Programs offer studies at all levels: diploma and certificate, associate degree, bachelor degree, and master degree. Aspiring restaurant managers will find programs under titles such as culinary management, hospitality management, and hotel and restaurant management. Gibbs College in Livingston, New Jersey, for example, offers an associate degree program in hospitality management. The Art Institute of Houston offers a bachelor of science in culinary management and an associate of applied science in restaurant and catering management.

Students hoping to work in the kitchen of a restaurant will find a variety of food preparation programs, the most common of which are culinary arts and baking and pastry. Certificates in both are offers by San Diego Culinary Institute, while Johnson and Wales University offers bachelor degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, and food nutrition.

Selecting the right program, however, depends on the time a student wants to invest in an education and the students' career goals. A certificate in basic culinary arts can be earned in several weeks, while a bachelor degree typically takes four years to complete. Students who are looking for entry-level cooking work might consider a diploma or certificate, while students interested in an executive chef or management position would be wise to get as much education as possible. Certainly, more education means more options.

One consideration students might keep in mind is the opportunity for externships. An externship is often required of students in some programs, but is a good idea for any student anxious to break into the restaurant industry. An externship gives students a chance to put their classroom skills to the test and gain hands-on, real world experience. Time spent in a real restaurant can help a student gauge their interest in the career, and also looks fantastic on a resume.

All this training has to be paid for somehow. Tuition costs vary widely, depending on the length of the program and the type of school. The Culinary Institute of America, for example, is $10,150 per semester during the freshman and sophomore years, and $9,100 per semester for the junior and senior years*. Louisiana Culinary Institute charges tuition and fees of $15,100 for the entire program.

Fortunately, there is quite a bit of financial aid available to help students cover these costs. We offes a list of scholarships on our page "Restaurant Financial Aid & Scholarships," and financial assistance is also available from federal and state government sources.

All forms of government aid use one application: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Aid sources include Stafford, Perkins, and PLUS loans, Pell grants, and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. Many states offer their own loan and grant programs, as well.

*Cost reflects tuition only, effective August 1, 2006

In 2004, chefs, cooks, and other food preparers accounted for approximately 3.1 million positions. Two-thirds were employed in restaurants, diners, bars, and other dining establishments. One-fifth were employed by institutional facilities, such as nursing homes, schools, and hospitals. Restaurant managers held approximately $371,000 positions.

The outlook for future employment is bright. The restaurant industry had sales exceeding $511 billion in 2005, and that number is forecasted for significant increases through the coming years. Job openings in restaurants are expected to be numerous, and job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is expected to be as fast as average, or approximately 9-17%, through 2014.

Salaries in the restaurant industry vary by position. The median salary for food service managers was $39,610 in May 2004, with those in the top positions earning more than $68,000 annually. The median wage for chefs and head cooks was $14.75 per hour, while hourly wages for top chefs topped $26.75. Restaurant cooks earned a median wage of $9.39 per hour, while the median wage of food preparation workers was $8.03.

Options for those yearning to get in on the action in today's hottest restaurants are numerous. Once a prospective student has selected the best program for them, the education is exciting and fun. After graduation, the career opportunities are endless.