Even in you don't plan for a career in the culinary arts, that doesn't mean you can't go to cooking school. It's a great way to learn to cook better for yourself, your family, and your friends, and if you've never cooked before, you'll be a cooking whiz by the time you graduate.

If you can imagine a specific cuisine, there's certainly a cooking school for it -- but be sure you know exactly what you're looking for. A school that teaches Italian cooking, for example, might not offer Tuscany cuisine, and it's doubtful you'll learn the finer arts of Cajun cuisine at a French cooking school.

Even if you can't find a cooking school in your local area, don't give up -- you might be able to find a cooking school online. Some of them will involve regular classes just like you'd get in a real cooking school, though some will be a good bit simpler -- though the latter are often free.