Most of us would agree that dabbling with flavors is definitely an art. And so, it’s best to learn only from the best institutions around the world. Don’t know what countries to consider? We have a few names in mind. Sarosh Daruwalla, Director, Switzer Hospitality guides you through this.
If you have a knack for cooking and love to play with flavours, we’re quite sure that at some point, you may have considered making it a career choice. However, for most people with a dream to make it big in the culinary discipline, pursuing it in just about any degree college can sound a bit unfruitful. After all, it is an art, and you’d want to learn from only the best gurus. And, considering that there are a number of elite culinary schools around the globe that aspiring culinarians flock to every year, it can be bit overwhelming trying to choose the best fit for you. You need to keep in mind the right course for you, the quality of education provided by the institution, the connections you’ll build and the work experience you will gain through your course.
Why studying abroad is better?
The more hands-on experience you have with different cuisines, the better. While Indian culinary schools are still up-and-coming today, several European countries have already established themselves as pioneers and masters in the culinary world. They not only offer a chock full of knowledge about the local cuisines, but also a vast insight into the food served around the globe.
Apart from the wealth of knowledge, students can also expect the right infrastructure and facilities to test their learning capabilities. At the end of their respective courses, most culinary schools offer placements, which make it easier for you to gain experience and entry-level jobs to several hospitality and culinary posts. A lot of these schools also encourage students to take up internships during the duration of your course for you to acquire practical knowledge and training. This ensures that you to understand your course better.
With so many reasons, you don’t need any more excuses to study the culinary arts abroad.
And if you’re confused about what countries to pick, we suggest Australia, France and Switzerland.
1) The prospects of studying culinary arts
Having a formal education prepares you well for the field you are looking to work in and same applies to culinary arts. If you want to work in the kitchen as a chef you need to have basic to advanced level of knife skills, cooking skills and management skills. “Running a kitchen or restaurant successfully is not just about generating a good quality product, consistently, in a safe and hygienic environment. What really matters is, your ability to run it like an enterprise, how you plan your supplies, how you manage your people and your finances, so that at the end of the day, your generate a profit. If your customers are happy but you do not generate profits, you cannot sustain a business. A culinary arts degree goes beyond culinary arts skills and equips you to manage the business side of things” says Sarosh Daruwalla, Director, Switzer Hospitality.
A formal education gives you more options to choose from; you can work as a chef and also explore alternate career outcomes. A food critic, a food blogger, a sommelier, food photography, food R&D, running your own restaurant are just some of the options.
2) The culinary degrees and courses that give students good exposure and work experience?
Culinary arts courses are by their very nature, hands-on programs. Practical classes are an integral part of the curriculum and theory classes enhance and/or cement a student’s understanding. Students can choose from a short duration associate degree programs in Culinary Arts or Baking & Pastry or a longer Bachelor Degree Programs in Culinary Arts. Bachelor Degree Programs, depending upon the country and institute you choose, vary between 3.5-4 years.
Most degree programs offer one or two practical internships opportunities. Students also benefit from initiatives like guest lectures, gastronomy tours (visit another city / country), cultural visits and dine-outs.
Factors to consider when you are choosing a culinary arts school / program:
- Accreditation
- Avg. Class Size
- Student-Faculty Ratio
- Number of Kitchens
- Is the school using industry standard equipment in their kitchens?
- How many students are assigned at each workstation? (preferably one)
- Qualification and industry experience of faculty members
- Does the school simulate a real world service environment?
3) What are the things students should bear in mind for studying culinary arts?
As Mr. Daruwalla says “Students who want to study culinary arts, who want to make a career in the food services industry, need to have three basic qualities.
The first and foremost quality is Passion. You have to be passionate about Food, about all things Culinary. Without passion, you cannot make it in this industry.
The second quality is Discipline. You cannot achieve anything unless you practice, practice, practice, practice. It is very important to focus and channelize your energy and your passion. The third quality is Intensity. Kitchens are intense environments and you need to be geared to handle that.
If you have these three qualities, if you can imbibe these qualities, you can build a successful career in the food services industry”
