If you’re looking to get into culinary school but don’t know where to start, here’s all you need to know. 
 

How to apply to culinary school
 

Culinary school offers students a great pathway into being a professional chef as well as a wide variety of other culinary careers. If you have decided on this career path but are not sure what you have to do to get into culinary school, read on to find out how.

 

When should you apply to culinary school?
 

When to apply to culinary school depends on what stage of life you are at, which culinary program you are considering and what your motivation is for attending.
 

If you are looking to apply for an undergraduate program such as a Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts or French Pastry Arts, you should undertake the application process as soon as possible to ensure you get a place, particularly if you plan to start immediately after graduating from high school.
 

For career switchers or graduates seeking to improve their gastronomic skills, culinary programs such as a diploma or an essentials course are shorter and run throughout the year.

The best thing is to check on the intake date for admissions onto the program you require and apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out. 

 

What are the culinary school requirements?
 

Not all culinary schools are the same and they have different general
education requirements. The qualifications you need will depend on the level of culinary degree program you are intending to study as well.


 

 

Entry requirements for culinary arts bachelors degrees
 

Culinary arts programs are not all about cooking and many include modules on business management, economics and marketing, so you will need to have achieved a certain level of academic education for your application to stand a chance of success.
 

Generally speaking, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent if you are hoping to take a Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, though there are no subject-specific requirements. 
 

Bachelor’s degree programs are also likely to be limited to certain age groups, although it is worth checking with each culinary school to see what these restrictions might be. At a minimum, you will need to be at least 18 years old by the end of the first semester.
 

Entry requirements for short programs and career switchers
 

Culinary schools that offer shorter diploma programs or essentials courses designed for career switchers or enthusiasts who want to hone their skills and gain some kind of classical culinary training also have a variety of entry requirements.
 

While again there are no subject-specific requirements, you will have to demonstrate your passion for culinary arts and be a minimum of 18 years old.
 

For example, the nine-week Culinary Arts Essentials course at Ecole Ducasse stipulates a minimum age and language skills as entry requirements, though no experience or degree is needed. 

 

Is Culinary School a Good Fit for You?


 

Culinary school takes time, effort and financial investment, so it’s not for everyone. But if you have a true passion for culinary arts and want to reach the top, there is no better starting point than a renowned culinary arts school. 
 

It’s the best start you can get for many reasons, including: 

 

• Access to the expertise of highly qualified and experienced chefs who will teach you all the techniques - from classical cooking to the latest trends -  in the correct way
• Internship opportunities in real restaurants - How good the restaurants are will vary depending on how well connected your culinary school is. The best ones could have you gaining hands-on experience in Michelin-starred restaurant
• A state-of-the art-learn environment where you get to practise on the latest equipment and use the best ingredients to tackle complex recipes and new, emerging food trend
• Business management tutoring - if you want to open your own restaurant, you will need to know about marketing, finance, human resources, supplier management and ingredient sourcing as well as how to cook.
• Thought leadership on the latest trends in culinary arts - those who are aiming to excel in the culinary world will need to keep abreast of the latest developments in gastronomy. 

Studying at a good culinary institute is a learning experience that gives you the best possible start to your culinary career.

You can be confident you are gaining the right knowledge and skills and being trained by the best instructors to the highest standards.
 

You will also make food service industry connections and develop personal networks that will enable you to progress more quickly than starting at a restaurant with no experience and working your way up through the ranks. 
 

Personality traits of a culinary arts student
 

So do you have what it takes to become a culinary arts student? Are you the kind of person who would benefit from a culinary arts program? And do you have the right attitude to succeed?
 

At the very least, you will need a passion for food, a hunger for learning about gastronomy and a strong desire to become a culinary professional. But mastering the culinary arts takes more than just passion. You will also need: 

• Commitment - you have to be dedicated and prepared to put in huge amounts of time and effort to really get the most out of the program
• Creativity - the best chefs combine technique, skill and knowledge with creativity, frequently devising new recipes and experimenting with flavors to delight diners’ tastebud
• Attention to detail - working in high-end and Michelin-starred restaurants requires high-level skills and incredible precision, so you’ll have to have patience, accuracy and disciplin
• Work well under pressure - in the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen, there is no hiding place and timing is everything, so you’ll need to be able to handle the heat!
• Stamina - it’s hard work in a kitchen and being a chef is a job that frequently requires you to do long, labor-intensive hours, so you’ll need to be resilient and physically fit.

 

How Much Does Culinary School Cost?
 

The cost of a culinary education will vary according to the culinary school you choose, but it generally reflects the quality of the overall experience.

That usually means the higher the price, the more likely the school will have state-of-the-art equipment, expert faculty and great connections with the culinary industry.

All these advantages will accelerate your career, so it’s best to think of the cost as an investment in your future. 
 

Master the culinary arts at Ecole Ducasse
 

Accelerate your career with a Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from Ecole Ducasse, a school with expert faculty, Michelin-starred philosophy and unrivalled industry connections