Cooking goes beyond putting this and that into a pot. From the choice of the food to cook – to the correct mixing of ingredients to produce a blast of flavour in your mouth – to the presentation of the food, cooking can be thoroughly enjoyed and savoured, just like art. If you are a part of that clique that knows how to savour the art of cooking, you should consider becoming a professional chef. This way, you can build a reputation in the food industry and earn from your hobby.
Though transforming your hobby or dream into a real professional career can be overwhelming and daunting, culinary schools exist to guide you through the entire process. The best culinary schools are the ones that offer a perfect blend of theoretical cuisine knowledge with practical exposure. You can be sure of this blend in culinary schools in Texas.
After cowboys, Texas is known for its fantastic food scene. Just being in Texas alone draws you in to appreciate the perfect blend of cultures in food, a typical example being the morning burrito invented in Texas, culinary creativity, and hospitality. If just being in Texas alone brings you to appreciate all these, studying in any of the culinary schools in Texas would draw you into a wide ride of learning and becoming the best chef you can be.
In this article, we have put together the best culinary schools in Texas you should consider. While culinary schools in Texas are good in what they do, some would suit your needs better than others. We hope this list helps you make a well-informed decision from the many options of culinary schools in Texas available to you.
The 10 Best Culinary Schools in Texas
Many fantastic culinary programs in Texas enable you to both take advantage of the state’s thriving culinary culture and earn a degree in culinary arts.
Many Texas-based universities provide Associate’s degree and certificate programs in culinary arts. The Associate’s degree program lasts a year while the certification program lasts two years.
- The Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
- Del Mar College
- Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
- St. Philip’s College
- Austin Community College
- Culinary Institute Lenotre
- Tarrant Community College
- Dallas College in El Centro
- San Jacinto College
- The Culinary School of Fort Worth
#1. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
The Culinary Institute of America, well-known for its location in New York, also has a school in San Antonio, a wonderful, hospitable city brimming with Latin American-influenced culture and cuisine. The facility is situated right in the middle of the excitement in the Pearl District, making it ideal for chefs. The CIA Texas campus is packed with food-focused activities and events that fire your knowledge of Latin American cuisines and food traditions, attracting a unique blend of prospective cooks, food lovers, and existing culinary professionals.
The San Antonio, TX institution provides an Associate’s degree program in baking, pastry, and culinary arts. There are also specific programs available to help industry professionals advance their careers. Also, it is possible to enroll in a one-day session for food and wine enthusiasts for a fun culinary school experience.
You can also transfer credits acquired at the CIA Antonio branch to the school’s New York campus if you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts. CIA’s tuition fee is $17,760 and about 90% of her students receive financial aid.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#2. Del Mar College
The Department of Human Sciences and Education at Del Mar College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts program. Students can choose between specializing in the chef training program or the baking/pastry program in this extensive training program.
There are 60 semester hours required for those who want to enroll in the Chef Training program. They are obliged to participate in an off-campus experience in addition to their on-campus curriculum to develop their practical abilities.
Some of the courses offered in this program include Basic Food Preparation, Beverage Management, Fundamentals of Baking, Garde Manager, Principles of Food and Beverage Controls, Nutrition for the Food Service Professionals, A La Carte Cooking, Advanced Pastry Shop, Hospitality Management, and Leadership, among many others.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#3. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, the country’s largest culinary school brand, takes pride in providing affordable education from famous chef instructors. Students will have the opportunity to delve deeply into French cuisine and the continuing legacy of Auguste Escoffier, the school’s founder.
In the pastry arts field, they will be given the tools they need to realize their full potential. Students will enter the competitive workforce equipped with practical skills and operational knowledge that will set them apart from the competition thanks to Escoffier’s small, personalized sessions and current approaches.
Auguste Escoffier offers Culinary Arts Associate of Occupational Studies degrees. Students who have finished the diploma or certificate programs and want to continue their education in the culinary arts can enroll in this program. For new students who wish to obtain a degree, it is also an excellent fit. People who have already completed the diploma or certificate can finish the program in six months.
After finishing the courses, students participate in a practical industry internship to advance their understanding, proficiency, and practical experience. Students acquire a broad range of abilities that can provide them with a competitive edge in different areas of the industry, from management and operations to food preparation.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#4. St. Philip’s College
St. Philip’s College is a member of the Alamo Colleges founded in 1898 which offers an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree. By completing this degree, students are well-equipped to seek careers in the hospitality business as food production chefs, fine dining chefs, kitchen managers, caterers, research and development chefs, and personal chefs.
Introduction to Foods, Basic Food Preparation, Professionalism in the Hospitality Industry, Professional Cooking and Dining Room Service, Principles of Food and Beverage Controls, Advanced Pastry Shop, Practicum Culinary Arts, Fundamentals of Baking, and many others are among the courses that students can take in this program.
The American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission accredited the Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts. Because it is an outstanding status program, graduates will get certification from the American Culinary Federation as Certified Culinarians, preparing them for the rigorous demands of their chosen profession. Students in this program must earn a total of 60 credits.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#5. Austin Community College
Austin Community College was established in 1973. While the school offers over 100 certification and associate degree programs, they also provide an Associate of Applied Science Degree program for those with a passion and interest in the culinary arts.
Students will learn in this program how to make a career out of their passion for food. They will receive a solid foundation and necessary skills to operate in a commercial food and beverage environment. It prepares students for a higher-level line position or perhaps a position in management training in the culinary industry.
Sanitation and Safety, Basic Food Preparation, Fundamentals of Baking, Nutrition for the Food Service Professional, Meat Preparation and Cooking, Intermediate Food Preparation, American Regional Cuisine, and others are among the courses offered in this program. After finishing this program, you will be a junior member of the American Culinary Federation. This automatically qualifies you to apply for a Certified Culinarian Certification, the first level of certification for Chefs.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#6. Culinary Institute Lenotre
Another top-ranked culinary school in the United States is the Culinary Institute Lenôtre. It has been in operation in Houston, Texas, since 1927. The school’s professional chef instructors have an average of 15 years of industry experience, so you’ll be learning from the finest. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, you will receive the entire attention and support you require to become a brilliant chef.
The majority of the students’ time is spent in high-tech kitchen labs, where they learn about cuisine and methods. Before graduating, the typical student will secure employment in the culinary industry. Yes, that’s how recognized the Lenôtre name is in the culinary field.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#7. Tarrant Community College
Tarrant Community College was established in 1965. The Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges accredited the college to award associate degrees. In Tarrant, Students can choose to complete an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts program under the Business & Industry pathway. This is a wonderful option for people who wish to be professionals in culinary arts and learn how to prepare, season, and cook a range of foods. It prepares students for a lucrative profession in the culinary arts. Students are required to combine practical technical skills with leadership and business management qualities outside of the classroom.
#8. Dallas College in El Centro
The Pastry and Hospitality department of Dallas College takes great pride in its Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts. Every culinary class in the college adheres to a cohort program, in which students are grouped for the duration of their degree. This fosters teamwork among students, a quality that is crucial for a career in the culinary arts. It is a crucial component of their curriculum to train students about regional and foreign cuisines in America.
Teachers in this program have years of expertise and are dedicated to giving students cutting-edge skills and creating connections in the workplace. Students will receive training through in-class lectures and practical applications, enabling them to acquire the fundamental and advanced skills they need to launch a successful culinary career.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#9. San Jacinto College
A culinary school in Texas called San Jacinto College provides advanced instruction in the culinary arts. They want to help students achieve academic and employment success in the culinary business.
Students who are interested in acquiring an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts with a focus on the Chef Training program can anticipate receiving a fundamental education and pertinent training to get them ready to work as cooks and apprentice chefs. The program has a strong emphasis on the development of technical food preparation and service skills. Still, it will also cover the fundamentals of food composition and give students hands-on experience using and maintaining equipment used in the food service industry.
Students are required to finish 60 credits. Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree will be ACF-certified chefs because the program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
#10. The Culinary School of Fort Worth
The Culinary School of Fort Worth, a Nationally Accredited Culinary Institution, teaches more than just the fundamentals of cooking. They get you ready for the commercial kitchen in the real world. Small class sizes and knowledgeable culinary instructors are features of the institution. In a tight-knit culinary community, you will be learning from the best.
You will earn a professional culinary arts certificate after completing this specialty school. After completing nine months of practical culinary instruction and a two-month internship, this is given out. You can apply your school credits at a nearby university to earn an Associate degree in Food Service Management.
For more information on one of the leading culinary schools in Texas, click here.
FAQs
How Can I Become a Cook in Texas?
Observe the following when applying to become a cook in Texas:
– A high school diploma or its equivalent is required, along with a certificate, and diploma.
– Both formal training programs and on-the-job training are accessible.
– Voluntary chef certification
– Culinary enthusiasts need to have a keen sense of taste, the ability to follow directions and work well with others, and stamina.
What are the best Texas Paying Culinary Jobs according to Salaries?
– In Texas, a cook’s annual salary ranges from $28,000 to $36,000.
– In Texas, a line cook or prep cook can expect to make $15 to $20 per hour.
– The annual salary range for culinary professionals is $72,000–$102,000.
– A lead cook’s annual salary is $42,000.
– In Texas, the salary range for the Director of Kitchen position is $75,000–$100,000.
Is going to any of the recommended Culinary Schools in Texas and becoming a chef worth it?
From 2022 to 2032, employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to expand by 5%, faster than the average for all occupations.
Over the next ten years, it is anticipated that there will be, on average, 22,000 openings for chefs and head cooks. Many of those positions are expected to be brought on by the need to replace workers who change careers or leave the workforce due to retirement.
Conclusion
Culinary schools are the best place to refine your hobby as a cook. These 10 culinary schools in Texas are the ones we recommend for you. Turn your dream into reality by carefully considering these schools and submitting an application now to the culinary schools in Texas that best suit your needs. Did you find this helpful? If yes, make sure to share.
Reference
Bls.gov – Chefs and Head Cooks: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Premiumschools.org – 10 Best Culinary Schools in Texas 2022
Chefspencil.com – Top 12 Culinary Schools in Texas
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Computer Engineering Student & Educational Content Writer
Udegbe Assumpta Chibuzor is a highly motivated undergraduate pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at a respected university. As a skilled writer with a passion for education, she leverages her research skills to create informative and top-ranking educational content. Udegbe has a proven track record of assisting students in their academic pursuits, including helping them find the best schools for their goals.
