Culinary School Classes: Why the Classroom and Kitchen Beats the Internet

The internet has redefined how we do practically everything. From banking and shopping to music and movies, even education. With virtual technology and online communication tools, you can learn just about anything from just about anywhere. In many cases this is making education more affordable and more accessible than ever before. While the opportunities that advancing technology continues to create should not be ignored, it is also very important to realize that online learning may not always be the best option. Depending on the field of study, a computer screen simply can’t provide what a hands-on, in person, learning environment can. This is especially true when it comes to culinary school, and here’s why.

Culinary arts are quite literally, and obviously, an art form. Substituting a kitchen setting for keystrokes simply doesn’t compare. Learning techniques like knife skills and how commercial kitchens operate from professional chefs are essential lessons that will be the foundation of your career. Nothing can replicate the human interaction that is the cornerstone of classroom learning; from personal guidance and instruction to the contextual interpretation that gets lost in translation when you learn remotely, the intangible aspects of attending class in person are invaluable.

While networking is critical in any field, in the hospitality and food service industry, it is vital. Your time spent in culinary school will not only be a defining time in your life as you gather the skills, experience, and knowledge that you’ll need as a professional, but the friendships you’ll make, and the networking opportunities you’ll have will be priceless. Louisiana Culinary Institute has a massive alumni network throughout the country, and one of the biggest things that these chefs takeaway from their time at LCI is the friendships and relationships that they made.

Self-direction is a key ingredient to pursuing an on-line degree. While it is an essential skill for all students, online classes require that you take full control of everything from course management, to setbacks, to challenges. There are safeguards and additional resources built into a traditional classroom setting.

Louisiana Culinary Institute is a 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring three demonstration labs, spacious classrooms, a full-service kitchen, amphitheater, and media center . These resources along with a dedicated faculty and staff, provide everything needed to launch a successful culinary career.