sauces, homemade Italian breads and pastas, traditional fish, beef, chicken and vegetable dishes, and exquisite desserts.

Chefs who want to become fully immersed in Italian cooking should consider enrolling in the "Italian Culinary Experience" which offers course training in New York and Parma, Italy. Students begin their culinary experience with an introduction to Italian cheeses and antipasti, stocks and sauces, pasta, pizza and flatbreads, fish and meats, and Italian desserts while attending classes in New York City.

Afterwards, students travel to Parma, Italy where they are trained by a minimum of sixteen chefs to learn about regional Italian fare, cooking traditional Italian recipes, food and wine pairing, and how to prepare popular Italian pastries such as tiramisu and cannoli.

The Italian Culinary Academy offers chefs a unique experience and provides them with skills unmatched by other culinary schools. Learn how to become an authentic Italian chef by visiting www.ItalianCulinaryAcademy.com.