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Virginia's Cooking Schools Connect Students to History

by Joe Taylor Jr.
joe.taylor@culinaryartsschoolreview.com
Culinary Arts School Review Columnist

Virginia is known as one of the birthplaces of American history. Several American presidents have called Virginia home, and its rich Colonial heritage and natural beauty have drawn tourists and residents for centuries. From the suburbs of Washington, DC, to rural towns in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia offers a rich selection of places to live and work.

The culinary heritage of Virginia started in the early 1800s, when Mary Randolph published The Virginia Housewife, often believed to be the first truly American cookbook. Her recipes, including Catfish Soup and Chicken Pudding, are the foundation of Virginia’s Southern home cooking. But Virginia has also become known for its centuries-old wineries, weekend culinary experiences, and many cooking schools, all of which provide excellent opportunities for people interested in a culinary career or a culinary degree.

Virginia Offers More than Just Culinary Degrees

Graduates of Virginia’s nine cooking schools can find a wide range of jobs in Virginia. Outstanding restaurants in the state’s larger cities, such as Richmond and Charlottesville, offer great opportunities for restaurant management jobs and chef work. Virginia’s roads are dotted with diners, and some bed and breakfasts offer weekend-long cooking experiences for tourists, an excellent opportunity to practice cooking and teaching.

Virginia offers small-town experiences amongst gorgeous mountains and urban living outside the nation’s capital. Pursuing a culinary degree from one of Virginia’s cooking schools will allow you to live almost anywhere in the state, and your degree will help you find a good job in restaurant management or cooking in Virginia. Whether you attend one of these cooking schools to earn a certificate, or for a culinary degree, Virginia’s options will suit any taste.

Sources:

The Historic American Cookbook Project
Virginia Tourism - Virginia Diners = An American Experience
Virginia Tourism - Dining

About the Author

Joe Taylor Jr. coaches musicians, entrepreneurs, and other adults that want to shift their careers. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College.

Posted on July 7, 2006 at 11:17 AM