A cooking school or culinary school is an institution devoted to education in the art and science of food preparation. It also awards degrees which indicate that a student has undergone a particular curriculum and therefore displays a certain level of competency. Cooking schools are often associated with public restaurants where a student can acquire experience in working in a real environment and perform in many roles.

Some schools, such as the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu, offer programs through which a chef may demonstrate his or her knowledge and skills and be given certification. Others, such as Baltimore International College, Stratford University, or Johnson and Wales University, offer programs whereby students gain either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. There are also a few, such as Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, or Manchester Community College in Connecticut, where students receive upon graduation not only an Associate’s degree but also certification by the American Culinary Federation, the largest professional chefs’ organization in North America.

Culinary art is the art of preparing and cooking foods. The word “culinary” is defined as something related to, or connected with, cooking. A culinarion is a person working in the culinary arts. A culinarian working in restaurants is commonly known as a cook or a chef. Culinary artists are responsible for skilfully preparing meals that are as pleasing to the palate as to the eye. Increasingly they are required to have a knowledge of the science of food and an understanding of diet and nutrition. They work primarily in restaurants, delicatessens, hospitals and other institutions. Kitchen conditions vary depending on the type of business, restaurant, nursing home, etc.