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How do I Choose the Best Natural Cooking School?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Whether your aim is to become a culinary expert in various types of natural cooking or to build a career as a chef who specializes in cooking of this type, your selection of a natural cooking school will play a huge part in reaching your goal. Before you make a commitment to any culinary cooking school, take the time to investigate the school and the program thoroughly. Here are some tips on how to find the school that is right for you.

Before you begin to evaluate any natural cooking school, it is important to know what you want to get out of the experience. Do you want to learn more about a specific type of culinary art, such as vegan cooking? If so, you will want to focus on schools that offer courses related to the preparation of vegan dishes using fresh foods. Perhaps you want to attend a cooking school with an eye toward building a career as a chef or owner of your own local bistro. Since the focus will vary with different schools, it is important to make sure the curriculum will give you what is needed to meet your goals.

Culinary schools that employ high profile chefs as instructors often have strong alumni networks.
Culinary schools that employ high profile chefs as instructors often have strong alumni networks.

Unless you are in a position to attend a natural cooking school full time, chances are you will want to focus on schools that offer the courses you need in the evenings or on weekends. This is especially helpful if you must work full-time while following your dream of becoming a chef. Look for a culinary cooking school that offers evening classes as well as concentrated weekend classes on Saturdays and Sundays. If the goal is to earn your certification quickly, you may find that weekend cooking school options are particularly attractive.

Some cooking schools might focus on learning the bistro business.
Some cooking schools might focus on learning the bistro business.

As with any type of educational pursuit, you want to make sure the credentials you earn at the natural cooking school of your choice are recognized and highly regarded in the culinary field. Only consider a professional cooking school if you can verify that the school meets the standards set by nationally renowned culinary associations. If in doubt, you can normally check with the state or regional office connected with the national association and learn whether or not the program of a given school is recognized.

The best natural cooking school will focus on the type of cooking someone wants to do.
The best natural cooking school will focus on the type of cooking someone wants to do.

Even if you are want to attend a natural cooking school as a way to expand your culinary horizons around the home, always make sure the curriculum and the quality of instruction is high. If you have children who are exhibiting an interest in cooking, you may also want to look for institutions that operate a kids cooking school along with programs for the adults. This will allow you and your children to learn at the same time, and may give your son or daughter some ideas about the type of career he or she would enjoy some day.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

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    • Culinary schools that employ high profile chefs as instructors often have strong alumni networks.
      By: Kadmy
      Culinary schools that employ high profile chefs as instructors often have strong alumni networks.
    • Some cooking schools might focus on learning the bistro business.
      By: Adam Wasilewski
      Some cooking schools might focus on learning the bistro business.
    • The best natural cooking school will focus on the type of cooking someone wants to do.
      By: Christophe Fouquin
      The best natural cooking school will focus on the type of cooking someone wants to do.