Ive decided...

[Antoninus]

What I want to do with my life, what I want to do career wise.

I want to go to confectionary school and learn how to make candy, maybe get involved in the industry.

My one problem is I dont know of any confectionary schools or schools with a confectionary program in them.

[mucgwyrt]

Wow. Um... write to Hersheys?

[WitchJezebel]

Do you mean like working with chocolate or working with hard and soft candy like lollipops and taffy? If it's the latter, you don't need any schooling, just a few books and lots of practice. If you mean chocolate then you're talking a whole other thing. Chocolate work isn't easy and you would definitely benefit from some classes and an apprenticeship afterwards. I don't know which culinary schools specialize in chocolate work, but it might be a good idea to do a search for it. Jacque Torres (the chocolate God IMO), works out of a school here in NY (I think it's the French Culinary Institute), but I don't know of any in CA. From what I've seen, most of the great chocolatiers learn abroad in France.

FYI - Working with chocolate was one of the most frustrating things I did in culinary school; it was fun, but temperature is EVERYTHING! Good luck to you Antoninus, I hope you find something that will help you.

[Antoninus]

Idealy I want to learn to work with chocolate and make my own candy bar, Ive kinda had an idea for a really good candy bar for a long long time

[DragonsChest]

Did some googling and here's what I found:

http://www.ecolechocolat.com./ (http://www.ecolechocolat.com./)

http://starchefs.com/ (http://starchefs.com/)

In the NYC area, the Institute of Culinary Education offers a variety of recreational classes for beginners through advanced cooks and bakers. http://www.iceculinary.com/recreational/desserts.shtml (http://www.iceculinary.com/recreational/desserts.shtml) Scroll down the list to see all the different classes that are available.

For West Coast chocoholics, there are some classes being offered at UC Davis. Check out the link: http://www.richres.com/ (http://www.richres.com/)

[Antoninus]

Thank you :)

[BrigidMoon]

Here are some links I found:

http://www.theconfectionary.com/school.html (http://www.theconfectionary.com/school.html)

http://thefrenchculinaryinstitute.com/chocolatier_school.html (http://thefrenchculinaryinstitute.com/chocolatier_school.html)

http://www.ecolechocolat.com/chocolatier-school.htm (http://www.ecolechocolat.com/chocolatier-school.htm)

http://www.slattery.co.uk/courses.cfm (http://www.slattery.co.uk/courses.cfm)

http://www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools.com/california-school-culinary-arts/index.htm (http://www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools.com/california-school-culinary-arts/index.htm)

http://www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools.com/california-cooking-culinary-arts-schools.htm (http://www.cooking-culinary-arts-schools.com/california-cooking-culinary-arts-schools.htm)

Hope these help!
:)

[Karma Chameleon]

So, Antoninus, are you planing on becoming a real life Willie Wonka? ;)

Congrats on figuring out what you want to do with your life. :)

[MammaStar]

go for it Antoninus. Look up local culinary school's as well. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Semele]

Hey Sweet! Hahaha!! I can't wait to try your candy!

[luna rising]

Hm, I know Columbus State has a highly respected culinary program. Maybe you could check it out. And then you would be close to me, and I could sample your work. :D