Choosing the right cooking school depends on your personal needs.
Attending culinary school is an exciting and rewarding time for people who enjoy spending time in the kitchen and creating culinary masterpieces. Finding the right school for you will depend on your location, budget, personal preferences and your professional goals. There are many schools in and around Jacksonville, North Carolina, that offer a wide range of programs and degrees.
The Art Institute
The Art Institute offers a culinary program for students to gain hands-on experience in the kitchen with an emphasis on progressive techniques and trends. They have more than 40 locations across the United States, including one in Jacksonville, North Carolina. If you are a high school senior looking for a degree in the culinary arts, consider entering The Best Teen Chef competition (see Resources). The winner will not only gain international recognition at The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, but will also receive a $200,000 Art Institute tuition scholarship.
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University was founded in 1914 and is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, approximately four hours west of Jacksonville. This school offers courses on global cooking trends as well as nutritional analysis. Class sizes remain small for more personalized attention and the students are offered the opportunity to work at popular local restaurants and Michelin three-star sites located around the world. The school prepares students for the competitive nature of the culinary industry by hosting campus wide cooking competitions in which the winner is awarded a cash prize. Students are also able to partake in international competitions such as the IKA/Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany.
Lenoir Community College
Lenoir Community College offers a culinary arts degree and is located in Kinston, North Carolina, just one hour north of Jacksonville. This school prepares the students to thrive in a wide range of food settings. This includes everything from employment at a full service restaurant to health care facilities. The school encourages the students to be an active member of the community and to participate in events such as Relay For Life and Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride. The culinary program is the sixth program in the state of North Carolina to be honored with accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Foundation.
Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear Community College offers a degree in culinary technology and is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, approximately one hour south of Jacksonville. The program's curriculum is designed to prepare students to be culinary professionals in industries such as hospitality, tourism, health care and entertainment. The courses offer a balance of practical and theoretical applications and include topics such as sanitation and safety, baking, American cuisine, international cuisine, wine appreciation, beverage management, menu design and quality control.
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