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Students considering culinary school have quite a few decisions to make.
Where do they want to study? On campus or online? Should they learn at their local community college or choose a dedicated culinary school instead?
Although there are benefits to both models, dedicated schools like Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts have certain advantages that may not be matched at a community college culinary school. A dedicated culinary school may be a better choice for students who are laser-focused on their culinary education and career advancement. Here’s why.
Dedicated Culinary Schools Have A Singular Focus
Community colleges have dozens of different departments competing for the same resources. Whether that’s funding, equipment, square footage, or administrative attention, a community college culinary school may be competing with other programs for support.
In contrast, every resource at a dedicated culinary school is earmarked to help the culinary students and graduates meet their career goals. This includes everything from administrative services and career planning support to kitchen facilities and class offerings.
And while you may be interested in topics besides cooking, you may not have as many extraneous general education classes at a dedicated culinary school. This means you can focus most of your attention on studying skills that will help you in your culinary career.
Escoffier Career Services staff help culinary students find externships and other employment opportunities.
Plus, a concentrated campus makes it easier for students to connect and network with fellow classmates and Chef Instructors. You’ll reach out to these people throughout your culinary career, sharing your wins and looking for opportunities, so it’s important to get to know them!
The Best Culinary Schools Will Have A National or International Reputation
Dedicated culinary schools like Escoffier have name recognition. For example, Chef’s Pencil rated Escoffier the #1 culinary school in the United States.† Escoffier also earned Newsweek’s 5-Star Award for America’s Top Online Learning Schools.††
†https://www.chefspencil.com/best-culinary-schools-in-america/
†† https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-top-online-colleges-2025/americas-top-online-learning-providers-2025
Why is that important? Because potential employers want to know what they can expect from their new hire. If they are familiar with the school you attended, they will feel confident in the skills you’re likely to bring to their kitchen.*
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
As a dedicated culinary school, Escoffier has developed partnerships with some well-known brands to provide externship and employment opportunities.
A well-known name like Escoffier signals to prospective employers that you’ve had a quality education. Having a high-quality education may be able to provide you opportunities to work at international companies, major cruise lines, well-known restaurants and resorts.
Escoffier extern Reshmanth on his culinary journey at Lilac Tiger in Chicago.
Students at Escoffier can enjoy the benefits of our international reputation before they even complete their program. Escoffier students have the opportunity to take an industry externship with some of the top culinary employers in the country – supplementing theory with real industry experience in a restaurant, hotel, or other food service establishment. Our Career Services staff works with students to help match them with the right externship where they can get real-world, hands-on experience with a quality business.
Dedicated Culinary Schools Employ Award-Winning Chef Instructors
A dedicated culinary school also attracts some of the best faculty. Some Chef Instructors at Escoffier, for example, have 20, 30, even 40 years of real-world restaurant, resort, and hotel experience.
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
Experienced instructors like Chef Albert Schmid, who has has won three Gourmand Awards for his cookbooks, and has cooked professionally for the U.S. Surgeon General, state governors, and Olympic gold medalists, could be one of your instructors. Other students may learn from Eric Jenkins, a former White House chef.
Students may work closely with Chef Instructors to hone their craft.
Not only could you learn from these world-class instructors — they could also become part of your extensive industry network upon completion of your program in the culinary or pastry arts. For example, Escoffier graduate Michael Fields was hired by world-renowned barbecue expert Aaron Franklin after one of his Chef Instructors introduced them.* Oftentimes, having someone vouch for you can be the pathway to a coveted job. Meeting industry experts or respected professionals in the classroom is an important benefit you can take advantage of at a dedicated culinary school.
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
Opportunities For Culinary Career Advancement
Both dedicated and community college culinary schools may have a career placement or career services department.
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
At a dedicated culinary school like Escoffier, students have access to job search assistance focused solely on culinary and pastry arts careers. This lets the school staff build one large culinary network to help graduates.
Patricia Souza, VP of Student and Career Services at Escoffier, has noticed the difference. “As employers look to hire students, the most attractive thing about Escoffier students is their skill level and their commitment to the industry. This is not just a part-time job, they’re trying to commit to a lifestyle and to a career,” she says.
Still, for some students, community college may be the right choice. While they’re not known at a national or international level, community colleges often have solid local connections. So students who plan to work in the local city or county where they live may find that the network at a community college meets their needs.
Alumni Success and Support at a Dedicated Culinary School
Once you graduate, alumni services can be a huge help to keep you connected with your peers and colleagues. The alumni benefits at a dedicated culinary school are similar to the career services. Alumni events can keep you networking with faculty who are often well-known chefs with a variety of high-level professional connections. You can also network with your fellow graduates who may be looking for support in their own culinary projects, or who may work for established restaurants or hospitality businesses.
Culinary School Return on Investment
There’s no doubt that community college tuition is one of the most affordable ways to get a degree, including for culinary school. But price isn’t everything. As you weigh your education options, it’s important to consider what you’re getting for your tuition investment.
One of the most significant benefits of a dedicated culinary school is name recognition. Chefs and hospitality employers generally feel more confident hiring staff who have graduated from a school they’re familiar with.
And again, having the industry-specific career support and alumni services of a dedicated culinary school could be a huge benefit compared to a community college culinary school.
Having a core group of fellow alumni from a dedicated culinary school may provide you with better employment opportunities after graduation.
There are various types of financial aid available to those who apply and qualify, which may help you follow your culinary passion at a dedicated school like Escoffier. Don’t let pricing be an obstacle that gets in your way of reaching for the education that’s truly right for you.
Dedicated Culinary School May Have More to Offer
While community college culinary schools may make sense if you want to stay local, with global name recognition, some of the best Chef Instructors, and a focused Career Services staff, dedicated culinary schools like Escoffier are able to offer some of the best networking opportunities and potential for career growth.
To get a feel for the on-campus environment at a dedicated culinary school, take a virtual tour of our Austin and Boulder campuses or consider our fully online diploma or degree in Culinary Arts, diploma in Pastry Arts with industry externship, or numerous other hospitality industry options.
ENJOY THIS ARTICLE? HERE ARE A FEW MORE YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Culinary School
- Escoffier 101: Everything You Need to Know About Culinary School
- Are the Culinary Arts a Good Career Choice for You?
This article was originally published on June 10, 2020 and has been updated.
