Have you ever wanted to make a culinary career as a ‘station chef' or a ‘line cook'? Well, these are terms a chef de partie is also referred to as. The food service industry has to offer plenty of career possibilities for candidates who have a strong passion for cooking and are prepared to stand the kitchen heat. There's no doubt that the cooking industry features a fast-paced work environment. However, this challenging profession brings you a much rewarding career. If you want to prepare yourself to become a chef de partie or a station chef, you need to know the job description for this job position, educational requirements, job skills and career prospects. Below, we discuss about it all to help you become successful in this occupation of culinary arts.

 

Job Description
The chef is referred to as station chef due to the fact that they handle a specific area or ‘station' of the kitchen. High-end restaurants and large kitchens have multiple sections. A chef de partie specialize in the handling of one of these sections. Usually there are one or two chefs responsible for handling kitchen activities in a particular section. In case there are more chef de parties, they are referred to as chef #1, chef #2 etc.

 

In a specific kitchen section, the chef de partie has the responsibility of overseeing tasks including food preparation, cooking and presentation of food recipes. Apart from food preparation, they supervise and delegate tasks to other chefs working in a special area of the kitchen. Therefore, the job of a chef de partie does not only require great food preparation skills, but it also requires experience in handling administrative responsibilities.

 

One of the most important job duties of a chef de partie is to ensure that the food quality and the food safety standards are maintained appropriately. In addition, they are well versed with looking after several issues that may arise in the kitchen area.

 

Specialization Areas
The Chef de partie is responsible for handling any of the many kitchen stations. Large kitchens are divided into many ‘stations'. These specialization stations include a saute chef, a grill chef (Rotisseur), a pantry chef (Garde Manger), a pastry chef (Patissier), a fish chef (poisonnier) a roast chef (Grillardin), a vegetable chef (Entremetier) etc. Among all these, the job position of a sauté chef is highest ranking position in the kitchen.

 

Work Environment
The work environment for chefs is fast-paced. Though restaurants feature an attractive environment, the kitchen area is usually hot and crowded with food preparation workers, cooks and chefs. During peak hours, the chef de partie needs to perform their tasks under constant pressure to serve the food well and on time. Depending on the restaurant requirements, chefs may need to work irregular hours.

 

Educational Qualification
Since the job of a chef de partie is not an entry level position, it required candidates to possess extensive work experience working in different sections of the kitchen. To become successful as a chef de partie or a station chef or a line cook, candidates need to attend an credited culinary school. Today, there are several cooking schools and culinary institutions offering degree programs in culinary arts. Depending on their career interest, students need to pursue the right culinary program or course. Students can choose to enroll into associate or bachelor degree programs in culinary arts or cooking. Several years of work experience will always play the key role in getting hired as a chef de partie in large kitchen and high-end restaurants.

 

Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a fairly good job outlook for chef de partie employment. Entry level chef positions may be easy to acquire. However, candidates will face tough competition occupying chef de parties' jobs in large kitchen, high-end restaurant and restaurant chains. Due to the demanding work environment, the turnover for chef jobs is also quite high.

 

There are many who have turned their passions into profitable careers. If you too have a strong passion for cooking and experimenting with dishes, you can always consider obtaining formal education in culinary arts. A culinary arts degree will provide you with a well rounded education about the art and science of great cooking. Equipped with expert culinary skills, you can kick-start a career in the field of culinary arts to become an executive chef, banquet chef, pastry chef, head chef etc. Read on to have all the essential occupational information including the benefits of obtaining a degree in culinary arts, various degree types, job prospects and career opportunities in this field.

 

Obtaining Your Culinary Arts Degree Online
Today, candidates can avail themselves of facility of online degree programs. If you are employed, an online training program is the right learning option for you. The online degree in culinary arts will train you in the techniques and skills of cooking and food preparation. Obtaining education online will save you a lot of time and money. You can easily work around your own schedules and fix your own learning hours. And there would be no chances of missing classes.

 

There will be no heavy schedules and time-bound assignments. You will also save on study material expenses. The best part is that you can complete your assignments at your own pace and still will be evaluated by university standards.

 

Benefits of Formal Culinary Education
You might be strongly passionate about cooking a wide range of dishes and experimenting. However, to establish a successful career in the cooking industry, you will need to fine tune your skills in terms of food preparation, mixing of ingredients in the right amount, presentation skills and other essential kitchen activities. The culinary training will teach you a variety of skills and techniques including use of knife, cutting, baking techniques, frying, steaming, safety control, hygiene standards, menu planning, food styling, garnishing etc.

 

Culinary programs offered by cooking skills offer a lot more. Besides getting trained in taste and smell skills, you will learn essential job skills like work ethics that apply in the real world and interpersonal communication skills. Culinary degree programs will teach the appropriate using of a wide range of cooking equipments including blenders, grinders, oven, stove etc. Cooking schools will train you in multi-cuisine preparation, finance and marketing among others. To enable you to establish successful culinary careers, the degree programs also train you in administrative level tasks for senior level job positions.

 

Job Prospects
A culinary arts degree program prepares you for a wide range of careers in the cooking industry. There are diverse career possibilities that you can choose from. Some of the most profitable careers you can choose from are as follows.

 

Head Chef
Banquet Chef
Beverage & Wine Chef or Sommelier
Bartender
Food Preparation Worker
Pastry Chef or Patissier
Cruise Line Chef
Pantry Cook
Chef de Partie
Restaurant Manager
Culinary Trainer

 

Career Opportunities
A culinary school degree prepares for various careers. Plenty of career opportunities await those who have completed university degree programs and possess working experience. Culinary professionals can find jobs in places like hotels, restaurants, resorts, spas, spas, bars, cafes etc. In addition, you can also choose to become culinary trainer in universities and cooking schools.

 

Diploma & Certificate Programs
If you are looking for basic education and want to occupy entry level jobs, you can choose to enroll into diploma and certification programs offered by several cooking schools. Most of these programs take 8-10 weeks to complete. Commonly offered diploma programs include pastry arts, baking, professional cooking etc.

 

Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree is the perfect option to kick-start a career in this field. The degree program trains candidates in all the basic techniques and skills of the trade. The hospitality industry is in regular demand of associate degree graduates. The training program proves to be a stepping stone for an advanced career in the culinary industry.

 

Bachelor's Degree Programs
If you aspire to occupy senior level job positions, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited culinary school. The degree provides you with a well rounded education in the art of cooking. The program offers you specialization that you need to become a chef. The typical course work of these training programs include concepts, understanding of skills, presentation skills, history of food preparation, ethics of food preparation etc.

 

If you wish to enter into the field of culinary arts and have a strong passion for making breads, cookies, chocolates, cake, ice cream and pies, becoming a pastry chef or a patissier can just be the right career option for you. Though the dessert comes at the end of a meal, it can make or break the taste of the entire course of meal. And the best part is that the demand for pastry chefs is quite strong in the culinary industry. There are several culinary schools where you can enroll into a culinary arts course and get trained in the art of baking and pastry making. Read on to know about the job responsibilities, education and training required and career prospects in this occupation.

 

Job Description
Since the job of a pastry chef uses a lot of innovative skills, you will never get bored. Whether it is a hotel chain, a resort or a high end restaurant, patissiers are in high demand in the food preparation industry. A pastry chef has the responsibility of supervising all the operations inside the pastry kitchen. You will be handling work include preparation and production of a wide range of pastry and bakery items. Whether it is about making confections, wedding cakes, a range of breads and other specialty items, the pastry chef need to possess creative skills to prepare all of these items.

 

A pastry chef or a patissier's job description does not involve only preparation of desserts and bakery items, but it may also include looking after administrative tasks including menu planning cost control and ordering supplies. You job responsibilities will prove to be quite challenging, as you will also need to do some research for creating and testing new dessert recipes. Preparation of all the dessert items needs to be done in advance before seating begins for dinner. The challenge is to prepare recipes that are exciting and attract customers. Artwork in pastry making plays a vital role.

 

The pastry department in a large hotel or high end restaurant may have one or more pastry chefs, aside from assistants and bakers. The pastry chef performs the duties of heading the department supervising other assistants and bakers, planning the menu and making sure the preparation is done in time to be served at the end of a meal. The chef has to take into consideration all the aesthetics involved in the process including the taste, size, shape, color, calories, presentation etc.

 

Educational Qualification & Training Required
Candidates who aspire to make a career in pastry arts can enroll into a relevant culinary arts course that trains them into the art of baking and pastry making. Today, there are numerous culinary art schools and courses offering courses in baking, pastry making, culinary arts etc. To become a pastry chef or a pastissier, you can get enrolled into one of the following courses.

 

Baking and Pastry Certificate
Associate's Degree in Applied Science Culinary Arts
Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts

 

Certifications courses in baking and pastry making can prepare for entry level jobs. If you are looking for well rounded education, you should go for an associate degree or a bachelor degree. A bachelor's degree in culinary arts will highly increase your chances of landing jobs and make a successful culinary career. Before you get enrolled in a culinary arts program, remember to go through the detailed coursework and check the accreditation of the culinary schools you attend.

 

Job Skills
Candidates should possess some essential skills and personal characteristics to become a successful pastry chef. Excellent organization skills and detail orientation are crucial to become successful. Other important qualities include creativity, patience, understanding of scientific principles, correct measurement capability, extensive food preparation techniques, people skills, management and business skills among others.
 

Career Prospects
There is no dearth of employment opportunities for candidates with formal training and relevant working experience. You may need to face stiff competition at the start of your career. However, as you grow in experience and skills, you will have excellent career opportunities. According to the Unites States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for pastry chef jobs is expected to grow as fast as the average of all other occupations. As the culinary industry continues to expand, job opportunities will also arise.

 

Annual Salary
The salary of a pastry chef varies depending on the years of experience you carry and the job position you take. The average annual salary of a patissier or a pastry chef is $35,000. As you grow in experience and acquire more skill sets, the salary can go up to $65,000 annually or more.

Hotels, restaurants, country clubs, resorts and other food establishments demand professional persons to handle their day to day affair. They offer lucrative salaries to their employees such as Floor Manager, Chef etc. Looking at the great demand of trained professionals in hospitality industry, the universities have started conferring degrees in culinary arts. However there are online as well as conventional schools conferring bachelor degree in culinary but earning a bachelor degree in culinary will be more advantageous for students.

 

Bachelor of Arts Degree:

 

1. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management
2. Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management

 

Typical Coursework of Bachelor Degrees

Student will become master in buffet catering, supervision and management, international cuisine and economic theory by earning online bachelor of arts degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management. The online bachelor of arts degree course in Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management is enough for culinary students to understand the needs of modern day consumer. You can easily manage customers, systems, resources as well as finances in a food establishment after earning an online bachelor degree in culinary arts.

 

Searching for Culinary Arts/ Cooking School

One can find numerous culinary schools in internet but the best way to access an online culinary school is using a directory service. Online directories enlist only accredited culinary schools so that students earn accredited online culinary degrees. By visiting directories, you can access prestigious culinary schools such as Scottsdale Culinary Institute for earning online bachelor degree in culinary arts. The directories provide their services free of cost. You can use the request to information form available on a directory to access online universities. This form let an admission counselor contact you at your prescribed time. You can ask the counselor to give you even minute details regarding their bachelor degree programs. 

 

Apart from providing the request directory services also provide you a brief introduction about the online culinary school and online bachelor degree courses in culinary arts. Student can go through this information for selecting an online culinary school or an online bachelor degree course in culinary arts. An online directory like DegreeAuthority.com provides you a long list of accredited online cooking schools across America . You get more choice in selecting an online culinary school by visiting a directory.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Bachelor Degree Online 

Culinary students can save their money and time too by earning online bachelor degree in culinary arts. The online culinary schools let the students take their own time in completing their online bachelor degree course in culinary arts. As an online culinary student, you can become a bachelor in 24 months. The traditional way takes four years in conferring culinary bachelor degrees. So by earning online degrees in culinary arts you save your two years time, which is enough to get ample work experience.

 

Students need not visit a college campus for attending classes. The classes for online bachelor degree course in culinary arts are organized online and students can attend them at their home. They save money expended in traveling and paying hostel rent. The study material is available online for students. It helps them save money expended in buying books. Moreover the online study material is easy to update and the professors keep fresh with latest updates.

 

Working people, economically weaker and disabled students can take the advantage of online bachelor degree. The working people can earn their online bachelor degrees without disturbing their job. Physically challenged students can become culinary bachelor without entering into a classroom. The economically weaker students can borrow student loan or apply for a scholarship for garnering funds for paying online culinary school fees.

 

You will get full day to work or study while earning an online bachelor degree in culinary arts. Poor student can work to repay their student loans. Affluent students can work to get practical experience besides earning an online bachelor degree in culinary arts.

An online associate degree in culinary education can help you to become a great chef. There are a variety of online degree programs offered by prestigious institutes. Have a look over the degree programs and select one for you.

Associate of Occupational Studies Degree Programs:

1. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts
2. Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management
3. Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking

 

Getting Trained & Degree Benefits

The Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts degree program helps you get trained in contemporary cooking techniques and kitchen management. The Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management degree program includes managerial theory with hands-on experience in hospitality management. The Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking is another branch of culinary arts dealing specially with Patisserie and Baking techniques. Students can choose an online course according to their interest.

 

Online associate of occupational studies degree programs are advantageous for culinary student in economical perspective. The online universities conferring associate of culinary arts degrees have cost effective fees structure as compared to conventional culinary colleges. Online students also save the money, which conventional students expend in traveling, paying hostel rent and in buying books.

 

Earning online associate of culinary arts degree is just a matter of time for culinary students. The online universities provide students liberty to take their own time for pursuing online associate of culinary arts courses. They can earn their online associate degree in culinary arts in a few months. Investing less time in earning online associate degree in culinary arts means more time to invest in career making.

 

Students get online study material, which is updated by the professors continuously. You can easily attend online classes as they are organized in night and weekend. Students are guided by experienced instructors, which are available online most of the time.

 

Online associate degree in culinary arts best suits to working people, who cannot devote their full day for attending classes in conventional colleges. They can earn online culinary degrees without taking long leaves from their office or quitting their job.

 

Physically challenged students are equally benefited by earning online associate degree in culinary arts. The online universities let them become Line Cook, Banquet Cook, Garde manger and Prep Cook at hotels, resorts and country clubs worldwide without stepping into a conventional classroom.

 

Economically weaker students can take the advantage of cost effective fees structure of online culinary schools. They can borrow student loan or apply for scholarships. Repaying loan installments never cause havoc for online associate degree students. They can earn in the day for repaying their student loan.

 

Accredited Culinary Schools & Colleges

Students have to choose an online culinary school. However one can find numerous online culinary schools using a search engine but to verify the accreditation of an online university you have to contact the regulatory authority. Students have to careful while applying for online degrees. It must be accredited with the state regulatory otherwise it will not be recognized by the employers.

 

Popular accredited online culinary schools -

 

Western Culinary Institute

California Culinary Academy

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas

Scottsdale Culinary Institute

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts - Atlanta.

 

The online directories give wider choice to students in selecting the online school for earning online associate degrees in culinary arts. You can choose an online culinary school by going their curriculum. Students can also apply for private student loan from DegreeAuthority.com and other directories.

 

The rapidly growing hospitality sector with in-store supermarket bakeries, pastry shops, bakeries and restaurants need professional bakers and pastry chefs to serve their customers. Online culinary schools provide you an opportunity to earn online culinary certificate in a few months. You can become a principal pastry chef in restaurant or start your own bakery.

 

There are two online culinary certificates available for students - 

 

1. Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking

2. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts.

 

You can choose one by going through the online culinary certificate program details.

 

Getting Trained & Advantage of the Program

Both the online culinary certificate programs are sufficient to boost your career. However one can also earn a certificate in culinary through conventional ways too but the online culinary certificate will be more advantageous for a student. Let us sum up the advantages of online culinary certificate program.

 

Students of online culinary certificate get hands-on training by professionals in dough methods, international recipes, candies, showpieces, nutrition, human resource management, safety and sanitation without stepping into a classroom. You are free to work and get practical experience in a food service establishment while earning online culinary certificate.

 

Online culinary certificate programs are cost effective. Students save dollars expended as traveling cost, hostel rent and books cost. The fees structure of online culinary schools helps economically weaker students to earn online culinary certificates without much trouble. They can arrange fees by getting scholarships or borrowing student loans. You can work for in the day for paying your student loan installments.

 

Earning online culinary certificate is jus a matter of some months while conventional colleges can take much longer time in conferring the same. Investing less time in earning online culinary certificate lets you start your career in culinary at an early stage.

 

Working people will get benefited most from online culinary certificate programs. They can learn basic culinary techniques, artisan bread production, European pastry production and more without disturbing their job. The conventional way requires working people either to take long leaves or quit their job for earning culinary certificates.

 

Students facing any kind of disability can make career in culinary by earning online culinary certificate. They can pursue an online culinary certificate program without traveling long distances. It will not save their money but time too.

 

Getting Enrolled

Students must enroll only in accredited online culinary schools. A non accredited online culinary certificate is not recognized by the employers. Finding accredited online culinary schools is a tough job for students as they surf internet pages and contact regulatory authority for verifying the accreditation status of searched online culinary schools.

 

As a culinary student you can use the services of online directories. You will find accredited online culinary schools like California Culinary Academy , Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas, Scottsdale Culinary Institute and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Atlanta enlisted in an online directory. These directories provide you easy access to these prestigious institutions through their web pages. The students fill a request to information page available on the directory for an online culinary school to let an admission counselor contact them.

 

An online directory like DegreeAuthority.com provides you access to more than one premium online culinary school so that you get what you deserve. Each online culinary school has different course to teach under its online culinary certificate programs. Students should go through the online culinary certificate programs of online culinary schools for selecting the best. Apart from this you can also apply for private student loan through DegreeAuthority.com or other such online directories.

 

The online directories charge nothing from students. It means that all the information comes to your free of cost. You have to click on the web pages of DegreeAuthority.com or others and the latest information regarding online culinary certificate programs will start following towards you.

 

Culinary programs have broader meaning than merely cooking foods. A student pursuing career in culinary is required to earn formal degrees, diploma or certificates in culinary arts. It will help students to become an expert in culinary arts. However the cost of higher studies has risen considerably across America and it is quite difficult for an average American family to send their child for studying culinary in conventional way. But you can opt for online culinary programs. The advent of information technology has let the universities go online for conferring online culinary degrees, diploma and certificates. Look at the available online culinary programs and select one for yourself.

Certificate Course:

1. Baking and Pastry Arts
2. Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking
3. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts

Diploma Program:

1. Professional Culinary Arts

Associate Degree:

1. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts
2. Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management
3. Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking

Bachelor Degree:

1. Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management
2. Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management

Advantages of online culinary programs

Students of online culinary programs make their own schedule for learning. They have the opportunity to complete their online culinary programs in few months or years. You are not compelled to complete your online culinary program in a fix time period. The flexibility in learning helps students to understand culinary concepts better.

 

Online culinary programs are cost effective as compared to conventional programs. Students do not expend money in traveling, paying hostel room rent and buying costly printed books. The study material for online culinary programs is available online. You can download it if required. The professors at online culinary schools continuously update the study material for the benefits of students. This is somewhat impossible with printed books.

 

The enrollment procedure for online culinary programs runs throughout the year. Students can select an online culinary school for learning culinary arts whenever they are determined. The online culinary schools are very liberal in admitting students. The educational requirements for online culinary programs are often met by students possessing minimum qualification.

 

Online culinary programs best suits to working people. They can earn degrees, diploma or certificates in culinary arts with their jobs. Physically challenged students too can become an expert in culinary arts without attending a regular college. Students coming from economically weaker section can easily arrange funds for paying online culinary program fees by borrowing student loan. Do not worry about payment of loan installments. You can repay student loan by working in day.

 

Searching online culinary school

Internet is no doubt the best medium for searching online culinary schools but selecting an online culinary school from online directories is more trustworthy. As an American student you know the value of accredited online culinary programs. Only accredited online culinary programs get recognized by the employers.

 

The prestigious online culinary schools like California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas, Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts – Atlanta, Kitchen Academy , Kitchen Academy – Sacramento and Western Culinary Institute are accessible through DegreeAuthority.com and others. Accessing all the schools at a time is not possible if you do not use an online directory. Students can go through their short introduction before filling request to information form for these online culinary schools. The introduction of online culinary schools helps students to understand their teaching techniques.

 

You will be approached by an admission counselor of that online culinary school for which you filled the request to information form. Students can fill as many forms as the feel required. Students can not only apply for enrollment in online culinary programs through a directory but can apply for private student loan too.