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Find culinary inspiration and helpful career information on topics such as cooking with chocolate, French and Greek cuisine, the life of a Chef, and what to expect in culinary school.
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Does your sweet tooth lead you straight to your oven? Read how to avoid the pitfalls of cheese cake, bake creative cookies, use fresh fruits in baking, and more.
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If you've ever prepared a Thanksgiving dinner, you know that cooking for a group takes planning and skill. Learn more about the art of catering and restaurant management, including specialized catering such as chocolates or high tea and how to prepare for a restaurant career.
Culinary Schools in the United States
With culinary schools in all 50 states and additional culinary education available online, you don't need to relocate unless you want to. Each state has its own special mixture of culture, cuisine, and locally grown agriculture that inspires the chefs and students who work and live there. If you're passionate about Maine lobster dishes, California cuisine, or any dish or state in between, you'll find a culinary school that is where you are or where you'd like to be.
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Home | Culinary | Culinary Schools in the United States | Washington D.C.--Cooking for the Capital Elite

Washington D.C.--Cooking for the Capital Elite


Washington D.C. can be an exciting place to launch your culinary career. The city abounds with reputable culinary arts institutes, and a constant influx of tourists means many customers for hotels, restaurants, and other eateries. Washington D.C. is still primarily a Southern city (just south of the Mason-Dixon line,) but its popular barbecue joints jostle for position next to top-notch Lebanese, Ethiopian and other ethnic restaurants, catering to Washington D.C.'s steady stream of international visitors and residents.

Living in Washington D.C. can be a challenge--the cost of living is more than 30 percent higher than the national average. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports mean 2007 annual wages of $51,320 for chefs and head cooks, making D.C. one of the top-paying culinary environments in the U.S. To really beat the system, many people live in nearby Virginia or Maryland and use Washington D.C.'s vast Metro network for an easy commute into the District. Maryland's cost of living is 10 percent lower than Washington D.C. Virginia, has a cost of living only 5 percent lower than the U.S. average, which can help chefs stretch their dollars earned in Washington D.C. even farther.

Why Obtain Chef Training in Washington D.C.?

One major advantage of working or training in Washington D.C. comes from exposure to many different cultures and cuisines. And there's no shortage of fine dining restaurants to keep all of those politicians and ambassadors happy. Lots of caterers are needed at swanky private parties for visiting dignitaries. With the city's extremely high numbers of tourists and business and political travelers, the local hospitality industry is humming.