Find Your Perfect School
Are you looking for the fastest culinary programs? Accelerated training allows cooking enthusiasts to quickly develop the skills for running their dream restaurant or bakery. Culinary programs often involve year-round courses to prepare for the fast-paced, high-energy food service industry.
Culinary programs provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a successful career in the culinary arts. These programs typically focus on food preparation, presentation, nutrition, and food safety. Through hands-on experience and instruction from experienced instructors, students learn the basics of cooking and baking, as well as more in-depth principles and techniques related to the field.
In addition to this main component, many culinary programs also provide students with an understanding of hospitality, business, and nutrition, which are all necessary for success in the culinary industry. Culinary programs range in duration from certificate programs to Associate or Bachelor’s degree programs, allowing students to choose the program that best suits their individual goals and needs.
Graduates of culinary schools burst into a hospitality market poised for 5 percent job growth. The BLS expects that 22,000 additional executive chefs, sous chefs, and head cooks will be hired through 2032 for a mean salary of $60,210. To spice up your career opportunities, we’ve outlined the 30 Fastest Culinary Programs.
Have you always dreamed of owning your own restaurant or catering business? Are you interested in a management or supervisory position? Do you need extra training for a job promotion? You should follow your dreams and earn additional credentials to get started in a new career in the culinary arts.
If you are thinking you don’t have enough time for a lengthy bachelor’s degree program, our list of the 30 Fastest Culinary Programs should get you started. Our list ranges from certificate diploma options to earning an associate degree in the field.
In addition, if you think you may want to obtain your bachelor’s degree, be sure your associate degree credits will transfer and that you are attending a properly accredited program.
Methodology
Let us help you find the best Culinary school program that fits your educational requirements for starting a new career, a job promotion, or simply meeting your personal goals. Our researchers at PremiumSchools.org utilize these indicators of excellent academic standards to locate exceptional Culinary school programs designed just for you.
The following schools are listed in random order. As every school displays its unique qualities and strengths, you should search our list based on your needs and career aspirations.
The following factors were considered:
- Offers on-campus classes for flexible or convenient attendance without compromising hands-on training,
- Exhibits rigorous, yet engaging and innovative training in the field of culinary coursework that takes into account the readiness of students to take the next step in their budding careers,
- Taught by outstanding faculty consisting of experts in the field of culinary studies,
- Held in high esteem among academic agencies, industry organizations, and journalistic resources,
- Displays stellar reviews and feedback from school alumni and students,
- Offers a convenient application process,
- Provides exceptional Student Career Centers, Resource Departments, and easy-to-use Learning Management Systems, where applicable,
- Permits a wide range of scholarships, grants, and other financial support programs for eligible students,
- Ensures the proper Accreditation by academic standards in the field of culinary studies by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
If you would like to learn more about our selection process, feel free to see our Methodology page!
The 30 Fastest Culinary Programs
Institute of Culinary Education
Based in New York City since 1975 to produce 13,000+ alumni, the Institute of Culinary Education was crowned the #5 “The World’s 12 Best Culinary Schools” in 2021 by The Kitchen Community.
Culinary Instructors are well-educated and present the learning material well-roundedly, ensuring that all students fully understand the material. It is entirely hands-on from the start, and the program offers flexible hours to accommodate any schedule.
Students can finish the degree program of a 650-hour Culinary Arts Diploma in eight to 12 months with externships at 300+ restaurants. The school also takes pride in being one of the country’s most affordable culinary arts programs.
Accreditation:
Learn more about the Institute of Culinary Education’s Culinary Arts diploma program.
Did You Know?
Each year, ICE’s special events division hosts hundreds of corporate and private cooking events, ranging from client entertaining and sales dinners to press events, product launches, and film shoots.
Kendall College at National Louis University
Kendall College in National Louis University was ranked fourth among the top 22 culinary schools in the country in 2016 by FSR Magazine. Kendall offers a two-year AA program that combines the art and science of cooking with an overview of restaurant management practices.
Along with rigorous culinary training, you’ll look into some of the leadership and collaboration strategies you’ll need to succeed in a food-related career. Students holding a bachelor’s could complete an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts Accelerated Program in only five quarters. The Goose Island Campus has 12 professional-grade kitchens for practice.
Accreditation:
Are you ready to learn more? Check out Kendall College’s Accelerated AAS Degree in Culinary Arts program.
Did You Know?
The previous owner of Kendall, Baltimore-based Laureate Education, sold Kendall College to National Louis University for $1 and agreed to pay up to $14 million toward the construction of culinary and hospitality program facilities. Aside from financial struggles before the deal, the school board of Kendal wanted to broaden Kendal College’s general education.
Culinary Institute of America
Deemed as the 21st “Best College Food” in 2022 on Niche, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park lets students earn the ProChef Certification fast. The Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in Culinary Arts takes just 21 months.
The 66-credit AOS in Culinary Arts degree program requires 51 credits in culinary arts, 9 credits in liberal arts, and 6 credits in business management. Students gain real-world cooking experience in the award-winning Bocuse Restaurant.
Accreditation:
Learn additional information about the Culinary Institute of America’s Associate of Culinary Arts degree program.
Did You Know?
The CIA storeroom consumes approximately 30,000 chickens, 14,500 pounds of avocados, and 5,000 pineapples per year, and it stocks 37 different types of flour.
Le Cordon Bleu College
Noted for alumni like Julia Child and Mario Batali, Le Cordon Bleu was ranked second among culinary schools by okchef.org. It is also one of the earliest known culinary schools in the world. Food enthusiasts can pursue the college’s Grand Diplôme.
The Grand Diplôme is different from all the other diplomas on this list. It is considered the passport to a world of career opportunities. It is an intensive and comprehensive program in classic French culinary techniques that combines Diplôme de Pâtisserie and Diplôme de Cuisine.
Accreditation:
Are you ready to turn your hobby into a career? Learn more about Le Cordon Bleu College.
Did You Know?
Taking its name from a renowned order of sixteenth-century French knights who presumably wore blue sashes and were thus popularly referred to as the “Cordon-Bleus,” Le Cordon Bleu culinary school is the only French cooking school that can claim to have been in operation for over 100 years.
Ivy Tech Community College
College Factual ranked Ivy Tech as the United States’ 138th Best Schools for the Money (No Aid) over 1000 schools. The Hospitality Administration Division offers the speedy 32-credit Culinary Arts Technical Certificate for two-term completion.
This certificate program will teach students practical and theoretical knowledge of fundamental culinary, food preparation, and food presentation. It also allows you to put your theoretical knowledge into practice in world-class facilities modeled after the professional industry. Courses are conveniently available at nine Indiana campuses, including Muncie, Gary, and Evansville.
Accreditation:
Learn more about Ivy Tech Community College’s Hospitality Administration program.
Did You Know?
The term “Ivy + textbooks” implies that all required textbooks are the same price. You no longer have to question the price of each book! To add even more value, students in the 2022 academic year will have the cost of required textbooks covered entirely free of charge!
Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Named for the “King of Chefs” who invented some 5,000 recipes. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, founded in 2011, ranked as #1 “The World’s 12 Best Culinary Schools” in 2021 by The Kitchen Community.
The current Culinary Arts Diploma Program lasts 30 weeks, with 24 weeks of on-campus culinary practical coursework and 6 weeks of industry externship. The Boulder campus’s online diploma program in Culinary Arts and Operations lasts 60 weeks.
Accreditation:
Would you like to learn more about Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.? Yes. please!
Did You Know?
The school is named after world-renowned chef Auguste Escoffier, who began his career at the age of 13. He became the iconic chef who revolutionized modern French cuisine and had a significant impact on the history of culinary arts.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
The School of Business, Professional Studies, and Public Safety at Florida State College’s Jacksonville Campus offers an accelerated, 35-credit Culinary Arts Technical Certificate. Applauded in “America’s Top 20 Culinary Schools” by FSR Magazine, the 14-month program offers courses from food production to menu marketing with field experience.
This certificate is directly transferable to the degree of Culinary Management (A.S.). Students may choose to pursue this certificate to develop or upgrade their skills or decide to pursue the A.S. degree and earn the certificate while completing the degree requirements.
Accreditation:
How about some additional information? Learn more about Florida State College’s Certificat Culinary and Culinary Management degree programs.
Did You Know?
Florida State College at Jacksonville provides daycare for students with young families.
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Arizona, is ranked 3rd of the “Best Community Colleges in America” by Best Value Schools. S.C.C. has a culinary school, which some may find surprising given that the culinary program is located in the back of the school.
The A.A.S. in Culinary Arts degree program covers a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on hands-on training. The program, led by expert faculty and instructors, provides students with the necessary knowledge, culinary techniques, and principles. It takes 60 minimum credit hours to complete.
Accreditation:
Want to study culinary arts in the west’s most western town? Learn more about SSC’s fast-paced AAS in Culinary Arts Degree.
Did You Know?
Scottsdale Community College’s 8-week online, non-credit “Introduction to the Cannabis Industry” program is the state’s first of its kind.
The University of Hawaii – Maui’s College
Maui Culinary Academy, ranked #2 “Cheapest Colleges in Hawaii by Out of State Tuition” by CollegeCalc, is located in the beautiful 38,000 square-foot Pa‘ina Culinary Arts Center at the University of Hawaii Maui Colleg Kahului campus. It offers an award-winning Culinary Arts Program where students can earn an AAS in Culinary Arts in a fast-paced learning environment.
Instructors integrate culinary classes with specialized commercial operations to offer an intensive learning environment. Students receive hands-on training in nine kitchen labs and prepare for careers in the food service industry by operating various food outlets.
The curriculum emphasizes outreach and field experience through resort hotel properties, local restaurants, agricultural partners, and professional industry support in R&D.
Accreditation:
Want to learn more about the best culinary arts program on the island? Visit The University of Hawaii – Maui’s College AAS in Culinary Arts.
Did You Know?
After all the cooking and tasting, students’ favorite go-to place is the school’s gym. UH Maui Fit allows students to have hands-on training in Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, RIPPED, Turbo Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Freestyle Core.
Louisiana Culinary Institute
Honored among the “Top 25 Culinary Schools in America” by Premium Schools, Louisiana Culinary Institute offers accelerated cooking programs in Baton Rouge. The 75-credit Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts can be finished in 16 months full-time.
Students will be going around its 40,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, including two project kitchens, a dining hall, three demo labs, and three bakeshops. Students choose to concentrate on Savory Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts. The intensive curriculum allows students to work while attending classes, immediately applying their newly acquired knowledge to their careers.
Accreditation:
Would you like to learn more about Louisiana Culinary Institute? Of course!
Did You Know?
LCI serves as an official testing center for the American Culinary Federation and provides leisure classes, team building, and consulting services for culinary establishments, hospitals, corporations, businesses, restaurants, hotels, and bakeries in addition to its formal educational programs.
Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College
North Michigan College, where The Great Lakes Culinary Institute is situated, ranked #15 “Top Public Schools” on the 2019 U.S. News and World Report. This institute offers 4 fast-paced tracks to students: Baking Level I Certificate; Culinary Arts Level III Certificate; Associate in AAS in Culinary Arts; and AAS Degree in Culinary Sales & Marketing.
Its Culinary Arts programs are intended to provide rigorous and concentrated study for students interested in careers in the rapidly expanding food service industry. NMC has five culinary labs where students learn and maximize their skills: an introductory and food skills kitchen, a bakery, an advanced cooking kitchen, an á la carte kitchen, Lobdell’s, a garde manger kitchen, and a 90-seat training restaurant.
Accreditation:
Start living your dream as a chef with Great Lakes Culinary Institute’s Culinary Arts degree programs at Northwestern Michigan College.
Did You Know?
Al Roker and the Today Show crew visited Marquette to set a world record! Roker and NMU students set a new Guinness World Record for the largest game of freeze tag ever played.
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College ranked 5th Best Value Schools on College Factual. Secchia Institute at GRCC offers three certificate programs with Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Brewing Academic Pathway, which you can later use to an Associate degree in Applied Arts and Sciences.
SICE students will gain experience working in on-campus restaurants such as Art & Bev’s Bistro and The Heritage and internships at Walt Disney World, Pittsburgh, and Italy, to name a few.
Accreditation:
Turn your interest into a career. Learn more about Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.
Did You Know?
The Culinary Arts program at GRCC received awards from the American Culinary Federation for three consecutive seven-year cycles, making it one of only two programs in the country to receive this honor.
Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, was named a Top Regional University by U.S. News & World Report. The university has housed the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute since 1996.
Transfers who fulfill general education courses can complete the 60-credit A.S. in Culinary Arts within just 12 months. Students are encouraged to specialize in product development, service, baking and pastries, restaurant management, product development, regional and international cuisines, mass communications, business, education, and beverage operations.
The curriculum’s theoretical, laboratory, and field internship experience components will prepare students for various culinary positions in the expanding food service field. Skills in preparing Cajun cuisine are practiced in Le Bistro.
Accreditation:
Take your career to the next level by learning more about Nicholls State University.
Did You Know?
The University’s namesake, Francis Tillou Nicholls, was a Confederate general in the Civil War and a two-term governor, making it Louisiana’s only university named after a Confederate.
ECPI University
Headquarters in Virginia Beach with 19 U.S. campuses, ECPI University was ranked Virginia’s 1st “Safest College Campuses” by Niche. The College of Culinary offers an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts that requires 60 credits. You must complete 42 core curriculum credits, 15 arts and sciences credits, and a 3-credit self-integration course. This degree is designed to be completed in less than 15 months with year-round terms.
.Your course work will progress from basic culinary techniques to advanced à la carte food preparation as you work alongside professional chef instructors in a hands-on environment. From orientation to graduation, the emphasis is on the business aspects of running a profitable kitchen, which better prepares you for leadership opportunities.
Accreditation:
Learn more about ECPI University’s Accredited Culinary Arts programs.
Did You Know?
ECPI is closely associated with The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity. Disney and NASA are two of the most prominent employers of graduates.
Arkansas Culinary School at Pulaski Technical College
Arkansas Culinary School at Pulaski Technical College, which ranked #22 for Best Culinary Schools in the U.S., offers fast-track programs that provide a rigorous, all-encompassing course of study in the culinary arts. The programs are intended to prepare students for careers in the food service industry. Classical and modern culinary techniques are combined with strong kitchen management skills.
Accreditation:
Arkansas Culinary School at Pulaski Technical College will get you started on your new career today!
Did You Know?
Pulaski Technical College is one of the few schools that offers 3D programs for students with IDD. The 3D program helps students with disabilities finish their programs and get ready for employment.
Henry Ford College
Henry Ford College is ranked 15th Cheapest College in America on Niche. HFC now offers an accelerated degree program in culinary arts. This program is designed for undergraduate degree holders, and high school students enrolled in a vocational education program with which HFCC has articulation agreements.
Courses are available during the day, evenings, and weekends, and students can enroll full-time or part-time. Henry Ford College’s hospitality and culinary programs are based on a model used by top European universities, which requires hours of hands-on lab experience and co-op (internships) where students work in the industry as part of their coursework.
Accreditation:
Learn more about Henry Ford College’s Accelerated degree programs in Culinary Arts plus many more!
Did You Know?
HFC is one of the colleges that offer an exciting Ice Club to its students! The club offers members the chance to participate in community events that promote ice carving and allow them to display their work.
Stratford University
Stratford University is recognized by Niche for America’s 6th “Best Colleges for Culinary Arts in America.” Students can pursue the 63-credit ACF Culinary Arts Professional Diploma in 18 months. Students will learn all the skills required to work in food service and hospitality, such as problem-solving, theory, and communication.
This includes five arts and science courses approved by an instructor and five core courses directly related to food and hospitality. Furthermore, the speedy five-week online or on-campus courses span from hospitality marketing to catering before a capstone project.
Accreditation:
Learn more about Stratford University’s Advanced Culinary Arts Professional Diploma program.
Did You Know?
The International Student Office at Stratford University will assist international students before, during, and after your program by assisting with visa applications, pre-departure travel advice, issuing eligibility and employment authorizations, and helping you in transferring from other institutions.
Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) offers Culinary Arts Associate degree programs for career-minded individuals looking to advance their careers or use their culinary skills to launch a successful business.
The programs cover accounting, marketing, management, leadership, culinary, and entrepreneurial skills. The kitchen labs available at the CAI include bakeries, an ice-sculpting studio, a fish and butchery room, a 4,000-volume library, and a mock hotel suite.
However, kitchen labs can only accommodate 16 students at a time. Some of these laboratories have even appeared on popular television shows.
Accreditation:
Learn more about the Culinary Arts programs through HCCC’s website.
Did You Know?
Hudson County Community College is one of only two ACF-accredited programs in the state. This prestigious culinary school takes great pride in providing students with personalized instruction and interaction with faculty and staff.
Institute of Technology
The Institute of Technology in Clovis is ranked America’s 22nd “Best Colleges for Culinary Arts in America” on Niche. Students could obtain the Certified Culinarian credential fast with The 40-week Culinary Arts Diploma.
The Culinary Arts Diploma Program is an 880-hour program that includes a 180-hour externship in an industrial kitchen. It is regarded as an excellent program that provides hands-on training and coursework in advanced culinary skills. Graduates are qualified to work as cooks, chefs, bakers, or catering specialists.
Accreditation:
Need a fast culinary diploma? Learn more about the Institute of Technology’s program.
Did You Know?
Institute of Technology held its first Career Fair in October 2021 since the pandemic. The Modesto staff provided numerous excellent opportunities to assist their graduates. The event provided an opportunity for them to be seen and see what is available in the industry.
College of DuPage
The 60,000 square-foot LEED-certified Culinary & Hospitality Center at College of DuPage, #191 “Best Community Colleges in America” on Niche, offers a fast-paced, 18-month Certificate in Culinary Arts. The Culinary Arts program teaches students the skills they need to start or advance their careers in the hospitality industry.
64 credits are required for program requirements, program electives, and general education for the A.A.S. degree, while the Culinary Arts certificate requires 25 credits. Hands-on training in the Skills Kitchen is applied at the Wheat Café and Waterleaf Restaurant.
Accreditation:
Do you need degree and certificate options? Learn more about the College of DuPage.
Did You Know?
COD spent more than $550 million in physical improvements that transformed the Glen Ellyn campus’s appearance. Whether students visit campus for the first time or return to further their education, they know that these new facilities and high-tech laboratories give them an advantage when transferring or looking for work.
Coastal Alabama Community College
Coastal Alabama Community College offers a variety of certificate and degree programs for students interested in pursuing a career in the culinary arts. The AAS programs in Baking and Pastry and the AAS in Culinary Arts are two-year programs with an apprenticeship component.
Students complete a capstone course to prepare a meal and submit it to the program faculty for judging and review. Students can also express their creativity in the culinary arts by taking courses like Into to Garde Manger, Culinary Art Sculpture, and Plated Dessert Design. Pastry students compete in competition teams to showcase their skills.
Accreditation:
Make a start on your career by learning more about the AAS-CUA program through the Coastal Alabama Community College website.
Did You Know?
Chef Matt, the program’s instructor, was promoted to Executive Chef of Cobalt Restaurant in 2010 and worked for seven years, during which time the restaurant was named Best Seafood in Alabama and Best Brunch in Alabama. Chef Matt then competed in the World Food Championships twice, finishing 12th in the seafood category in 2019.
Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College ranked 5th “Best Schools for Hospitality Management in Virginia” by College Factual. The Richmond-based college confers the A.A.S. in Culinary Arts with a hasty, 15-month schedule. Students have three specializations to choose from: Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, and Culinary Management.
Students will learn their trade in a cutting-edge kitchen environment outfitted with the most up-to-date kitchen equipment. Students who already have a culinary arts degree or certificate can apply for the Pastry Arts Career Studies Certificate.
This three-semester certificate program is designed for those with prior experience specializing in baking, pastry production, and confections.
Accreditation:
Take a look at Reynolds Community College’s AAS Culinary Arts degree program.
Did You Know?
The Kitchens at Reynolds received a $100,000 grant from Bank of America. The grant will enable the college to provide job training in the culinary arts while also connecting the community to the college’s full range of academic and workforce programs.
Keiser University
Keiser University is located in three Florida locations, Melbourne, Sarasota, and Tallahassee. They offer an AS degree in Culinary Arts and an AS in Baking and Pastry Arts degree program.
These degree programs offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes laboratory sessions, academic preparation, and hands-on experience that will ensure you are knowledgeable in all culinary skills, like food preparation, handling, and basic cooking skills, as well as how to cook pastries, cakes, candies, and cookies, depending on which program you choose as your focus.
Students gain professional knowledge of food, its preparation and handling, and cooking techniques ranging from beginner to advanced. An externship is included in the curriculum to prepare students for entry-level positions in the food service industry.
Accreditation:
Did You Know: Full-time undergraduate students between the ages of 16 and 17 must live in university residence halls. This is for the university to achieve its goal of providing students with a university experience that promotes academic success and better integration into campus life.
Learn more about Keiser University’s Associate of Science degrees in Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts.
Westmoreland County Community College
Westmoreland County Community College, which ranked 16th as “World’s Best Trade School” on rwm.org, offers fast culinary arts programs with both apprentice and non-apprentice options. Students who choose the apprenticeship route complete approximately 64 credit hours of classroom instruction and 4,000 hours of on-the-job training.
The program can be completed in about two years by students. The non-apprenticeship option consists of a combination of coursework and an internship. Westmoreland University provides cutting-edge facilities and knowledgeable faculty.
Accreditation:
Learn more about the associate degree in culinary arts by visiting Westmoreland County Community College’s website.
Did You Know?
The apprenticeship option partners with Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in the “Earn While You Learn” program, where students can work while earning their degree.
Jefferson State Community College
Graded B for diversity as America’s #148 “Best Personal & Culinary Services Associate Degree Schools” on U.S. News and World Report, Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, offers a fast, 18-month Associate of Applied Science in Foodservice Culinary Management.
Students will study fundamental concepts, skills, and techniques of basic cooking—scientific principles of food preparation and the relationship of food composition and structure to food preparation. Students will gain skills in food preparation as they relate to the food service industry. The program places students in state-of-the-art kitchens to run the Shelby-Hoover Campus Bistro.
Accreditation:
Learn more about Jefferson State Community College’s Fast Culinary and Hospitality programs.
Did You Know?
Jefferson State is well-known for funding emergency grants. Just last year, fall of 2021, JSCC distributed American Rescue Plan emergency grants to students enrolled. Enrolled students received $750, and Pell Grant recipients received an additional $750. These funds are in addition to any other forms of financial assistance.
Oakland Community College
Oakland Community College ranked as the #1 Best Value School (No Aid) in America by College Factual. Oakland Community College’s Culinary Arts Associate degree is a 73-credit-hour program that includes a working internship. If they so desire, students can compete in culinary competitions.
The Certificate in Baking and Pastry requires 32 credit hours of coursework in retail baking, merchandising, cake decorating, and bread. Students will learn guest services, cost analysis, menu development, wine and spirits, and event planning in addition to hands-on cooking and baking.
Accreditation:
Learn more about the Culinary Arts programs by visiting the Oakland Community College website.
Did You Know?
CSI has three different culinary establishments where students can work and learn their craft: Ridgewood Bakery, Ridgewood Café, and Reflections Restaurant.
Trenholm State Technical College
While Trenholm State Technical College only ranked 3rd Best Culinary Schools in Alabama on BestChoicesSchool, AL’s largest ACF-accredited Culinary School. The school offers an AAS degree in Culinary Arts with two concentrations:
- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Management
Both tracks are 74 credit hours in total. An apprenticeship opportunity is included in associate degree programs, which students complete in their final two semesters. Students can finish their degree in six semesters or 76 credit hours.
Students have the opportunity to hone their culinary skills by working in food preparation labs. Nutrition, table service, sanitation, and cost control are just a few of the topics covered in class.
Accreditation:
Start working on your dream now and learn more about Trenholm State’s Culinary Arts program.
Did You Know?
Trenholm State serves racial and ethnic minorities better than the average school.
College of Southern Nevada
College of Southern Nevada, which ranked #253 Best College Locations in America on Niche, offers a fast and affordable Culinary Arts Program.
Associate degree and certificate programs students work alongside award-winning chefs in state-of-the-art kitchens. Students can gain experience in the on-campus Russell’s Restaurant, a full-service dining facility where they can learn everything from food preparation to hospitality.
This top culinary school’s low student-faculty ratio ensures that students receive plenty of one-on-one attention throughout the program.
Accreditation:
Visit the College of Southern Nevada’s website and learn more about their Culinary Arts Program.
Did You Know?
Students who complete the associate degree can transfer to UNLV to pursue a bachelor’s degree if they desire.
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #169 Best Community Colleges in America on Niche. NWCC’s Brightwater Culinary Arts program prepares you to work as a professional culinarian by providing a diverse and exciting array of internship opportunities at many of the area’s best food and lodging establishments.
Students will dip into the culinary world, learning about the entire food system, including grown, transported, and processed. After completing the program, students will see food as more than just food, but a link to culture, art, the environment, and the community.
Accreditation:
Ready to learn more than just basic culinary skills? Visit NWCC’s website for more information.
Did You Know?
NWCC is one of the few culinary schools where students have the opportunity to grow food in greenhouses and learn butchery and charcuterie skills, methods of food preservation, and culinary nutrition.
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Pierpont Community and Technical College, which ranked 4th Top Culinary Schools on Best Value Schools, offers culinary arts degree programs. Students complete an internship where they learn how to prepare and deliver quality food in various settings.
Students who complete the associate degree program can take the ACF exam and become Certified Culinarians. If they are interested in business and management, they can also matriculate into the bachelor’s degree program in Hospitality Management.
Accreditation:
You can visit Pierpont Community and Technical College for more details on its AAS in Culinary Arts Specialization.
Did You Know?
West Virginia high school graduates would be eligible for free tuition at Piermont under a bill passed by the State Senate.
FAQs People Also Ask
How long does it take to get a Culinary degree?
Depending on the level of education you desire, certificate programs can take as little as one year, while an associate degree will take two years. Also, if you would like to transfer your credits and spend another two years in training, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in the culinary arts.
Is a Culinary degree worth it?
Most likely. As the industry projects an average job growth rate increase over the next ten years, rest assured, food service personnel positions will always be plentiful. However, for a management position, you may need extra credentials, such as a bachelor’s degree. You will need to compare your educational investment to your potential salary to see if earning a degree is worth it.
Can I earn a Culinary Arts degree online?
Online versions of cooking school often involve a certificate or diploma program. You can complete your coursework online; however, you will be given assignments to cook at home. You may be required to provide pictures of the finished product and do your taste-testing.
What’s the difference between a Cook and a Chef?
Cooks are often thought of as hobbyists or “home cooks.” While a chef is also a “cook,” they normally have extensive training, have perfected their recipes, and continue to develop new skills through additional training courses and/or degree programs. Often, they are hired to work in fine restaurants or hotels that serve meals. They also work as personal chefs.
What kind of Culinary Arts degree should you get?
That depends solely on your end goal. If you wish to achieve an entry-level job in the restaurant business, you should do fine with a certificate or associate degree program; however, to take your career to the next level, like as a chef in a fine restaurant or the hospitality business, you should think about earning your bachelor’s degree.
What can you do with a degree in Culinary Arts?
- Restaurant Sous Chef or Head Chef
- Caterer
- Food and Beverage Manager
- Pastry Chef
- Recipe Developer
- Food Stylist
- Personal Chef
- And, much more!
Are “fast” culinary certificate programs good and respected in the field?
Accelerated culinary certificate programs have their advantages. They allow you to gain specific skills needed in the kitchen and are designed to get you out into the workforce faster than earning a four-year bachelor’s degree. Certificate programs are respected by employers who are looking for individuals to fill entry-level positions; however, they should be properly accredited by the ACF.
How important is American Culinary Federation (ACF) accreditation for a Culinary Arts program?
It is very important. A program that has passed the qualifications required by the ACF will ensure you and your potential employer that you have gained a quality education and have successfully learned the skills you need to function adequately in a kitchen environment.
What are the pros and cons of being a Culinary Chef?
Pros:
- Opportunity to work with a wide variety of food, flavors, and ingredients
- Ability to continually learn and create new recipes
- Opportunity to build relationships and interact with customers
- Independence and creativity
- Involvement with a dynamic and vibrant industry
- Respect and admiration from other culinary professionals
Cons:
- Long work hours, shifts, and holidays
- Stressful environment
- Risk of serious injury from sharp tools and extreme temperatures
- Financial insecurity and uncertainty
- Lower pay than most other professional careers
- Physical exertion and exhaustion from standing for extended periods
Turn your hobby into a career today! Watch this!
Related Articles
We would love to provide you with some additional information to help you with your program search. Check out these articles:
- What is an Associate Degree?
- What is a Bachelor’s Degree?
- The 30 Best Online Courses For Starting A Restaurant
- The Top 15 Outstanding Culinary Schools in America
Are you interested in Bartending? If so, we have some information for you about that, too! See: