You don't have to be a genius to know that Miami is a cultural and culinary Mecca. Just close your eyes and throw a rock and you'll hit 3 to 50 eateries glorifying international cuisines. And let's face it, one thing we know how to do well in Miami is eat.
Some cuisiniers have degrees from elite culinary academies, years of restaurant experience and their own prestigious food establishments. Others simply don't need the razzle dazzle of it all to love to cook. So whether you're on a righteous path to becoming the Next Food Network Star, starting a trend to conquer the food truck, or just want to make some tasty treats in your own kitchen, it doesn't hurt to brush up on your basics.
Below you'll find a quick list of culinary schools, all located in
Miami. We will cover the fundamentals: cost, reputation, location, and
most importantly, the "what's in it for me (WIFM)" category.
Most
schools require a HS diploma (or equivalent) prior to entry. AS
degrees are two-year programs, while BS degrees usually last four years. Be
warned, many are expensive and ask students to shell out a lot of dough
(food pun intended, high prices not so funny, though). Alright let's take
a look at our options, shall we!
This list is arranged from most expensive to least expensive.
Offers: AAS Degree in Culinary Arts, BS Baking & Pastry Art, and BS Culinary Nutrition
Cost: Annual Tuition is $17,652 with Room & Board at $6,500/year.
Reputation: Daddy Warbucks exterior with an Orphan Annie learning experience. (i.e. It's expensive but students say the hard work pays off)
Location: 1701 NE 127th St, North Miami
WIFM:
Student to Teacher ratio is 18:1. Offers a solid group of degrees that
will instill the necessary knowledge needed to make it in the food
industry. It's also always ranked in the top 10 best culinary schools in
the US.
Offers:
AS Degree in Culinary Operations, AS Degree in Hospitality &
Restaurant Management, BA in Culinary Management, and Certificates in
Baking & Pastry Art, as well as Culinary Arts.
Cost: $17,550/yearly
Reputation: The cool, hip uncle you always looked up to. You know
the one; he cracks sly jokes, he's been to Europe and back, and cuts
the BS to give you good, solid advice. (i.e., They know what they're
doing, and they happen to do it well)
Location: 3221 Enterprise Way, Miramar
WIFM: Well known around the world. Actually, it's the most known
around the world. They have a school just about everywhere there are
affluent mouths to feed and aspiring chefs to teach. It's also
another school that is always ranked in the top 10 best culinary schools
in the US.
Offers: AS Degree in Culinary Arts
Cost: $12,320/yearly
Reputation: New Kid on the Block. MCI is starting its second semester this fall.
Location: MDC Wolfson Campus. 415 NE 2nd Ave #9104, Miami
WIFM: Offers a degree program at a school that has its finger
on the pulse of the culinary world of today. They also offer a dizzying
long list of
affordable cooking classes if you'd like some hands-on training but
aren't quite willing to fork over so much cash for tuition just yet.
Offers: AS Degree in Culinary Arts
Cost: $10,200/yearly
Reputation: Lemonade stand youngster. (i.e., Boutique-store college located in a shopping center.)
Location:10395 NW 41 St., Miami
WIFM: If you want a casual and flexible learning experience, this will most likely fit the bill.
Online Cooking School: Rouxbe
Offers: Online classes, videos, quizzes & more in the comfort of your casa, wherever it may be.
Cost: $240/yearly or $30/month
Reputation: The young twenty-something with business savvy.(i.e., Rave reviews with foodie minds everywhere)
Location: Your kitchen is now your classroom!
WIFM: The site is run by an accomplished chef, breaking down the
basics to make it easy to learn. This is ideal for inquiring home cooks
and inspiring chefs wanting to beef up their knowledge on all
that is food.This site is BIG amongst food bloggers everywhere, and
where they sing Rouxbe's praises their readers follow.
The
question of whether Miami Culinary Schools are up to chop is really up
to you. We hear from some chefs, who hail from certain Northern
boroughs, that Miami is definitely not up to snuff yet. Sure we may not
have a CIA (Culinary Institute of America- currently ranked #1
everywhere in culinary arts education) but we have a multifaceted city just raring to show off what it can do. And
if we're lucky, CIA will open up shop down here some day.
When it
comes down to it, what's needed is for you to acquire some cooking knowledge. Finding the school that works best for your needs will take a
little more sleuthing to reach your goal, which is, after all, making
an accomplished and appetizing meal people will crave to eat.
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