The French Culinary Institute - New York, New York
Some consider New York City to be one of the top food cities in the world. A must visit if you are a "foodie" who wants to experience dining nirvana. And what better place to go to cooking school.
Below is some basic information about the French Culinary Institute and its programs, but if you really want to learn more, you should fill out the short questionnaire by clicking here and someone will contact you to talk about how to apply, time requirements, costs and just about anything else you may need to know.
The French Culinary Institute
462 Broadway
New York, NY 10013-2618
Why Choose The French Culinary Institute
Another of the big names in New York culinary schools is The French Culinary Institute. A lot of its world wide acclaim has to do with its distinguished faculty including master chefs Jacques Pépin, André Soltner, Jacques Torres and Alain Sailhac. Add to this list Master Sommelier 
Andrea Immer and award winning journalist, Alan Richman and newcomer Cesare Casella to head up the Italian studies program and you have a force to be reckon with.
The school has been in operation for over 22 years so they know what they are doing. It is considered one of the premier culinary arts schools because of many factors including:
Low student to teacher ratio so you can get your instructors attention as well as they get yours.
Great facilities with all the latest equipment
World renowned chef instructors demanding your best
A guided, well thought out curriculum developed by some of the most creative and respected chefs in the world.
French Culinary Institute Programs
CAREER COURSES
Designed for students who want to become head chefs, own your own restaurant, have your own catering business or work in the media in a food related nature. It is intensive, rigorous Total ImmersionSM hands-on learning program designed to get you into the food service industry in 
a hurry with the skills necessary to succeed in a very competitive market.
Classic Culinary Arts
Developed by cooking legends like Jacques Pépin, André Soltner and Alain Sailhac, this 6 or 9 month immersion program starts with the basics to build a foundation and continues to expand on those basics to develop the skills necessary to pursue a productive career.
Classic Pastry Arts
Designed by Master Pastry Chef Jacques Torres, this classic pastry arts program will educate you in the major elements of preparing fine pastry. You'll have hands-on training in the chemistry of chocolate, theatrical sugar skills and how to make incredible pastry presentations. You will learn, and practice your baking techniques under the watchful eye of their highly regarded chef instructors.
Art of International Bread Baking
An 8-week course to learn the artistry of bread making. You get to work with a master baker to learn the skills to become one yourself. The program will get into bread making from Italy, France and Germany where you'll learn the basics and theory.
Italian Studies Courses
Italian Culinary Experience
This 29-week program divides your time between the New York campus and Parma, Italy where you will learn Italian cuisine by living it. It is a one-of-a-kind cooking course developed by Cesare Casella, the renowned chef of Maremma restaurant in New York City.
It breaks down to 10-weeks in NYC to learn Italian cuisine, cooking terms, culture, techniques and language. Your next 9-weeks are in Italy at the International School of Italian Cuisine. You'll also have a 9-week externship working at a highly regarded Italian restaurant and finish up with a week in New York cooking for family and friends, study kitchen management and take your final exam.
Continuing Education Courses
Created for individuals who may not want to become professional chefs but do want to elevate their cooking skills. You might even want to learn restaurant management so you can open a restaurant or cafe and hire a chef. Then there are course for those of you who want to learn more about the fundamentals of wine. Lastly, there is a course on food writing that maybe I should go take.
Fundamentals of Wine
Designed by Andrea Robinson, this course will teach you about merchandising wine. There are in-depth wine tastings that will show you how to use your senses to select and appreciate wine, distinguish what you like and don't like, discover value when buying and train others to do the same.
Restaurant Management
If you ever thought about opening a restaurant, catering business or any culinary business, you'll want to take this class to learn what it's all about. Learn by some of Manhattan's top restaurateurs along with professors from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration how to develop a business plan and get your business running smoothly.
Craft of Food Writing
Designed by Alan Richman, an award winning food writer, to hone your culinary writing skills. You'll have the opportunity to write about various meals and receive feedback on how to improve your writing. Unless you plan to write about food as a hobby like I do for this web site, it's a good idea to get some experience in the food writing business. This course gives you that.
Going to School in New york city
New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It abounds with museums and galleries, shopping and sight-seeing. It is the site of world-famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It is the home of Columbia University and New York University and a world-renowned center of finance and commerce. At its heart is the 843 acre Central Park where visitors can go ice skating, take a carriage ride, visit the zoo, and enjoy a snack or a formal dinner at one of the many dining establishments.
New York City is located on the island of Manhattan on the banks of the Hudson River in the southeast corner of New York State. It is surrounded by its equally well-known boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island and is connected by bridges and tunnels to New Jersey to the west.
New York City is a destination that enchants millions of tourists each year. To live, to work, or to go to school in New York City is an adventure and a learning experience that will last a lifetime.
What Do You Need To Know to Get Into Culinary School?
As the Reluctant Gourmet, I have never been to cooking school, but I keep telling myself it's never too late. The best way for you to learn more about becoming a chef is to visit my new Culinary School Resource Center. Here you will find articles, books, school resources and many other useful resources.
Also, try reading as much as you can about going to cooking school and what it is like to be a professional chef. One book I highly recommend to anyone thinking about culinary school is, The Making of A Chef, by Michael Ruhlman. It will really help you understand what you may be getting yourself into. For a complete list of Books For Cooks.
