Would you consider yourself to be a true food enthusiast? Someone who loves experimenting with flavors and creating delicious meals? Then chances are you are destined for a creative career in culinary arts. Whether you dream of becoming a professional chef, starting your own restaurant, or just want to elevate your own home cooking. Learning the essential elements of culinary design offers endless opportunities to explore and expand your culinary talents. From mastering classic cooking techniques to experimenting with fusion cuisine from around the world. So, what is culinary arts? Discover the exciting and dynamic world of cookery arts today!
Explore our culinary programs!
Culinary arts definition
When people ask ‘what is culinary arts?’, they often expect to hear it’s just cooking. However, the truth is, an authentic culinary arts definition is far more exhilarating than just simply cooking food…
Sure, you will create mouth-watering dishes along the way… but culinary arts are more than just that. It’s an exciting blend that combines food art and the sciences behind the tastes that inspire chefs to prepare, cook, and present gourmet masterpieces.
The food craftsmanship skill sets
What’s culinary arts, and why do Michelin-starred chefs always encourage future chefs to study? Well, learning the essential skills of culinary arts promotes a solid understanding of a wide range of skills, including:
- Ingredients selection
- Mise en place
- Nutrition
- Knife sharpening and knife skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Time management
- Cooking and presentation
The catering attributes of culinary arts
The benefits of culinary techniques include more than just learning these impressive skills. Whether your primary desire is to create healthy, delicious meals for your family at home, become a food influencer on social media, or a world-famous Michelin-starred chef. Learning about what is culinary arts and the practical elements involved also includes perfecting:
- Food and equipment preparation
- Different cooking styles, techniques, and practices
- Creative and decorative food staging
- Food delivery and expected levels of professional service
What is culinary arts and is it different from pastry and baking arts
While these two areas of the culinary industry may often overlap, there is a difference between the two.
In short, culinary arts focuses on a general overview of the culinary industry. This includes preparing and presenting savory dishes such as appetizers, entrees, and side dishes. It may also include baking and making various desserts.
In contrast, pastry and baking arts (or baking and pastry arts), on the other hand, is a specialized area of the culinary field. It focuses more on ingredients, preparation, shaping, and decorating of various baked goods and desserts. These desserts could include restaurant-quality pies, cakes, and cookies. This specialized area of the culinary field may also include sugar art and chocolate art.
What are some common styles of cooking or methods of preparing dishes in the culinary arts? Well, these methods may include:
- Sautéing
- Grilling
- Roasting
- Braising
Alternatively, the skills often associated with baking and pastry arts tend to focus on the production of:
- Cakes
- Pastries
- Bread
- Confectionery
Does culinary arts extend beyond just food preparation?
Ultimately, yes. When it comes to defining what is culinary arts, it refers to the skill set of all three disciplines of preparing, cooking, and presenting food. These culinary skills involve learning and practicing how to develop ingredients into dishes, understanding their flavor properties, and combining these through innovative recipes. Practicing culinary skills also encourages creativity, experimentation, and invention to produce stunningly nutritious and eye-catching meals, not to mention delicious!
So, now that we have explored the definition of what is culinary arts, let’s check out the career opportunities you might choose to pursue…
A career in culinary arts
If there’s one thing that the growing number of celebrity chefs, cooking shows, and dedicated food channels have taught us… it’s that food preparation and design can be a lot of fun. As a result, people are increasingly discovering the joy of cooking at home. And for people like you, it establishes a genuine opportunity to generate a new livelihood that embraces your passion for working with food.
What job opportunities are available?
Learning and mastering a variety of culinary skills and techniques is a fantastic gateway to a range of exciting career opportunities, which can include working as a:
- Line cook
- Sous chef
- Food stylist
- Pastry chef
- Food writer and photographer
- Kitchen manager
- Restaurant owner
- Catering professional
Each occupation can provide an opportunity to utilize your knowledge of ingredients and creative skills to help pioneer your inspiring new food-oriented profession.
Additionally, working in an environment that embraces culinary excellence can provide the perfect venue for you to work alongside like-minded culinary professionals. These settings are ideal for sharing and developing new recipes while learning about exotic ingredients and different international cooking techniques.
Where you can work with a culinary arts diploma
Obtaining skills and knowledge in culinary arts can also expand your choice of workplace environments. After all, the culinary profession is a truly global industry, and as an aspiring chef, you could have a vast selection of opportunities available, which includes working in:
- Local and international restaurants
- Sports stadiums and country clubs
- Hotels, resorts, casinos, and cruise ships
- High-end events and catering agencies
- Educational facilities, including university, colleges, and school kitchens
- Self-employment
These are only a few of the potential culinary sectors where you can soon be applying your newly learned skills and creative expertise.
What is the culinary arts career outlook?
As if the sheer variety of jobs and the multitude of kitchen environments where you can apply your culinary skills weren’t enough… there’s more good news…
That’s because the career outlook for those working in this skilled sector is equally impressive. So much so that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is projecting that employment of cooks is projected to grow 16% from 2021-2031, which is much faster than average.1
Is the culinary arts profession right for you?
As an aspiring chef, you may be curious, what is culinary arts likely to involve from a vocational aspect? While working in this field can be highly rewarding, it can also provide excellent opportunities to showcase your creative flair. However, it is important to be aware that the cooking and catering profession can be demanding and competitive.
Likewise, roles that involve working around tight deadlines can mean you can be working in high-pressure situations. While the culinary arts industry is undoubtedly open to everybody, it does require a combination of creativity, technical skills, and attention to detail. But, if you enjoy cooking and get excited about experimenting with food, flavors, and ingredients… then a career in the culinary arts may be an excellent fit for you.
Getting started in a culinary arts career
With such a vast assortment of cooking professions available, training in culinary arts can help you identify and then concentrate on a career path. But what is a culinary arts program likely to add to your career aspirations? It depends…
Understanding the fundamental elements of culinary arts can accelerate your career forward. It may also help you specialize or find a niche sector to set you apart from other candidates. For example, you could pursue expertise in international or vegan cuisine. Whichever direction you select, studying to gain a diploma in culinary arts is an excellent pathway to begin your journey into the field.
Why you should study culinary arts
What is culinary arts education? Consider it as the cornerstone of knowledge that can facilitate your career growth and success. With the demand for skilled cooks increasing, a culinary arts program can help fast-track your pursuit toward a rewarding career as a qualified professional.
When enrolling in an accredited culinary arts program, you can learn about nutrition, correct food preparation techniques, culinary management, and kitchen sanitation. In the end, a culinary arts program can equip you with the skills needed to thrive.
Learn directly from the experts
One of the significant advantages of studying culinary arts is the opportunity to learn from and network with professional chefs and industry experts.
Specialized culinary schools like Dorsey College have teams of in-house instructors and experienced chefs who guide you through the required curriculum. They share their experience and provide fantastic insight into what it takes to become a successful culinarian.
Externships, helping you practice your new skills…
Learning culinary arts is one thing… having a platform to apply and then practice these learned skills is another. Therefore, selecting a certified culinary school that allows you to gain real-world experience in a professional kitchen is essential.
For example, here at Dorsey College, our culinary arts externship can give you that competitive edge before joining the food industry with a culinary arts qualification of coveted experience.
Where studying culinary science might take you…
A culinary arts diploma is designed to open a world of new culinary arts opportunities for you. Following graduation, you can choose to explore career paths such as working in restaurants, becoming a caterer, or even working for yourself.
Why you should get started today!
Discovering new skills and honing your passion for culinary arts can allow you to pursue your passion for cooking as a career. However, for many, it’s essential to have a solid culinary education, practical experience, and a strong work ethic.
Whatever your motivation for pursuing a career in culinary arts, signing up for a culinary arts diploma program can equip you with a comprehensive skill set that you can carry with you for a lifetime.
Start your culinary training in Michigan at Dorsey College
Our Culinary Arts programs at Dorsey College have been created to utilize your natural creativity and desire to work with food. A program that can empower you to channel your culinary flair and turn your passion into a fulfilling career.
Here at Dorsey College, our Culinary Arts program is accredited by both the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF). We also understand the importance of completing your training around your current work and life commitments. As a result, we offer morning, afternoon, and evening class options.
Culinary training includes classroom learning and supervised hands-on experience in our industry-current kitchen facilities at our Roseville, Michigan campus (a branch campus of Madison Heights). Additionally, to maximize your skillset potential, Dorsey College offers a superb practical externship providing real-world experience in a professional kitchen.
At Dorsey College, a culinary arts diploma can help you pursue your passion!
Please note: The Culinary field places value on experience, and generally speaking, it would be rare for any recent graduate of a culinary program to obtain a position as an Chef straight out of school. Our goal, however, is to provide our students with a solid foundation that will prepare them not only for entry-level opportunities but also assist them as they continue to grow, learn, and advance as a culinarian.
Sources:
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Cooks,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/cooks.htm (visited April 12, 2023).
