Determining the top 10 culinary schools in the United States is, of course, a subjective matter. There is more than one way to decide what the top school is, and everyone might have their own different set of criteria to judge these various schools and programs on. Some people might put more of an emphasis on the prestige of the school, while others might judge the programs on the chefs that have attended them, and others might be more interested in the programs teaching with more innovative techniques or using the best equipment. The following list of the top 10 culinary schools, however, was determined by a vote among chefs and other culinary professionals at the end of 2009.

These are the top 10 culinary schools in the United States of 2009 according to the Chef2Chef community with rank, school name, location, number of votes and score:

1. Texas Culinary Academy, Austin TX, 420 votes, 4.22 score
2. Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park Campus, Hyde Park NY, 446 votes, 3.46 score
3. French Culinary Institute, New York NY, 124 votes, 2.95 score
4. JNA Institute of Culinary Arts, Philadelphia PA, 129 votes, 2.91 score
5. Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Scottsdale AZ, 164 votes, 2.83 score
6. Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids MI, 175 votes, 2.79 score
7. New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier VT, 78 votes, 2.77 score
8. Orlando Culinary Academy, Orlando FL, 21 votes, 2.76 score
9. The Art Institute of Dallas, Dallas TX, 4 votes, 2.75 score
10. Johnson & Wales University, Providence RI, 120 votes, 2.73 score

Now, if this were a list of the top 10 culinary schools in the world, it would be a completely different matter altogether. The Cordon Bleu in France would most likely be at the top of the list, for starters, as well as several other prestigious schools throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. The Culinary Institute of America would definitely still be on the list, but smaller schools like Grand Rapids Community College would not. But if you’re going to attend a culinary school in the U.S., these are the schools more professionals recommend.

If any one of you wants to secure a degree in culinary science other than in US, there are umpteen institutions abroad, mainly in France, Australia and UK. These are internationally reputed schools offering Baking and Pastry Arts, Catering Management, Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Entertainment Management, Foodservice Management, Hospitality Management, Restaurant Management, Sport and Recreation Management, Travel and Tourism Management, Wine and Spirits and Beverages Management.

Many of these institutions provide Associates Degree, Bachelors Degree, Certificate Programs, Continuing Education Programs, Diploma Program, Masters Degree, MBA Degree and Post Graduate Certificate Programs.

Le Cordon Blue International is one of the best schools in the world, if you are serious about starting a career in culinary arts. Le Cordon Blue International has campuses in London and Mexico City offering courses like Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts. Founded in a long tradition of excellence, Le Cordon Bleus reputation has endured by actively keeping their courses up to date and industry relevant by constantly adapting to the current and future needs of culinary, tourism and hospitality services.

Tante Marie, Surrey in England is another reputed culinary school in UK with cookery courses for everyone. They also offer many scholarships and apprenticeships. Since 1954, the Tante Marie has been offering various extensive facilities for a high practical content in all their courses and is accredited by The British Accreditation Council (BAC)for Independent Further and Higher Education.

Edinburgh Cooking School of Food and Wine is a similar culinary school that offers various dynamic culinary programs for students across the globe. This school is located at Newliston in Edinburgh. Accredited by BAC, it offers one-day and evening courses to diploma, certificate and short term courses.

Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute is a well known culinary school in Canada. Other internationally acclaimed institutes in Canada include The Culinary Arts School of Ontario at Mississauga in Ontario, Loyalist College at Belleville in Ontario, George Brown College at Toronto in Ontario, Canadore College at North Bay in Ontario, Vancouver Community College at Vancouver in British Colombia as well as the Constellation College of Hospitality, which is located in Toronto, Ontario.

Le Cordon Blue School in Australia is another reputed culinary school in the world. It is located at Regency Park in South Australia. It offers Culinary, Bachelors and Masters programs in Baking and Pastry Arts, Hospitality and Restaurant Management as well as in Culinary Arts.

India is also a noteworthy destination of learning culinary science. International Institute of Culinary Arts, New Delhi is a famous culinary institute. Other well known institutes in India are College of Hospitality and Tourism situated at Gurgaon in Haryana, Culinary Academy of India at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Italian Institute for Advanced Culinary & Pastry Arts at Satriano in Italy is a well known European culinary school. France too is an ideal place of reputed culinary learning centers. Ecole Internationale de Pâtisserie, Perpignan; Cuisine et Tradition School of Provencale Cuisine in Arles offering Mini & Classic Gourmand and Gastronomicom at Vias are the famous French culinary schools.

The French Culinary Institute offers various part-time/full time culinary courses. FCI is reckoned among the topmost community of culinary schools in our country, and received “The Award of Excellence for Vocational Cooking School” in April 2006, from the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).

Here are five interesting facts about the exciting experience of being at FCI. You can hone your craft and shape your dreams with the intense training program of FCI.

• Top-class international chefs and food experts take both day and night classes which are intense and small with 12 students per batch and makes your training exciting, fast and more intense. These inspiring instructors comment, support and correct you at every step giving you their total attention.
• Their new ‘Total Immersion’ approach, ensures that you learn the maximum in 6 to 9 months, after which you graduate as fully-trained chefs. FCI also provides you with powerful professionals of world’s high raking restaurants who hire fresh and creative talent either internship or even full-time positions.
• Learn from the legends themselves as the curriculum is designed by famous chefs of the world, for instance,  Alain Sailhac, André Soltner, Jacques Pépin, Cesare Casella, Jacques Torres, and Alan Richman.
• Now students can also live in New York with several secure and beautiful low-cost housing options available near The FCI. The housing options include Roosevelt Island apartments and EHS Clark of Brooklyn Heights and various other apartments in New York City. The apartments are available on first come first served basis. Many of these places are just a subway ride away from the FCI.
• The French Culinary Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). Students may obtain information regarding availability of comparable programs, including tuition, fees, and program length from the ACCSCT.

With these 5 interesting facts about the French Culinary Institute, you can certainly count on having an intense and knowledge gaining experience while learning your culinary arts at this institute.

Apron’s Cooking School offers classes tailored for anyone from the accomplished chef to someone just learning how to cook. With several locations in Florida and Georgia, Apron’s Cooking School offers public or private classes taught by respected and accomplished instructors from local and national markets.

Locations

Apron’s Cooking School has four locations throughout Florida and Georgia. Whether you are a resident or are visiting on vacation, you are sure to find an interesting culinary topic. The current locations for Apron’s Cooking School include:

• Publix at Alpharetta Commons – 4305 State Bridge Rd., Alpharetta, Georgia 30055
• Publix at San Jose Blvd – 10500 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32257
• Publix at University Walk – 2875 University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243
• Publix at Shoppes of Citrus Park – 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, Florida 33626

Private Classes

Apron’s Cooking School offers a variety of private cooking courses catered to an individual or event. Their private cooking classes are perfect for anniversaries, bridal showers or corporate events. There are three instruction options for private instruction including Demonstration, Hands-On and Party Style.

• Demonstration – Sit back and relax as a top-rated chef instructs you and your guests on one of a variety of delicacies, including Asian, Italian and Latin cuisine.
• Hands-On – A class for the adventurous. Learn to make pizza, pasta, dessert or an elegant dinner.
• Party Style – Perfect for children’s birthdays, the Party classes offered through Apron’s Cooking School offer a fun and educational environment where your children will learn to make Fondue, Pasta and other fun foods.

Private classes from Apron’s Culinary School range from $35 to $75. The prices vary depending on the food prepared, group size and day of the week. Children’s Party Packages are available for $30 per child. For more information on what they offer, contact Apron’s Cooking School.

Want to learn how to cook international dishes where they originated? How about traveling to a particular country to learn about their cuisine? If your answer is a yes, then international cooking schools are just what you are looking for!

If you love international cuisines and fancy learning how to cook up those wonderfully mouthwatering dishes right where they originated, then traveling to that country to learn that cuisine is just the perfect solution for you! This way, not only do you get to travel to that country, but you also learn the authentic and classic methods of cooking those particular dishes! Isn’t it the best way to learn how to cook a particular dish?

There are several international cooking schools which conduct courses where you learn how to cook international dishes in the most authentic fashion. These institutes conduct courses that may span over a one-day course to a three month course in these international cuisines. There are also weekend course options which you can consider if a full-time course option is not suitable for you. If you are looking for a proper degree course, you can also think about joining these international culinary schools for a Bachelors degree course which typically lasts for 2 years.

All of these courses are very hands-on and teach you everything about cooking – right from the basics. Typically, you begin with learning about how to shop for the ingredients. Then you learn about the different methods and ways of creating the local culinary delicacies right from scratch. This enables you to learn the methods of cooking up different dishes right at the place where they originated and were perfected. So you have a more authentic knowledge of international cuisines.

The courses where you travel abroad to learn the different cuisines also gives you a broader perspective and an international outlook and exposure to the different styles of cooking and cuisines. All of this will, no doubt, add to your portfolio and create an interesting resume for your professional career in the culinary arts.

You can attend cooking schools in London, or cooking schools in Paris to learn about traditional English cuisine or traditional French cuisine respectively. Some international cooking schools also offer cooking courses that take place in countries like Italy and Spain – where you can live in these exotic locales, sample the local delicacies and learn how to make these dishes in a more authentic fashion.

So go ahead and take your culinary talents to another level! Attend an international culinary school – travel abroad to learn how to cook authentic international cuisine.

Making the decision to pursue a career in the field of culinary arts is committing yourself to a lifetime of learning, hard work and fun. With the current popularity of highly-rated television programs, more and more people are taking steps to becoming a member of the field of culinary arts. If you are interested in a culinary career, the French Culinary institute of New York is at the forefront of culinary technologies, offering courses and degree programs that will jump start your career and provide you with the solid foundation you will need to become a leader as a in the culinary field.

French Culinary Institute NY

For more than 25 years, the French Culinary Institute NY has been a leader in culinary instruction, offering state of the art facilities and world renowned instructors, including master chefs such as Jacques Pépin, André Soltner and Marnie Old. To help students become prepared for the fast-paced and exiting career as a culinary professional, the French Culinary Institute NYC offers several courses that will give you valuable insights on proper food preparation techniques and let you use your creativity, which is a key ingredient to all successful chefs.

• Classic Culinary Arts – With the French Culinary Institute’s Classic Culinary Arts program, student will learn every aspect of classic French cuisine. Using their trademarked Total Immersion Approach, the French Culinary Institute of New York will completely immerse the student in classic French culinary techniques that will help students become more than a chef, but a trendsetter in the culinary field. Available as a 6 month day program or 9 month night program, the Classic Culinary Arts program is designed to meet the needs of every student.
• Classic Pastry Arts – With a curriculum taught by world renowned master pastry chef, Jacques Torres, the Classic Pastry Arts program is the perfect choice for those who find fine pastry delicacies more than just enjoyable, but a true passion. Over the 6 or 9 month program, students will learn every aspect of pastry making – from preparation to presentation. Some of the hands on training you will receive will provide you with the needed skill to produce mouth watering delicacies, such as cakes, chocolate candies, croissants, petit fours and much more.
• The Art of International Bread Baking – Over the course of the fast-paced and informative program, students will learn the fine art of bread baking from a master bread baker. Coursework will cover Classic European and Italian breads that will place you at the top of the field.

Located on Broadway in New York City, the French Culinary Institute NY places you in the heart of the fine dining and entertainment experience you can find in the Big Apple. To find out more about the French Culinary Institute of New York click on the link and get started down the road to your culinary dreams.

The field of Culinary Arts is a fast-paced and exciting choice for anyone looking to build a career where technical knowledge and creativity can be combined and work in perfect harmony. Leading the way in the culinary field, the New York Culinary Academy offers several courses that will help students achieve their goals of becoming a member of this respected career path. Located in New York, the proverbial hub of fine culinary cuisine, entertainment and relaxation, the Culinary Academy of New York is actually a combination of two locations, including the Career Academy of New York and the Culinary Academy of Long Island.

New York Culinary Academy

Offering several programs in two locations, the New York Culinary Academy is the key to your success in the field of culinary cuisine. Whether your dream is to become a chef in a five-star New York Restaurant, to open your own restaurant in your home town or the be the manager of a top rated resort, The Culinary Academy will provide you with the tools you need to become a success.

• Professional Cooking – This program will prepare you for a career in restaurants, bakeries or as a caterer. During the Professional Cooking program students will get hands on knowledge through the Culinary Academy’s “learning by doing” program which focuses on the practical side of cooking.
• Commercial Cooking – Similar to the Professional Cooking program, the Commercial Cooking program teaches students practical kitchen skills with their “learning by doing” program and is offered during the evening to help meet the demands of a student’s busy schedule.
• Hotel & Restaurant Management – Learn the hotel and restaurant business while gaining the highly-coveted, real-world experience with the Culinary Academy of New York’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program. Over the programs duration, students will learn every aspect of the hospitality business, including marketing, human resources, security and even housekeeping.
• Professional Pastry and Baking – In the field of culinary arts, there is nothing more rewarding than a career as a pastry chef or baker. The Culinary Academy of Long Island offers a comprehensive course on the fine art of Professional Pastry and Baking that will help students build the solid foundation needed to become masters of their craft. During the program, students will gain the skills to create classic delicacies as well as newer confections for our health-conscious world.

And the Culinary Academy of New York offers continuing education classes that will help both amateur and professional chefs expand the knowledge of the culinary arts and further their career success. If you’re looking to get professional, up-to-date instruction from master chefs in the greatest city in the world, click on the link to the New York Culinary Academy to learn more!

Restaurants from all over the world are always searching for chefs that have a thorough understanding of culinary delicacies and graduates of Le Cordon Bleu International acquire the knowledge and skills to deliver. Instructing students on a variety of international flavors, including French, German, Asian, Mediterranean and more, Le Cordon Bleu International is the premier Culinary Arts institute in the world. Whether your dream is to become a world renowned chef or the head of a fast-paced and popular 5 star restaurant, Le Cordon Bleu International offers a Culinary Arts program that will meet every students needs.

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Programs

Founded in Paris in 1895, Le Cordon Bleu school of Culinary Arts has enjoyed a rich history that has lasted more than 100 years. It is through this history that Le Cordon Bleu International has sculpted a Culinary Arts program that focuses on teaching students to be not merely chefs specializing in exotic cuisine but leaders in the field of culinary arts. To help students achieve their goals,

• Culinary Arts – Le Cordon Bleu International offers students diploma and certificate programs in Culinary Arts. Focusing on exotic cuisine, students develop a thorough knowledge of the skills required for proper preparation and presentation of different dishes. Students entering Le Cordon Bleu Internationals Culinary Arts program can expect to take advanced coursework which will place them well ahead of their peers.
• Culinary Management – Le Cordon Bleu International offers a Hospitality Management program that will teach you the ins and outs of the restaurant business. The Hospitality Management program covers all aspects of the restaurant business, including restaurant inventory, marketing and employee relations that will help you succeed as a restaurant manager or small business owner.

Through the programs offered from Le Cordon Bleu International students will leave with the knowledge to succeed in the fast-paced culinary business, whether their dream is to become a chef, food critic, manager or restaurant consultant.

Le Cordon Bleu International Locations

Located all over the world, Le Cordon Bleu International gives students the opportunity to learn the fine art of culinary cuisine while they study abroad. With more than 29 schools spanning 15 continents, Le Cordon Bleu students can study exotic cuisine in:

• Paris
• London
• Seoul
• Tokyo
• Sydney
• Mexico City

And much more!

Built upon more than 110 years as the leader in culinary education, Le Cordon Bleu International continues to produce some of the most knowledgeable and skilled chefs in the word. And with a Diploma program that allows students to build a solid culinary foundation upon which they can apply real world experience and graduate in less than nine months, Le Cordon Bleu International is the fast track to becoming a culinary professional.

If you have been considering a career change or are preparing to choose your college major, the culinary arts may be the ideal choice. A career in the restaurant business will allow you to combine your business savvy with your creativity – providing for a fun and exiting work environment. And when people think of culinary schools, Le Cordon Bleu is the first one that comes to mind. Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America mixes American technology with classic French culinary techniques and has an proven reputation for being at the forefront of the constantly changing culinary, tourism and hospitality industries.

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Programs

Le Cordon Bleu has culinary programs that fit varied interests and needs. The programs will develop the knowledge students need to be in the top of their field. The Master Chefs have trained in the world’s finest restaurants and catering establishments and are more than happy to share their knowledge and experiences with Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America students. Classes range from basic cooking skills that are required of a chef and the knowledge and skill to create original new recipes and techniques of their own.

• Culinary Arts Program - Courses in the culinary arts program include basic cookery, culinary arts concepts, nutrition, hospitality, food and beverage cost control. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their own style under the direction of executive Chefs. Students in the culinary arts program will complete an externship that provides them with real world experiences they need for a career in culinary arts.
• Patisserie and Baking Program - Courses in the Patisserie and Baking program include basic patisserie and baking, cake formulas and assembly techniques, and advanced patisserie and baking techniques. Students will experiment with a wide range of techniques ranging from traditional to the newest innovations in the culinary field.
• Hospitality and Restaurant Management – Courses in the Hospitality and Restaurant Management program include hospitality marketing, professional communication, Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine, and hospitality and restaurant operations. Students will view practical, hands on education from the management perspective.

Le Cordon Bleu North America Locations

With a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, you can rest assured that your education will be recognized and sought after worldwide. With campuses all over North America, you have the option of traveling across the nation or learning in your own backyard.

• Chicago
• Dallas
• Minneapolis
• Las Vegas
• San Francisco
• And many more

If you are interested in a culinary career, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America is the school for you. With schools located all over North America, you can find a location that is right for you. Follow the link to get more information on Le Cordon Bleu North America.

With popular television shows and a growing interest in fine cuisine the field of culinary arts has seen an amazing growth in popularity over the past few years. Whether your interest lies more in the pastry and baking arts or in exotic cuisine, getting the right schooling is your first step in becoming a culinary professional. The Art Institutes have a long history of producing some of the most talented people in the world and their culinary programs are no different, with some of the world’s most well renowned chefs on their list of Alumni.

Art Institutes Culinary Programs

The Art Institutes offer two distinct culinary programs that are designed to help aspiring culinary professionals meet their goals. Each program is geared towards the specialties of Culinary Arts and Culinary Management which will guide student along their chosen career path.

• Culinary Arts – The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes offer much more to students than traditional cooking schools. Along with instruction on cooking, menu creation and food presentation, The Art Institute’s world class instructors offer students the real world experience that is necessary to succeed in the fast-paced and competitive culinary field.
• Culinary Management – Many students have a love for food but are more interested in the business side of the culinary industry. For this reason The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes offers a comprehensive program in Culinary Management. During your course of study you will cover such aspects of the business as inventory control, budgeting, marketing and employee relations.

The Art Institutes Locations

If you are interested in a degree in the Culinary Arts, The Art Institutes culinary programs will provide you with a solid foundation on which you can build your culinary career. And you can achieve your dream in one of more than 30 locations throughout the United States. This allows you to study the field of Culinary Arts as close to or far from home as you please. Some of The Art Institutes locations include:

• Chicago
• Atlanta
• Los Angeles
• Seattle
• Washington, DC
• Las Vegas

And The Art Institutes even offer an online program that is designed to meet the needs of students whose current schedule would not allow time for a traditional university setting.

With state of the art facilities and world-class instructors, The Art Institute is your ticket into the field of Culinary Arts. And after graduation, The Art Institutes will continue to aid you on your path to success. With a network of schools throughout the country, you will have access to a career services program that will put you in touch with employers throughout the country, offering you the final step in achieving your dream of culinary success.