Food for Thought

See also Cooking 101. There are probably as many ways to get a culinary education as there are professional chefs. If culinary school seems a bit narrow in its focus, you may want to check out some of the liberal-arts and career colleges in New England that offer culinary programs along with English, math, and history. Following is a sampling of programs: Southern New Hampshire University offers a two-year associate’s degree program in culinary arts, with courses ranging from hands-on cooking to culinary math to principles of table service. After two years, students can transfer into a four-year hospitality program. Bachelor’s, associate’s, and certificate programs in related areas are also available. Manchester, NH. 800-668-1249, 603-668-2211. Boston University’s academic programs are world-famous; less widely known is the fact that BU offers a 14-week certificate program in culinary arts. Students receive more than 400 hours of instruction through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on cooking in the university’s state-of-the-art facilities. Culinary seminars for the general public are also offered. Boston, MA. 617-353-4636. Newbury College offers a two-year associate’s degree covering the fundamentals of food preparation and baking techniques, international and classical cuisines, sanitation, and nutrition, including a summer internship at a professional venue. Students may go on to a four-year bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Brookline, MA. 617-730-7000.