One of the first things you should do in any ethnic cooking school is to learn all the basic ingredients -- especially herbs and spices -- that characterize a particular cuisine, and which ones should always be present in your pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.

A good cooking school is more than just a place to learn how to cook -- it's a community resource. If you're in need of a good caterer, a chef, a student cook, or any other culinary subject, consult the local cooking school for candidates and pointers.

If you're interested solely in baking but don't want to bother with a generalized degree, check your cooking school options for a baking curriculum. If you can't find one, don't despair -- there are actually baking schools out there that specialize completely in breads, pastries, and cakes.