Culinary School?

Given the fact that you started this discussion four years ago and have not had much activity since then, I doubt that my answer will matter but I will give it a try anyway. I think it depends upon your natural talents and what career path you have in mind. I have a friend that went to college and has an Associate's Degree in culinary arts, but he works in an entirely different field. Even after getting his degree, he had to start at the bottom and work his way up. He found out that he did not really like it as much as he thought that he would. He liked cooking for his friends and such, but he really did not like working in a restaurant, so he chose a different path. I have another friend that never went to college or took any kind of cooking courses, but he is a "natural" at it. To be honest, he never really liked cooking at first. In fact, when he took the job at the restaurant, it was just a way for him to pay the bills until he could get a job in his chosen career, but he found out that he really enjoyed what he was doing. He did have to start as a prep cook and work his way up, but he is doing well as a chef in a high-end local restaurant. He will never be a famous chef, have his own television show or own his own restaurant, but not only does he enjoy what he is doing but also makes a decent living at it.