Behind the Line

Topic: Your Career

Culinary School

If you didn't go to culinary school, do you wish you had? Why or why not?

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  • Dan Maurer
  • Executive Sous Chef
  • The Bedford
  • Chicago , IL
Im glad I didn't. All of my training came on the job, which saved me a lot of money and time.

Last updated: Sep 4 2012

 

A lot is said about the allure of culinary schools. But are they really all that? How do you feel about the state of culinary schools in America today? How would you improve them, or would you change them at all?

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I honestly think that culinary schools are a touchy subject. What it truly boils down to is the individual student and what he/she makes of the experience. I personally went to two culinary schoo... more »

Last updated: Dec 18 2012

 

Studying abroad. One of the golden opportunities that comes with culinary education. Have you studied abroad for anything? If so, where? And what'd you do there?

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I actually went to highschool and college in the Philippines. I was a psychology major. It was a big switch after growing up in Michigan, but I learned so much more about my heritage and the grea... more »

Last updated: Dec 18 2012

 

Culinary school is a great place to carve early industry friendships. If you went to cul school, are you still in touch with any college comrades? How so?

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CIA was a great educational experience, but it was also a place where I met some of my closest friends. We are now spread all over the world, but after graduating I managed to visit them in their ... more »

Last updated: Dec 18 2012

 

One of the key parts of culinary school is the internship/externship. If you went to culinary school, where were your most prominent internships?

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I interned at the Westchester Country Club with chef Edward Leonard, CMC and Johnathan Moosmiller. I learned a lot about classic techniques and had the opportunity to watch the ACF National team p... more »

Last updated: Dec 18 2012