The Art Institute of Atlanta is one of The Art Institutes, a system of which comprises over 40 For-Profit Colleges located in major cities throughout North America, all owned and operated by Education Management Corporation. As of 2005, these 40 Art Institutes have graduated over 150,000 students, educating students in the creative and applied arts, including design, media, fashion, and culinary arts.

The Art Institute of Atlanta was founded in 1949 as Massey Business College, with diploma programs in basic business and secretarial skills. The school added liberal arts, fashion, and interior design during the next two decades. After becoming The Art Institute of Atlanta in 1975, the college shifted its focus to a creative applied arts curriculum. Accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools soon followed. In 1999, the college moved to its current location; a 5-story building in Sandy Springs and has since expanded to a second building across the street. In 2004, the school added Audio Production to their growing list of programs. The newest program, Fashion & Retail Management, was added in January 2007.

Atlanta is currently located at 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. in Atlanta, Georgia. The student body is numbers 3,200 as of fall 2007.

It awards associates and bachelor's degrees, including Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees, Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, and also offers diploma and non-degree programs.

The Culinary Institute in Atlanta

You can learn from instructors with a flair for fine dining when you enroll in the Culinary Arts program at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Located in the heart of the South's premier city for contemporary dining and entertainment, The Art Institute of Atlanta offers students hands-on training and experience amidst a bustling urban setting. Choose from the following programs, offered by The Art Institute of Atlanta, one of The Art Institutes SM, America's Leader in Creative Education:

• Culinary Arts - Baking & Pastry

• Culinary Arts

• Culinary Arts Management

• Wine Spirits & Beverage Management

The Benefits of Culinary Programs in Atlanta

The Art Institute of Atlanta combines natural beauty with suburban convenience and offers over 55 years of commitment and professional experience to its students. Located in a five-story, 115,000-square-foot facility, The Art Institute of Atlanta provides a sophisticated learning environment where you can hone your culinary skills. From fundamental cooking techniques to menu management, international cuisine to traditional classics, your culinary arts education can prepare you to launch a career in the exciting food industry.

Study in the heart of the Peach State and enjoy the immediacy of a vibrant restaurant, hotel, and convention mecca. From renowned barbecue spots to grits bars, Atlanta is home to fine dining establishments, small cafes specializing in regional cuisine, and most everything in-between. By combining your culinary school training with experience in local nightlife and cuisine, you can discover new tastes and pursue your career goals at the same time.

Reflecting the city's penchant for diversity and creativity, culinary arts programs at The Art Institute of Atlanta encourage you to discover your passions while developing fundamental skills you can use throughout your culinary career.

About the Diploma Programs (Baking and Pastry, Culinary Skills)

The Baking and Pastry program is a 49 quarter-credit course that focuses on the skills necessary for working in a bakery, including making breads, desserts, and cakes. This diploma program includes training in Serve-Safe sanitation and safety as well as job seeking skills. Graduates are typically ready to work in entry-level food service positions.

The Culinary Skills program is designed to give students the practical knowledge of techniques and procedures required to succeed in culinary arts. Taught by experienced culinary professionals, this program will guide students through topics such as choosing the correct knife to the proper use of specialized kitchen equipment. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as line cook and pantry cook.

About the Associates Degree in Culinary Arts Program

The Associates Degree in Culinary Arts is a 21-month program. It covers basic kitchen skills as well as international cuisine and restaurant management. It is rounded off with an externship at a food service facility in the surrounding greater Atlanta area.

About the AA in Wine, Spirits, and Beverage Management Program

The Associates Degree in Wine and Spirits covers the basics of the beverage side of running a successful restaurant or establishment. In addition to basic culinary techniques, the course includes bar supervision, food and wine pairings, and event management. Students must be 21 to participate in this course.

About the Bachelors Degree in Culinary Arts Management Program

The Culinary Management Bachelors degree focuses more on culinary skills related to running or managing a business. It includes courses on communication, leadership, human resources, marketing, food safety, and technology. The course includes a hands-on externship; otherwise, all instruction is provided in the classroom.

About the Bachelors Degree in Food and Beverage Management Program

The same distinctions are bestowed on graduates of the BS in Food and Beverage Management program. It focuses on teaching students the secrets of running both the kitchen and the bar of a successful restaurant. In addition to basic culinary skills, students learn the secrets of bar operation and control, general business management, and food and wine pairings. Like the AA in Wine and Spirits, this course requires a minimum age of 21.

Accreditation of the Institute

The Art Institute of Atlanta is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, granting it the authority to award Associate degrees, Bachelor degrees, and diplomas.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to those who qualify for federal or state assistance. The school employs several financial representatives to answer student questions or concerns on applying for loans and grants. Scholarship options can also be considered through this office.

Faculty

Faculty members at the International Culinary Institute are chosen for their experience in the culinary field. Because they are professionals with real work experience, they are able to bring more than just lecture and theory to the classroom. These same faculty members and professionals in the local industry periodically review the curriculum to ensure that students remain on the cutting edge of training and technology. Because post-graduation employment is the ultimate goal, the Art Institute prides itself on changing along with the current culinary market.

Facilities

Each student of the International Culinary Institute has access to state-of-the-art kitchen equipment. Modern techniques are taught alongside classical styles, and students are encouraged to explore their own unique methods. To increase the potential for hire after graduation, many skills focus on real-world skills.

Career Prospects after graduation from the Art Institute

The culinary arts are comprised of different trainings methods and each Atlanta culinary institute will teach them in customized courses. Starting from the fundamentals, students learn skills like proper handling of a knife, how to cut different ingredients and making basic preparations. There is training for regulation sanitation practices required in food preparation and also the use of various food processing equipment. The theory portion teaches everything from the nutritional value of food items to how to plan a menu. Most courses will have a specified time for lectures followed by hands-on practical approach in the training kitchens.

Atlanta culinary institute offers a lot of courses that will educate and in turn open up many career options. Attending an Atlanta culinary institute does not necessarily mean training to become a chef. Students may train to become a manager in restaurants or hotels, or aim for various positions in the food and beverage industry. The opportunities are vast and you’re quite likely to find a Atlanta culinary school that specializes in that particular aspect of training.

Accredited Atlanta culinary institute, having a good reputation, will showcase the best facilities and curriculum you can find in an Atlanta culinary institute as well as practice good safety standards including student insurance. Classrooms will have a low student to staff ratio so as to ensure proper training and adequate attention given to each student.

A certificate or degree from such an accredited institution has a high value in the job market and the person who has passed a course successfully has very good career prospects. If you have a love for the culinary arts and want to jump start your career, consider enrolling in one of the many Atlanta culinary schools.

Importance of Choosing the Right Culinary Arts School (ACS):

A few basic tips an individual needs to follow are mentioned below:

1. Accreditation by government bodies: This is the foremost and crucial step while selecting the best ACS. Check out the school’s accreditation.

2. Level of Courses: Individuals need to decide whether they want to enroll in short duration courses, diploma, certification courses or degree.

3. Peers ratings: Check from graduated friends about the teaching standards and overall quality of the particular ACS.

4. Affiliations with companies: An individual needs to see if the school provides any placements after completion of the courses. Some schools have hotels, so student need not have to search for job.

5. Strength of the students: Select the school having ample amount of international students. It enables them to get acquainted with diverse groups, which is useful in hospitality learning.

6. Competency of Teachers: Teachers need to be competent with strong experience levels. They help in creating better students.

7. Other facilities: Check the accommodations, transportation services, meals, free internet options and other facilities.

8. Location: The culinary school needs to be located at ideal place. It has to be readily accessible and free from any health concerns.

9. Practical Training: The best is the one which provides hands on training in popular restaurants. It also helps the students to earn a stipend during their vacation break.

10. Education costs: Check the fees structure of your possible culinary school. Compare the fees with other choices and choose the best.

For students looking to attend culinary arts college, there are several things to reckon ahead utilizing to a particular school. With recent popularity of television shows on stations like the Food Network, culinary schools get become selfsame popular. Bookmen are flocking to these schools, hoping to get the next souse chef or Iron Chef. For serious students, though, there are several primal genes to see before using to a culinary arts college. This article will assist to synopsis these factors, making the appendage of selecting a culinary school a little easier for prospective students.

Culinary arts schools must undergo examination culinary art colleges of their curriculum, student-teacher ratios, teacher qualifications, and an examination of their facilities ahead they may experience accreditation. For culinary arts schools, it luxury hotels in Cape Town is the American Culinary Federation which conducts this examination and determines whether or not a school is checked for serving students. This is a long appendage for many schools, and its achievement is recognized equally a major accomplishment. Exist surely that your prospective school has culinary art schools an ACF Certification before utilizing for admission.

Unfortunately, a lot of culinary arts schools are very expensive, particularly if they are specialty schools. However, there are some that are not thus expensive, and bookmen can often have scholarships to attend the school. Price must be a factor to regard when choosing the properly culinary arts college for you. If you accept away loans for college, exist certainly that you may afford to wage them back later graduation.

So if you wish to get a job in the field of culinary, then you should be ready for thorough searching for the best art culinary school and go ahead to your dream. Take into consideration all above mentioned tips, and your future life will be successful and happy.