Which are the top culinary schools?

I've always been passionate about cooking and want to make it a career. Can anyone recommend some of the top culinary schools? I'm looking for programs with excellent faculty and opportunities for hands-on learning.

Sure! There are several highly regarded culinary institutions known for their excellent faculty and opportunities for hands-on learning. Here are a few you might want to consider:

1. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA): The CIA is one of the most well-known culinary schools in the United States, with campuses in New York, California, and Texas. They offer degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, food business management, hospitality management, and more. The programs heavily emphasize applied food studies and culinary science, giving you lots of hands-on experience.

2. Institute of Culinary Education (ICE): Located in New York City and Los Angeles, ICE provides diversified courses and allows students to earn diplomas in areas such as Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking, Culinary Management, and Hospitality Management.

3. Johnson and Wales University: They offer a comprehensive College of Food Innovation & Technology with a variety of offerings from culinary arts to food entrepreneurship to dietetics and nutrition. The university has campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina.

4. The International Culinary Center (ICC): While the ICC announced that it would cease operations in its New York campus, its programs live on through ICE, its parent institution. Here you might study traditional French culinary techniques, Italian culture and cuisine, or even professional bread baking.

5. School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College: Based in Chicago, the culinary program here is known for its strong focus on international cuisine and hands-on learning. They offer a unique B.A. program in Culinary Arts, which combines kitchen skills with a liberal arts education.

Remember, the best school for you will depend on your individual needs and career goals, so I encourage you to research each institution and consider factors like cost, location, course offerings, and alumni success. Factors like internship opportunities and job placement rates might also be interesting to consider.