I'm super passionate about cooking and thinking about going to a culinary school after I graduate. Does anyone have recommendations on the best culinary schools in America right now? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
If you're interested in culinary arts, you've got some great options spread across the country! Here are some top-ranked culinary schools as of 2025:
1. Culinary Institute of America (CIA): This is widely regarded as one of the top culinary schools in the world. The CIA offers several degree programs, including Bachelor's degrees in Culinary Science, Culinary Arts, and Baking and Pastry Arts. The main campus is in New York, with additional campuses in California and Texas.
2. Kendall College: Located in Chicago, Kendall College has a highly respected Culinary Arts Associate program and a Bachelor’s program in Culinary Arts, which includes a concentration in food business management for those interested in the business side of food preparation and service.
3. Johnson & Wales University: Johnson & Wales has a comprehensive College of Food Innovation & Technology, offering a wide array of culinary, baking and pastry, food science, and dietetics and nutrition degree programs. They also offer a unique, four-year bachelor's degree in Culinary Nutrition that combines both culinary skills and nutrition science.
4. International Culinary Center (ICC): The ICC is located in California and New York, offering intensive professional culinary, pastry, and sommelier programs. Their focus is on providing students with real-world experience and they have an impressive roster of famous alumni like Bobby Flay and David Chang.
5. Le Cordon Bleu North America: With their esteemed reputation and long history, Le Cordon Bleu offers students a chance to learn classical culinary techniques. Although many of their campuses globally have closed, they still have a few locations in the United States.
Do keep in mind that culinary school is a big investment, so be sure to compare the curricula, costs, and outcomes of these programs carefully before making a decision! It can be also worthwhile to look into scholarship opportunities or work/study programs as you plan for your culinary education. Good luck!
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