Updated at: 04-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

The culinary arts, disciplines, and educational institutions all faced unique difficulties in the year 2020. Many aspiring pastry chefs and gourmet cooks have had their career plans derailed by the quarantines imposed by COVID-19. Cooking at home has become increasingly popular because food is such an integral part of everyone’s lives. An increasing number of Americans are spending more time in their kitchens, where they are gaining confidence in the kitchen and learning to cook a wider variety of dishes, as reported in a recent article in the New York Times.

Top Online Culinary Certificate Programs

Many people who are interested in becoming chefs might benefit from attending a culinary school online right now. Students enrolled in an online culinary arts or business management program can take their studies to the next level without leaving the convenience of their own homes and kitchens. Professional chefs and cooks are still in high demand in institutions like hospitals. More and more eateries are opening up across the United States, which bodes well for the industry’s pastry chefs and cooks.

Degrees and certificates in gourmet cooking, pastry and baking, culinary arts, food service management, and more are available from these accredited institutions online. Students can gain exposure to a lucrative field by enrolling in one of these well-respected programs taught by renowned chefs and faculty.

In addition, mastering culinary skills is not reserved for those destined for a career in the kitchen. As of the year 2021, many households are opting to stay in and prepare all three meals together. It’s not uncommon for home cooks to feel stuck when it comes to finding new and interesting recipes, or to be put off by the complicated methods professionals use. To those who identify with this description, good news: Whether you want to be the family’s main cook and bottle washer or the head chef at a five-star restaurant, now is a great time to pursue your passion for cooking thanks to the abundance of accessible online culinary learning opportunities.

Top online culinary certificate programs

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts – Online Culinary Arts Programs

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts – Online Culinary Arts Programs

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts has the online culinary arts programs you need to advance your career.

Those already in the workforce who are interested in furthering their education or acquiring new skills will benefit greatly from this accredited, 100% online culinary arts diploma program.

You can learn the ins and outs of the business side of the food industry and hone your skills without ever leaving your kitchen by enrolling in online courses taught by seasoned chefs.

When taking classes online, you can go at your own pace and still get a quality education.

The program is delivered entirely online, including all lectures and discussions, but students must complete an on-site industry externship in a commercial kitchen in order to earn their degree.

Le Cordon Bleu Online Learning

Le Cordon Bleu’s online courses are carefully crafted to bring you the benefits of their renowned culinary education without having to leave your home.

Learn at your own pace with weekly learning objectives, recorded video lectures from top instructors and industry experts, supplementary materials, and assignments.

Your instructor will be available for live Q&A each week to help put the material you’ve covered that week into context and answer any questions you might have.

All of the live events are captured on video for later viewing. You will have the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world and learn from their perspectives as well as provide and receive feedback on your own work.

Worldchefs Academy – Free Online Pre-Commis Chef Training Program

Worldchefs Academy – Free Online Pre-Commis Chef Training Program

The Pre-Commis Chef program at Worldchefs Academy is available for free and can be finished in as little as three months.

Students who want to begin their training as professional cooks will benefit most from this course.

The program is user-friendly and can be accessed through a mobile app. It has a final exam, as well as lessons, online training videos, transcripts, and a final test.

Each student will be awarded a completion certificate upon meeting the course requirements.

Before taking the final online exam to earn your certificate, feel free to use any and all of the training materials and put your knowledge to the test.

The League of Kitchens – Unique Online Culinary Courses

The League of Kitchens is a one-of-a-kind cooking school where female chefs from all over the world teach classes.

Traditional family recipes will be taught, and you’ll get to know your instructor and their background and interests while doing so.

As if that weren’t enough, you’ll also get to indulge in some truly fantastic culinary creations and drinks. There is a virtual dinner party and a packet of the instructor’s family recipes included in every online cooking class.

Through its programs, the League of Kitchens hopes to foster mutual appreciation and understanding between people of different cultures and to help immigrants find gainful employment and professional development opportunities.

The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, Saveur, and Eater have all written about the League of Kitchens.

Penn Foster Career School

All degrees and credentials from the Penn Foster Career School, a for-profit institution, are completed in an online format. There are nearly 150,000 students enrolled in the school’s fully online, asynchronous, career-focused diploma and certificate programs. Penn Foster, which has been around since 1890, now offers both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. It has its administrative heart in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but no traditional campus setup. Penn Foster claims to be adaptable, and it does indeed provide students with lower prices and more payment options. Aside from structured programs, you can also take individual courses to earn a credential or update your knowledge in your field. If you don’t want to commit to a full degree program, but would still like to gain some formal training in the kitchen, taking a few classes may be a good idea. Penn Foster holds dual accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

There are a variety of online cooking courses available at Penn Foster Career School. All of the courses can be completed online, and thanks to their dual accreditation, they are all highly regarded on a national scale. You’re free to pursue your education at any institution in the country. A career diploma in catering is available. The techniques, styles, meat, seafood, and pastry arts are all covered in this course. The lessons were carefully crafted with the young adult’s hectic lifestyle in mind. With the included cooking labs and detailed videos, you can complete the course work on your own time without missing out on the essential hands-on experience you would get at a traditional institution of higher learning. The Gourmet Cooking Career Certificate Program is another option for those interested in completing cooking school online. You can learn how to cook gourmet meals and present them beautifully without leaving your home in as little as three months with the help of this program.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is a non-profit learning facility focused on expanding artistic career opportunities. It was founded in 1787, is located in Pittsburgh, and holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. AIP was established in 1921 as a private art school, and since then it has expanded to offer a wide variety of courses, most of which are oriented toward the design and culinary arts. Since its parent company, Education Management Corporation, used the Art Institute of Pittsburgh as a blueprint for all of its other art institutes across the United States, it is often referred to as the “flagship” school of all art institutes in the country. During 1968, AIP was purchased by the Education Management Corporation. The online AIP program operates independently from the conventional campus in some respects. Both Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate level are offered, as are non-degree diploma courses. There are fewer than 700 students attending classes at the campus, while the online program has fewer than 5,000 registered users.

Degree programs in hospitality management, including hotel and restaurant management and food and beverage management, are available at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. You can earn a Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management, a Certificate in Event Management, or a Certificate in Food & Beverage Operations through the AIP Online Division. The combined length of the two certificates is only 5 quarters, or a third of the time required to complete the online bachelor’s degree. While some of the more traditional culinary arts programs are available entirely online, most can only be completed at the Pittsburgh campus. The school’s non-profit structure ensures that tuition is kept as low as possible while still allowing students access to a rigorous education delivered by dedicated teachers. While it’s true that no wholly online program is directly related to the food service industry, they can all serve as a solid springboard for further study and professional development in the kitchen.

Scottsdale Community College

The city of Scottsdale, Arizona, home to Scottsdale Community College, is a suburb of Phoenix. It’s a college that can get you an associate’s degree or a certificate in just two years. Comparatively, the initial enrollment of 948 students in 1970 is dwarfed by the current enrollment of around 10,000 students. There are seven majors to choose from and 22 different specialty tracks, from the more commonplace like business and nursing to the more out-of-the-ordinary like equine science and yoga instruction. While the total number of degrees may seem low in comparison to the student body, Scottsdale actually offers a wide variety of degrees. As a result of its affiliation with Northern Arizona University, the college also offers a bridge or transfer program. There are six different associate’s degrees that students can start at a community college and finish at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

Scottsdale Community College provides a variety of career programs, including one in the culinary arts. On-campus classes are held in a brand-new building outfitted with high-quality teaching kitchens where students can get hands-on experience with the same professional-grade appliances they will use in their future careers. The American Culinary Federation has recognized the quality of this training and given its stamp of approval to this course. Students who are interested in furthering their education can do so easily thanks to the university’s partnerships with Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and Johnson & Wales. The decision to offer at least part of this degree online was made to accommodate students with demanding schedules. This program has been around for nearly 30 years, but it is constantly developing and growing to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body and the changing needs of the industry.

Americal Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accredidation

Americal Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accredidation

The ACFEF has granted accreditation to Keiser University, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and Le Cordon Bleu. In terms of employment prospects for graduates, ACFEF-accredited culinary schools rank among the very best options. A school’s curriculum, resources, faculty, support staff, and institutional structure must all be of high enough quality for it to be considered for this award.

The advantages of attending a culinary arts school recognized by the ACFEF continue long after the student has graduated. After graduating, students from these institutions have up to a year from the time they meet all the ACF’s education-specific requirements to become certified as ACF members. If a degree in culinary arts impresses potential employers and going to an ACFEF-accredited school gets you an interview, then your ACF certification will certainly land you your dream job.

FAQs

What Is the Best Cooking App for Beginners?

Yummly, SideChef, Mealime, and many more are just a few of the popular cooking apps that can help complete novices get started in the kitchen. Different apps take different approaches to assisting users in the kitchen; some provide step-by-step instructions, while others act more as virtual assistants by recommending ingredients. Choose a service like Top Chef University if you’re interested in subscribing to a mobile app that provides in-depth, interactive online cooking instruction.

Is Gordon Ramsey on MasterClass?

In the MasterClass catalog, Gordon Ramsey Teaches Cooking can be accessed for a monthly fee of $15. There are a total of 20 separate lessons in the program, covering everything from basic knife skills and kitchen organization to the preparation of meat, vegetables, and more.

Can You Become a Chef Without Going to School?

The culinary arts are a growing industry, and there are many educational paths into them. Apprenticeships are less common, but are often offered by businesses and other organizations. Apprenticeships can be a good option for students who need to support a family while they acquire new skills. There is little difference between what is taught in culinary schools and what is taught in apprenticeship programs.

How Much Does a Chef Earn a Year?

As reported by the BLS, the median annual salary for chefs and head cooks is $53,380. Beginning cooks may not make as much as these experts due to the lack of experience and education. The salary you can expect to earn depends on where in the world you live. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salaries of chefs and head cooks in the states of New Jersey, Hawaii, and Rhode Island are significantly higher than the national average.

Conclusion

Online culinary schools can help you get where you want to go in life. Online culinary schools can help you get the training you need to further your career or simply become a better cook.