Going to Johnson & Wales University

Posted September 1, 2009 By Shawn Woods

Question:

Dear Chef Shawn,
My name is Nancy and I have been accepted to Johnson & Wales University and will be beginning classes this fall. I have been working as a prep cook at a local restaurant for about 6 months now, nothing fancy but I get the chance to work on some of my basic knife skills. So I am thinking that this is a big plus and will help get me ready for my culinary arts training that I am about to began but I was wondering if there was anything that you could recommend to help me get started? I really want to start classes with a leg up.

Thank You,
Nancy

Answer:

Hi Nancy first Johnson & Wales University is one of the best culinary arts programs and I commend you on your good taste. (Ok, maybe I am a little bias since that is where I graduate) Anyways, working the industry is always a plus and working with knives is the only way to improve your skills. So you are on the right track but here are a few more things that can help you get a little ahead when you had of to JWU.

[ad#ad-block-1]The first thing that you will want to do is pick up a few books culinary arts reference books. When you get to Johnson & Wales University you will be given a set of books for your classes but these ones that I am recommending will be invaluable to your getting a leg up and you will also be using these while you are taking classes. The first on that you will want is the Food Lover’s Companion this like a culinary arts dictionary and you will use it a lot. Next, you should look into either On Cooking or The Professional Chef both of these are written like culinary arts text book but better. I cannot stress how important these books are to getting that leg up you are looking for, they are some of the best materials that you can get.

I also recommend to any incoming culinary arts student out there whether you are going to Johnson & Wales University or any other culinary arts school is that you are going to be spending a lot of money to learn, take advantage never will you have the wealth of knowledge at your disposal like you will when you are attending classes. Take the time pick you instructors brains try and learn everything that you can.

Well I wish you the best of luck Nancy, enjoy your time at Johnson & Wales University.

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