Culinary Schools In America 2023: 13+ Best Culinary Schools In America

Culinary Schools In America 2023… Are you looking for the Best Culinary Schools In America? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about the Best Culinary Schools In America.

Becoming an excellent chef does not come by chance. Even if you are naturally excellent at preparing meals, you need professional training to hone your skills. Besides cooking, culinary schools teach related topics such as kitchen management, food sanitation, business and management, and inventory and cost control.

13+ Best Culinary Schools In America

Your journey to becoming competitive in the food services industry begins by enrolling at the right school for chefs. Most courses offered include an internship to equip you with hands-on kitchen training. Here are the 15 best culinary colleges in the US accredited by different bodies such as the American Culinary Federation.

1. Culinary Institute of America

What is the number 1 culinary school in America? Culinary Institute of America (CIA) located in Hyde Park, New York, comes top. This private and not-for-profit school, established in 1946, has branches in Napa, St. Helena, San Antonio, Texas, and Singapore.

CIA will go down in history as the first school to offer an Associate degree program in culinary arts (1971) and a Bachelor’s degree program (1991). Currently, the institution provides numerous Associate and Bachelor degree programs to make you a five-star head chef, a pastry chef skilled in decadent sweets, a researcher in the food industry, or the best restaurant owner, among others.

Other than teaching, the CIA assists learners with career placement and advancement. They offer paid externship for every degree program to give students on-the-job experience and professional connections. One of the celebrity chefs from the CIA is Anthony Bourdain.

Although the CIA is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), its culinary programs are not accredited by ACF.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, NY 12538-1499
• Phone: 845-452-9600
• Alt. Phone: 845-452-9430
• Fax: 845-451-1068
• Email: admissions@culinary.edu

2. Institute of Culinary Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is the largest independent culinary school in America. Founded in 1975 by Peter Kump, ICE is located in New York and Los Angeles. It offers diplomas taking 6-12 months in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Pastry and Baking Arts, and Hospitality Management, among others.

ICE has more than 14,000 graduates and was named The Best Culinary School in America by The Daily Meal in 2016. In2003, 2008, 2011, and 2015, ICE was mane Culinary School of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).

ICE focuses on the students and prides on its innovative spirit, global curriculum, expert chef-instructors, and connections to top restaurants and food businesses countrywide. It is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) but its culinary programs are not accredited by ACF.

This top culinary school in the US merged with International Culinary Center, formerly the French Culinary Institute.

Contacts

• New York City: 225 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10281
• Phone: (888) 354-2433
• Los Angeles: 521 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
• Phone: (888) 718-2433

3. Culinary Institute LeNotre

The Culinary Institute LeNotre was ranked the Best College for Culinary Arts in America for 3 years (2019, 2020, and 2021) by NICHE.COM. This employee-owned school was established in Houston in 1998 by Alain Lenotre and his wife.

Professional culinary arts students gain real-world experience at the institutions restaurant, Le Bistro. Programs offered include a diploma or Associate degree in the Culinary Arts. Institute LeNotre is accredited for Quality Education by The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).

Contacts

• Physical Address: Culinary Institute Inc., 7070 Allensby Street, Houston, TX 77022
• Phone: 713-692-0077
• Toll Free: 1-888-LENOTRE® (536-6873)
• Email: admissions@ciaml.com

4. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Located in Austin, TX, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, named after the legendary French chef, is a private, for-profit cooking school. It has a second location in Boulder, Colorado, and offers distance programs.

The school offers high-quality Associate degree and diploma courses with externships to help learners on-the-job experience and establish professional networks. Its farm-to-table program helps students to keep up with modern culinary trends.

The culinary programs at Auguste Escoffier are accredited by ACF. The institution is nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

Contacts

• Online Programs: Culinary Arts call 1-866-470-6904, Pastry Arts call 1-855-983-6002
• Austin Campus: 6020-B Dillard Circle, Austin, TX 78752. Phone: 1-866-552-2433
• Boulder Campus: 637 South Broadway, Suite H, Boulder, CO 80305. Phone: 1-877-249-0305

5. L’Academie de Cuisine

Established by Francois Dionot in 1976, L’Academie is a private, for-profit culinary institution located in Gaithersburg, MD, Washington D.C. It offers 2 certificate programs, i.e., Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts structured in 3 phases, including a paid apprenticeship at a fine restaurant.

L’Academie also maintains a job listing board to help learners with career placement and advancement. The culinary programs are not accredited by ACF, but the institution is nationally validated by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). One of the famous alumni from the institution is Carla Hall “The Chew.”

Contacts

• Physical Address: 16006 Industrial Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, United States
• Phone: 301-670-8670

6. Johnson and Wales University

Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson and Wales University is a private, not-for-profit, full-fledged university. It has branches in Denver, North Miami, Colorado, Charlotte, Florida, and North Carolina.

Other than typical degree programs, Johnson and Wales offers 10 different Bachelor and Associate culinary degree courses. Learners can combine culinary studies with management studies.

Johnson and Wales University culinary programs are accredited by ACF. The institution is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Contacts

• Physical Address: 8 Abbott Park Pl, Providence, RI 02903, United States
• Phone: 1-800-342-5598
• Fax: 401-598-2948

7. Metropolitan Community College Nebraska

Located in Omaha, NE, the Metropolitan Community College Nebraska (MCCN) is a public, not-for-profit institution that offers several high-quality Associate degree and certificate programs in culinary arts and culinary industry management. Notably, Metropolitan has a four-figure tuition price tag, making it very affordable.

MCCN allows its students to work in the school restaurant to gain valuable on-the-job experience and engage in professional networking. There is also the Culinary Competition Team that offers networking opportunities.

The institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its culinary programs are accredited by ACF.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 1234 E Hartman Ave, Omaha, NE 68110, United States
• Metropolitan Community College P.O. Box 3777, Omaha, NE 68103-0777
• Phone: +1 531-622-2400 or 531-622-2222

8. Kendall College of Culinary Arts

If you already have a Bachelor degree in another subject, you can pursue Accelerated Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts at Kendall College, Chicago, IL. Also, learners at Kendall work in the open-to-the-public restaurant The Dining Room.

The institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its culinary programs are accredited by ACF.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 18 S Michigan Ave 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

9. New England Culinary Institute

The New England Culinary Institute (NECI) in Montpelier, VT, is a private, for-profit cooking school offering various Bachelor and Associate degree and certificate courses and online programs. Other than regular classes, the institution offers internships, professional development workshops, career counseling, and networking opportunities.

One of the celebrity chefs from NECI is Alton Brown. Though the culinary programs are not accredited by ACF, the institution is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Contacts

• Physical Address: 7 School St, Montpelier, VT 05602, United States
• Phone: +1 877-223-6324
• Email: info@neci.edu

10. Sullivan University National Center for Hospitality Studies

Sullivan University is a private, for-profit university based in Louisville, Kentucky, with a second campus in Lexington. It was opened in 1987. Besides the typical courses offered at a university, the institution has a culinary school division at its National Center for Hospitality Studies.

Particularly, the school offers degree and diploma programs in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, professional catering, hotel/restaurant management, and travel and tourism. It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its culinary programs are accredited by ACF.

Contacts

• Telephone: 800-844-1354, ext. 329
• Email: wrhea@sullivan.edu

11. Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts

Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts offers a supportive environment for you to develop various culinary skills. The institution is located in Tallahassee, Sarasota, and Melbourne. It offers externship programs in the United States and abroad for you to apply the skills learned in class.

Keiser is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission.

Contacts

• Sarasota: 6151 Lake Osprey Dr. Sarasota, FL 34240
• Tallahassee: 1700 Halstead Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32309
• Melbourne: 900 S. Babcock St., Melbourne, FL 32901

12. The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College was established in 1974 in Philadelphia. It is one of the top 10 Culinary Arts schools in the Northeast, offering courses in culinary arts, pastry arts, restaurant management, and hotel management.

This is one of the restaurant schools that combines classroom teaching with hands-on training in award-winning restaurants open to the public. Interestingly, students go on tuition-paid travel adventures around the world. There are also programs for high schoolers and kids’ summer camps.

The Restaurant School is approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
• Hotline: (267) 295-2333
• Email: info@walnuthillcollege.edu

13. International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute

International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute (ICASI) in Chesterland, Ohio, Cleveland Area, was founded by Loretta Paganini. It is a stem of The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking that was established in 1989.

This for-profit college offers courses in culinary and pastry arts. The institution is registered with the State of Ohio Board of Career Colleges and School and nationally accredited through ACCET.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 8700 Mayfield Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026, United States
• Phone: +1 440-729-7340
• Fax: (440) 729-4546

14. Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu was established in Paris in 1895. Today, it is the largest network of culinary and hospitality schools globally, with over 35 institutes in 20 countries, including the United States.

Le Cordon Bleu offers Cuisine, Pastry & Confectionery, Bakery, Danish Pastries & Artisan Breads, and Hospitality Management & Gastronomy, among other programs. You can also purchase interesting educational cookbooks from the website.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 1460 Broadway – 1st Floor, New York, NY 10036
• Phone: 212.641.0331

15. Louisiana Culinary Institute

Last on this list of best culinary schools in the world is Louisiana Culinary Institute (LCI). This is a for-profit junior (2-year) culinary college at 10550 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It offers Associate degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Culinary Management.

Contacts

• Physical Address: 10550 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, United States
• Phone: +1 877-533-3198

Other cooking schools worth mentioning include:

• Boston University
• Culinary Institute of Savannah
• College of Southern Nevada
• Drexel University Center for Hospitality and Sport Management
• Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College
• Kennedy-King College’s The French Pastry School
• Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts
• Arizona Culinary Institute
• San Francisco Cooking School
• The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Washington
• The Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College.

FAQS On Culinary Arts Schools

Here are answers to some of the common questions about the best culinary school in the world.

What Are The Qualifications For Cooking Schools?

Although the requirements differ depending on the program, you must have a high school diploma or its equivalent to join a culinary college. Some institutions have 17 years old as the minimum age for learners.

How Much To Enrol At A Culinary School?

The amount varies from one institution to another. The program that you will be pursuing also affects the cost. However, the amount is usually less than that you would pay at a university offering four-year courses. Take advantage of financial aids and tuition discounts to reduce costs.

Is Culinary School Worth The Money?

Yes! Since you will be acquiring more than kitchen skills, every penny you spend at a culinary school is worth it. If you cannot afford or have time to attend physical classes, you can join online classes where hands-on field learning is not required.

How Long Is Culinary School?

The length of a program differs as per the course and your enrolment status. For instance, a culinary bachelor’s degree usually takes 4 years of intensive full-time study (6-8 hours daily, five days a week), while an associate degree takes two years full-time. A culinary certificate or diploma normally takes less than one year to complete.

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