Becoming a Professional Chef: The Benefits of a Double Culinary Major
Editor's note: This post was originally published on October 22, 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance.
If you're serious about becoming a professional chef, you likely already know the essential ingredients: passion, hands-on experience, and a strong culinary education. But in today’s competitive culinary industry, a single area of expertise may no longer be enough. That’s where a double culinary major can help you stand out.
Whether your goal is to work in fine dining, run a boutique bakery, or manage a hospitality business, earning two degrees can dramatically enhance your culinary skills, adaptability, and long-term career potential.
What Is a Double Culinary Major?
A double culinary major involves completing two complementary culinary programs—such as Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry, or Culinary Arts and Hospitality & Culinary Management. Rather than starting from scratch, students can often apply overlapping credits and complete both programs in an accelerated timeline.
At institutions like Louisiana Culinary Institute, students have the opportunity to complete a second program shortly after finishing the first—allowing them to graduate with an expanded skillset in less time than pursuing each degree independently.
4 Reasons to Consider a Double Major in Culinary School
1. Broaden Your Skill Set
Each culinary concentration brings its own techniques, tools, and traditions. By earning two degrees, you gain exposure to a wider range of culinary disciplines—everything from advanced cooking methods to precision baking and kitchen leadership. This diversity strengthens your foundation and increases your versatility in professional kitchens.
2. Enhance Your Career Flexibility
With dual expertise, your career paths open exponentially. Want to shift from executive chef to pastry consultant? Thinking about managing a culinary business in the future? A double major gives you the credentials and confidence to pivot into new roles and specialties as opportunities arise.
3. Increase Your Marketability
Employers value chefs who can bring multiple skills to the table. Having both culinary arts and baking & pastry training—or pairing culinary education with management—signals that you're ready to handle a wide range of responsibilities. This can give you a competitive edge when applying to top-tier restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups.
4. Complete a Double Major in Less Time
One of the biggest benefits of completing a double culinary major at schools like Louisiana Culinary Institute is the streamlined timeline. With transferable credits and program continuity, students can add a second degree with minimal additional time or cost. The return on investment is a higher-value education and a standout résumé.
Is a Double Culinary Major Right for You?
If you're passionate about food, eager to grow in multiple directions, and motivated to lead in the culinary field, pursuing a double major could be one of the smartest moves you make. It requires commitment—but the payoff is a richer, more flexible career.
Many culinary students enter the workforce as soon as they graduate. But those who take the extra step to deepen their education often find that it opens doors faster and wider. With dual credentials, you're not just job-ready—you’re future-ready.
Explore dual-degree options at
Louisiana Culinary Institute and find out how you can earn more than just a diploma—you can earn a competitive edge.
