Need information about Schools/Degrees in Southern California

[vanguard]

Hi, I had a couple questions. I am trying to decide between LA Trade Technical College or Kitchen Academy. LA Trade Tech is a 2 year program which I can get an AA Degree in Culinary Arts plus it's a community college so it will cost less and the Kitchen Academy offers a 7 month program which offers a Culinary Arts Diploma which will cost about $20,000. My question is; will there be a difference between the AA Degree in Culinary Arts and a Culinary Arts Diploma for my goal? I am hopefully trying to become an Executive Chef or similar. I also was wondering if anyone has graduated from or has any info on Kitchen Academy or LA Trade Tech.

Thanks in advance

[RAS1187]

Go for the AA, definitely. It is an accredited degree that is something more tangible to lean on then a "certificate". (though even then, it still is not worth a whole lot in the industry)

Any "diploma" or "certificate" in culinary arts is next to worthless, and what a rip they are charging $20,000 for it. Pay me 20k and I will print out a certificate stating that you completed the culinary arts program at the RAS Institute of Cooking

I can't comment on the schools, as I've never been to either. Good luck on that Exec. Chef goal, the closer you get to it, the farther off you realize you are. Don't lose sight.