Washington DC, also known as the District of Columbia, is not just the center of politics in the United States. It is also home to some of the country’s best restaurants, including Founding Farmers DC, Mike’s American Grill, and Zaytinya. These restaurants serve the 646,000 people who live in Washington DC, as well as the many tourists that come through every year.
The cost of living in Washington DC is approximately 43% higher than the national average. This may be due to the huge amount of government agencies and organizations in the region, which make it a more desirable place to live.
While there are no traditional, brick-and-mortar culinary schools in Washington DC, you can still get a great education while living in this area. You may be able to attend culinary school in a nearby state or attend an online culinary school, which allows you to study and attend classes wherever you live.
As a culinary student, you have to decide what kind of degree or certificate you want to earn. A certificate is only one year, and it is best suited for those who already have some experience in the culinary field. An Associate’s degree gives a more in-depth education, and you need at least two years of full-time schooling. If you earn a Bachelor’s degree, you can expect to spend four years in school as a full-time student.
Culinary arts programs in Washington cover a variety of fields. You learn how to cook, both savory foods and desserts, although the focus tends to be on savory foods. You also figure out how to run a kitchen, how to time dishes, and how to prepare food safely. In fact, food safety may be one of the most important topics in culinary school. This is because food safety laws must be followed at all times, or you can end up with a fine or citation.
There are many prominent culinary employers in Washington DC, including Guckenheimer, EHS Hospitality Group, and Chartwells. It is clear that there are many ways you can use your culinary degree. Restaurants are the most common work environment for chefs, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 46% of chefs work in restaurants. However, you may also be able to work as a catering chef or private chef.
There are self-employment opportunities for business-minded chefs. You can work as an independent private chef, own your own catering company, or open up a restaurant.
Washington DC does not have any laws requiring the licensure or certification of chefs. There are also no national requirements to be met. While there are no certification requirements for chefs, you can pursue certification through a third party. The American Culinary Federation offers different types of certification that can boost your credibility.
There are many different ways to improve your earning potential as a chef. First, the more experience you get, the higher your earning potential can be. You can also earn more as you gain seniority at your current workplace.
The average salary for a cook in Washington DC is $28,300 per year (O*Net, 2012). Chefs earn an average annual salary of $53,700 per year (O*Net, 2012).
In general, the job outlook for culinary professionals in Washington DC is similar to national averages. The demand for chefs is not expected to change much between 2010 and 2020 (O*Net, 2010). However, job openings for cooks are expected to increase by 13% in that time period (O*Net, 2010).