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If you’re a busy parent or full-time employee considering culinary school, you’re probably wondering how you could possibly fit it into your packed schedule. Before you give up on your culinary dreams, consider online culinary school!
The online programs at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts can provide students with both a great education and maximum flexibility. While online culinary school is a proven system, people often wonder what the daily schedule will look like.
A week at Escoffier runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, but every day won’t be the same. To get an idea of what you can expect, we’re going to join online student “Emily” on a typical day as she works through her program.
Emily is a busy mom with three kids in school and a part-time job, looking to make a career change. Let’s see what a day as an online culinary student could look like for her.
Morning
Like most busy parents, Emily and her husband’s morning is a bustle of making breakfast, finding homework, and tying shoelaces. But once the kids are out of the house and her husband has left for work, Emily can focus on her personal tasks.
First, she sends an email to Career Services at Escoffier. They are helping her polish her resume so she can start applying for externships to get hands-on training at a business she’s interested in. Emily is looking for an externship at a local catering company because she plans to start her own catering business.
Next, Emily heads to the grocery store to shop for the week ahead. She picks up supplies for her family’s meals and all the ingredients she’ll need for her next cooking assignment.
While she’s waiting in the checkout line, she pulls out her phone to check the Escoffier discussion board and share her thoughts with her online classmates. There was some debate yesterday about the best egg substitutes, and she wants to see what the results were.
After shopping, Emily does some cleaning and starts laundry, so she’ll be free for classwork in the afternoon.
Mid-Day
After catching up on household chores, Emily makes a quick lunch and logs on to her computer. She already completed her assigned reading for the week, so she takes the opportunity to re-watch the demo video from the Chef Instructor while eating lunch. Emily knows that the cooking assignment for this week will use a technique from the video, so she wants to see it again before she tries it herself.
While at her computer, she receives a response from Career Services. Her representative has made a few suggestions on her resume and asked Emily to start collecting her favorite photos from her cooking assignments. These photos will be put in a portfolio that she can use in the externship application process.
Online culinary school assignments can be flexible to fit into your schedule.
Afternoon
After lunch, Emily attends her second weekly live session with her classmates. Today’s session includes the Chef’s demonstration of related techniques to underscore the course materials that Emily has previously studied. Emily interacts with her classmates in the live session chat, and when the Chef Instructor finishes the demo, Emily chimes in to make sure she understands the different types of pans that can be used for the assignment, so that she can decide which piece of equipment will work best for her.
Although the week’s cooking assignment—slow roasted lamb shoulder—isn’t due for a few days, Emily decides to complete it that day. She has to work at her part-time job for the next two days, so she knows she needs to complete the assignment in advance.
A flavorful slow roasted lamb dish.
Since she has some free time before her family gets home, Emily starts by sanitizing her work area and starting her mise en place. She preps vegetables, including carrots, celery, and garlic, as well as potatoes that she holds in water to prevent them from oxidizing until she’s ready to cook. Emily pays attention to her recipes, making sure to snap the photo requirements for this week’s assignment while she works. She also trims excess fat off the lamb shoulder so it’s ready for cooking.
Emily likes to incorporate her cooking assignments into her family’s dinners so she can make her work do double duty. Her family appreciates tasting new dishes and watching Emily’s progress, and she values the real-time feedback from her husband and children.
As she works her way through her production sheet and snaps more photos of her progress, she realizes that she has a question about one of the techniques that she’ll need when she starts cooking. So she pings her Chef Instructor in the online classroom for clarification.
Late Afternoon
With basic prep complete, Emily picks up the kids from school and heads home. When she returns home, she finds a reply from her Chef Instructor*, who has sent a link to a video that helps further emphasize his message.
Once the kids are settled in with homework and a snack, it’s time to start cooking!
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
How do online students taste and critique their own food, while showcasing their skills and techniques?
Evening
While Emily cooks her way through her assignment, she documents the process by taking pictures on her phone and writing notes about the cooking process. As part of submitting her work, she’ll need to write a summary of her process and results. Her notes will help her to complete the written critical thinking narrative later when she analyzes what went well and what her challenges were.
When the lamb is ready, the family gathers to eat and chat. Emily takes a few notes over dinner including her thoughts and feedback from the family. She assesses the texture, appearance, and flavor of the dish with the help of the Escoffier flavor wheel.
After dinner, Emily completes her summary of the assignment and uploads her documentation and photos for grading while her husband cleans up the kitchen. She makes sure to include insightful descriptions and notes on the texture of the vegetables and the tenderness of the meat.
Within a couple of days, she’ll receive video feedback from her Chef Instructor on what went right and what she can improve on next time.
The Schedule of an Online Student
A daytime schedule like Emily follows can work well for a busy parent or someone with a night job. But you can see how online culinary school can fit into the pockets of time throughout your normal daily schedule.
Even students with full-time jobs or parents managing busy family schedules can complete online culinary school in the evenings and on weekends or anytime that works for each individual student throughout the academic week. Faculty often provide guidance on when to schedule tasks like reading, watching videos, and completing assignments to help students stay on track with weekly requirements.
All courses include multiple “real-time” sessions each week, but attendance isn’t required in these Live Sessions if the student has a schedule conflict. Although it’s highly recommended that students attend those sessions in person for the live Q&A, students can watch the recording later if necessary, and reach out to their faculty member individually for their own Q&A. Faculty can be available for 1:1 appointments, and also readily communicate with students by text, email, and phone so that students always feel supported in their studies.
In terms of time commitment from students, we recommend planning around 15-23 hours per week for school-related activities depending on program, credential and personal pace. Students from all walks of life can make online culinary school work with their busy schedules.
FAQs About Online Culinary School
How much time do I need to dedicate to online culinary school each week?
Students should plan to spend about 15-23 hours per week on school-related activities. This includes reading, watching videos, completing assignments, attending (or watching) live sessions, and communicating with Chef Instructors.
Do I have to attend live sessions at a set time?
While Escoffier offers multiple live sessions each week for real-time interaction and Q&A, attendance is not mandatory. Sessions are recorded for students who cannot attend, and instructors can be available for one-on-one follow-up support if needed.
Can I complete assignments at my own pace?
Each course week runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, providing students with flexibility to complete assignments when it works best for their schedule. However, all work must be submitted by the deadlines set in each course.
Will I get feedback on my cooking assignments?
Yes! Chef Instructors provide detailed feedback through videos and written comments. Students are encouraged to ask questions and seek additional support to improve their skills.
Is career support available during the program?
Absolutely. Escoffier’s Career Services team assists students with resumes, externship and job search assistance, career advice, and portfolio development. They can continue to offer support even after graduation.
Do I need special equipment or ingredients?
Upon enrollment, students receive a standard toolkit that includes utensils, tools, and a chef’s uniform tailored to their specific program. This starter kit provides many of the essentials needed to begin a professional culinary education from home. Students will also be responsible for purchasing ingredients and may need to supplement their kit with additional kitchen items as needed for assignments.
Is financial aid available for online programs?
Financial aid is available to students who apply and qualify.
Your Culinary Journey Can Start from Home
Pursuing a culinary education doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold. Whether you’re working full time, caring for a family, or juggling both, Escoffier’s online programs can offer the structure, support, and flexibility to help you succeed. With dedicated Chef Instructors, career support, and real-world assignments you can complete from your own kitchen, you don’t have to wait for the perfect time to begin. You just have to take the first step.
To find out more about online culinary degrees & diplomas, baking & pastry school, and Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, and Holistic Nutrition & Wellness programs at Escoffier, explore our online resources. And feel free to contact us to discuss admissions, financial aid, and more!
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This article was originally published on September 14, 2020, and has since been updated.
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
