Culinary School?

I want to go to culinary school straight out of high school. What's it like? Is it tuff to get admitted? Is is as stressful as it seems? Where did you go? Where can you get a good culinary education without breaking the bank? What is the job market like... I live in Southern CA. Pastry VS Culinary arts?

Public Comments

1. I am not a chef, but I have done some reading on the topic. I think the lifestyle is tough especially if you work at a "first-class" restuarant (NYC 3+ star establishment). It takes long hours (10-12 hours per day, 6 days per week) and always on your feet. I think there is definitely a lot of stress to keep up with crush of patrons. To find out more I would suggest reading the following books: The Making of a Chef by Micahel Ruhlman Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain The former is about going to culinary school. The latter talks a lot about what a career in the food industry is like (among other things).