As a Food Lover, do you wish to start your culinary career journey in one of the culinary schools in Minnesota? Then this article is the right one for you!
Culinary skills are one of the highly sought skills in this 21st century. Having these skills has a lot of benefits and opportunities attached to it. That is why so many people are taking online courses on cooking as well as baking courses.
So many restaurants, hotels, and eateries scattered all over the world need people with good culinary skills to satisfy their customer’s palettes. Also, the chefs or restauranteurs are expected to have a tight grasp of some food safety courses to ensure that their customers remain in good health.
Becoming a chef is not easy. You don’t just have to love food and cooking. You also have to focus on picking up the skills, knowledge, and stamina necessary to survive the constant hustle and bustle inside a kitchen.
To become a culinary expert, there are important skills to be acquired. They are listed below:
Creativity
Being a chef isn’t just about cooking fast but also about devising new recipes and finding new methods of presentation. Without creativity, it’s near impossible to make it as a chef.
Strong work ethic
Doing double shifts at the restaurant, preparing food on time, and sacrificing the hours you would have otherwise spent with friends and family is a rite of passage to becoming a chef.
Physical endurance
When in the kitchen, you will be expected to work for long periods without taking any breaks. And you’ll have to do all of that in the heat of the kitchen. Naturally, you’ll have to build physical endurance to be able to do it.
Manual dexterity
As a chef, you’ll have to be mixing, slice, assembling, chopping, squeezing, washing, and doing all sorts of manual things while also keeping your table and your sleeves clean.
Attention to detail
One mistake, and your dish won’t taste as good, the customers will be dissatisfied, and your reputation will go down. If you don’t learn how to be perfect at cooking, things can easily fall apart.
There are a lot of culinary schools all over the world, but in this article, we will be focusing on Culinary Schools in Minnesota.
One of the most populated states in the Midwest, Minnesota has over 5.4 million people living within its borders. This includes the almost 700,000 people living in Minnesota’s two biggest cities, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Even in all of the major cities in Minnesota, the cost of living is only 4% above the national average.
There are a ton of high-quality restaurants in Minnesota, and they span different cuisines and tastes. Since it is located in the Midwest, Minnesota offers chefs access to the freshest beef possible. Some of the highest-ranked restaurants in Minnesota are Monte Carlo, Black Sheep Pizza, and Bar La Grassa.
If you want to become a chef in Minnesota, these 10 schools can help you get there. Six are located in or very close to the Twin Cities, but the other four are dispersed throughout the state.
Currently, culinary school tuition typically costs over $30,000. That’s a steep price for most students to consider and one that will force many students to utilize financial aid.
Specifically in Minnesota, the cost to attend Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis/St. Paul ranges from $19,000 to $72,000 depending on the qualification, with a median cost of $38,000. Most students pay for their tuition fees through scholarships and grants.
The time required to complete this education training ranges from 8 months to 2 years depending on the qualification, with a median completion time of 15 months.
There are some requirements needed for a culinary school. Though the requirements differ for each school, there are still the general or basic requirements most culinary schools if not all will ask of.
Below are some of them:
- You must have completed your high school and be ready to present high school certificates, official transcripts, GED, HISET, high school equivalency documents, etc.
- You must pay a non-refundable fee of $25. However, it is important to note that in some schools, it may be more or less and it may not also be required in some schools.
- You must provide your reference letters with valid ID cards.
- You must write and submit your essay
- You must possess a study permit card or a student visa for international students.
- Your score for proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL for English, DELE for the Spanish language, DELF or DALF for the French, and DSH, OSD, TELF, and TestDAF for the German language must be submitted. Note too that not all culinary schools require this.
There are no Minnesota state requirements to be employed in the culinary arts, besides basic food and kitchen safety knowledge.
A high school degree or GED is recommended before beginning one’s career. All food-serving establishments in Minnesota are required to have one Certified Food Manager (CMF) on staff, as ordered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This certification must be renewed every three years
Culinary schools in Minnesota
There are numerous Culinary Schools in Minnesota, below are examples of some of these schools with their admissions requirements, tuition fees, and program duration.
1. Southwest Minnesota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota. it is a small public college offering several disciplines along with the culinary program and is located in Marshall, Minnesota. The school was founded in 1963 and is presently offering bachelor’s degrees in Culinary Science and Culinology.
Culinology is an exciting degree program that blends the art and science of foods. Students are trained in a state-of-the-art culinary facility that includes a demonstration kitchen, restaurant kitchen, dining room, skills kitchen, and Culinology lab.
Coursework includes Food Chemistry and Analysis, Aromatics and Flavors, Food Sensory Analysis, and Technical and Functional Ingredients in Food. An internship experience is also offered to students, allowing them to gain professional work experience.
Southwest Minnesota State University’s tuition costs $6,986. The Scholarship and financial aid award cost $2,335.
2. Hennepin Technical College
Hennepin Technical College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota and a small public college offering many disciplines along with the culinary major and is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The college was opened in 1972 and is currently offering certificates and associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts.
The tuition of the school costs $ 4680. The Scholarship and financial aid award cost $991.
3. Hibbing Community College
Hibbing Community College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota and a very small public community college offering numerous disciplines including culinary majors and is located in Hibbing, Minnesota. This school is operating since 1916 and is presently offering certificates and associate’s degrees in 2 culinary programs.
Hibbing Community College offers a variety of culinary education programs for those just entering the field and for those who are ready to advance to more challenging positions. Hibbing students can learn their trade in a fast-paced environment which prepares them for the challenges they will face in an actual commercial kitchen.
Students practice and demonstrate their skills in a state-of-the-art kitchen laboratory. This top culinary school features a low faculty/student ratio and individualized attention. The 1 Year Diploma, 2 Year Diploma, and AAS Degree options provide students with the opportunity to select the program that best meets their professional needs.
The tuition fee of the school costs $4,729. The Scholarship and financial aid award cost $718.
4. Saint Paul College
Saint Paul College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota and a small public college offering numerous disciplines along with culinary programs and is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This school was founded in 1910 and is currently offering certificates and associate’s degrees in 2 culinary programs.
Saint Paul College features a culinary program accredited by the American Culinary Federation. The AAS Degree program has received exemplary status by the ACF, indicating exceptional educational standards.
Students learn to prepare both a la carte and banquet-style meals, as well as sanitation practices, cost control strategies, purchasing, and menu planning. Saint Paul College offers one of the largest variety of culinary certificates in the state, allowing students to obtain specialized training in focused areas.
Graduates are well prepared to work in a variety of career settings including hotels and restaurants, resorts, catering facilities, and health care facilities
The tuition fee of the school costs $4,815.The Scholarship and financial aid award cost $175.
5. South Central College
South Central College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota and a very small public college offering many disciplines along with culinary majors and located in North Mankato, Minnesota. This school was founded in 1946 and is presently offering certificates and associate’s degrees in 2 culinary programs.
South Central College is a top culinary school with an excellent reputation in the field. Students are taught by an accomplished chef who provides instruction in everything from menu planning to advanced culinary skills training. Students complete unique coursework such as butchery, sustainable foods, organic cooking, and hospitality nutrition.
SCC has a dining room and cafeteria which allows students to apply their knowledge and training in a real-world setting. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings including sports arenas, conference centers, hotels, and restaurants.
The tuition fee of the school costs $4,836. The Scholarship and financial aid award costs $695
6. Saint Cloud Technical and community college
St Cloud Technical and Community College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota and a small public community college offering several disciplines along with the culinary program and is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The college is operating since 1994 and is presently offering certificates and associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts.
St. Cloud Technical and Community College offers both an AAS and Diploma program in Culinary Arts. Students learn a variety of skills including menu planning, food presentation, financial planning, human resources, kitchen procedures, and recipe development.
The culinary arts organization, Skills USA, offers students the opportunity to participate in local and national culinary competitions to gain additional experience. Students enrolled in the diploma program complete coursework technical coursework specifically related to culinary arts, including a food service internship experience. The program can be completed in just one year.
The AAS program also includes an internship opportunity and offers additional coursework fulfilling general education requirements.
The tuition fee of the school costs $4,767. The Scholarship and financial aid award cost $547.
7. Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota and a small public college offering many disciplines along with the culinary program and is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school is operating since 1996 and is presently offering certificates in Culinary Arts.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is very inexpensive – the tuition fee is around $7,000 per year
8. Riverland Community College
Riverland Community College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota that offers a unique Certificate and AS degree in Food Service Technology. Students study the scientific makeup of foods to assess vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein. The certificate program can be completed in just one semester and includes coursework in food processing, food safety, sanitation, and food security.
Students who decide to further their education can continue to earn their AS degrees. Students study the science behind the processing and deterioration of foods to make them safe and healthy. Coursework also addresses the processes that transform raw foods into those that are consumed by the public.
Graduates of the AS degree program are prepared to work in the food industry in roles related to production, quality assurance, sanitation, and laboratory analysis.
9. Normandale Community College
The Food and Beverage Management Certificate program from Normandale Community College is an exciting culinary program for those interested in managing food and beverage establishments. It is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota.
Students learn a variety of skills including how to analyze recipes and menus, determine the cost, follow nutritional practices, and coordinate banquets and special events. Graduates are prepared to work as foodservice directors, catering managers, kitchen managers, or food service supervisors.
10. Central Lakes College
Central Lakes College is one of the culinary schools in Minnesota that offers a Culinary Arts Certificate culminating in the ServSafe Food Manager certificate. Completing the certificate requires completing 30 credits.
Coursework covers a variety of topics, including Baking Pastry Techniques, Culinary Math, and Spreadsheet Analysis, to name but two. A full 12 credits are earned by participating in an internship, allowing lots of opportunities for hands-on, real-world experience.
Best Culinary Schools in Minnesota – FAQs
What is the age requirement for culinary schools in Minnesota?
The average age of the school’s students is 28, and its yearlong programs in culinary or pastry arts are tight, focused, and fast-paced.