The lobster in Maine is good enough to make you live there and for others, it’s a good enough reason to learn how to become a chef there too. If you’re looking for great culinary schools in Maine, you will find plenty. Most are located in the southern region of the state and the best technical schools are in Bangor and Portland. Culinary schools in Maine are purposely situated around culinary hotspots that have been featured in films and magazines. The food heritage is legendary and the local culture is buzzing. However, before you fill out an application form, it’s wise to know which training institutions are the best and which ones are more apt to help you meet your career goals.
Be wary about applying for Maine culinary schools without accreditation. You should always make sure that you’re enrolling to receive quality training and any school that receives a nod from the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission is worth considering.
Depending on your career ambitions in the food industry, you should also compare school curriculums and the length of each program.
Students who are eager to work as early as possible and are looking for quick entry into the job circuit benefit from diplomas, certificate and associate degrees offered at technical and community colleges. These colleges often cover subjects such as:
- Cooking and baking principles and methods
- Hospitality management
- Culinary management
- Knife skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Local cuisine
If you would like to become a chef, line chef, professional cook, caterer, restaurateur, food entrepreneur, manager, consultant, instructor, pastry chef and other specialized occupations, it is advisable to enroll for associate and bachelor degrees that are usually offered at universities, institutes, community and technical colleges. These programs are normally 2-4 years long and include subjects like:
- Food purchasing
- Food cost control
- Menu planning
- Local and international cuisine
- Hospitality institution administration and management
- Restaurant management
- Nutrition and dietetics
- Entrepreneurship
Culinary Schools in Maine where you can receive all levels of qualification:
- University of Maine
- Central Maine Technical college
- Beal College in Bangor
- Eastern Maine Technical college
- Southern Maine Community college
- Thomas College
- York County Community College
- Washington County Technical college
An education alone might not be enough to land you the job of your dreams, which is why it is important to supplement your studies with networking and making the most of the opportunities that your school, local festivals and associations offer. Attending and taking part in festivals like the Yarmouth Clam festival, the Maine Lobster fest, Annual Chilli Fest, Harvest on the Harbour Food and Wine fest, Maine Fair and Maine Restaurant Week will increase your chances of being at the right place at the right time, with the right people. By participating, you can improve career prospects by chatting with local chefs, knowing customers, being informed about opportunities and learning more about local and international cuisine from the best.
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