Answer
I would recommend working in a professional kitchen before thinking of going to school. School will give you a great basis to start from, but I don't think it really makes a huge difference. All refined techniques are learned on the job. It's much safer to start out actually working in the field rather than spending thousands of dollars on culinary school and then you end up hating your job. It takes a special kind of weirdo to be a kitchen person. There is absolutely no glamor as seen on food network. Days are long and hard but if your one of those weirdos who I spoke of, the industry can be very rewarding. Also, keep in mind, starting out in this industry does not pay all that well until you're the boss or own the company. Then possibilities are endless but the kitchen can easily become your life. I don't mean to make it sound bad, because it's really not, but I definitely recommend testing the waters before shelling out for culinary school. Reading, watching TV and working in the industry can help propel yourself forward without ever stepping foot in a school. If after deciding this is really what you want to do, I'm all for culinary school. You can learn a lot about the science of it all which most people don't think about in the real world. The best of luck to you.