Certificates CAN be a viable option for you. If anyone tells you otherwise, let them know (politely), that they are wrong.

While I can see why one would bypass school and walk into the industry, there are many fantastic chefs that attended a traditional culinary school and made it.

This is totally irrelevant to you because statistics and information can be skewed to match whatever outcome one desires. Welcome to Marketing!

The Food Network has blessed the US with access to food 24/7. Bobby Flay, Sandra Lee, and Paula Deen
have you salivating for tasty (some may say) treats but does that mean your child should go to culinary
school?