The Best Cooking Schools and Classes for Home Cooks
Want a carrer in the culinary arts or restaurant management? Or just a few night classes in cooking Chinese? Or a day in Tuscany with a local pro? This list is by no means complete, but it is a start.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites I truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first. Advertising policy. I do not accept ads from products that I review such as grills, charcoal, etc. Click here for more on my advertising policy.
Accredited degree granting institutions
The Art Institutes. A chain of schools across the land offering degrees in culkinary arts, culinary management, and other creative endeavors from photograpy to fashion design and web design.
Culinary Institute of America. The original location in Poughkipsie, NY, just north of NYC in the Hudson Valley is considered one of the finest cooking and management schools in the world. Period. And the location is breathtaking. There is also a location in Napa Valley that is held in equal regard. And the wine is better there.
French Culinary Institute. Can you think of a better place to study food than in Manhattan? Many luminary chefs came through this route. Bobby Flay was in their first graduating class.
Kendall College. An independant culinary arts and baking school in Chicago offering four year baccalaureate degrees. An engaging faculty that has earned it high regard. They also offer degrees in education.
Le Cordon Bleu. The original. the one Julia Child went to, is in Paris, but they have franchised around the world, and in the US there are many across the country offering baking and culinary arts degrees in two years. Some locations are regarded better than others, and they ain't cheap, but they have turned out some great chefs.
Santa Rosa Community College. In addition to the necessary two-year AA degree programs in the arts and sciences, SRCC has culinary arts and probably the best two year program in viticulture, enology, and marketing.
University of California. There are two campuses whose wine programs are considered the best for grape growing and wine making, perhaps in the world: UC Davis and UC Fresno. Which one is better. If I try to answer that I might get shot.
Smaller schools and classes just for fun
Judy Witts Francini is a real market maven, an Italian cooking teacher, a food and wine writer of note, and Italian life coach. She began her culinary life as a pastry chef in a 5-star hotel in San Francisco after a year long trip to Europe. A passion for travel and a love of food brought her to Florence, Italy in 1984, where she fell in love with a city and a man. Her custom culinary programs are a full immersion in "being Italian" and anyone heading to this ancient city with a rich culinary tradition should consider taking a class. In addition, her website has an online dining guide for Florence and Chianti and her blog has the latest on what's going on in the Tuscany.
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GrillGrates are the best new product I have tested in years and the best thing to happen to beef since salt and pepper. The base superheats, eliminates hot spots, smokes, and blocks flareups. This is the concept behind the expensive new infrared grills. Click here for more about GrillGrates.
The Smokenator:
A Necessity For Weber Kettles
If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the amazing Smokenator and Hovergrill. The Smokenator turns your grill into a first class smoker, and the Hovergrill can add capacity or be used to create steakhouse steaks. Click here to read more.
ThermoWorks Pocket Thermometer - No More Guessing
A good thermometer is why I never serve overcooked or undercooked food. No more guesswork. This one has a very thin tip with a tiny thermocouple so it gives an accurate reading in just six seconds. I cannot recommend it more highly. It will improve your cooking overnight. And it is inexpensive. Click here for more about thermometers.
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