On this page, we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in Alaska and the programs they offer.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training programs that lead to certificates or associate degrees, preparing students for employment in restaurants and other places that serve food.
Before being ready for your first job as a chef, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Checking ingredients
- Following safety and sanitation standards
- Planning menus
- Inspecting supplies
- Monitor sanitation practices
- Ordering and maintaining an inventory of foods
- And more
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in Alaska was $65,710 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $34,340 per year, on average.
Employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034.
As more restaurants and dining places are expected to open, the demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
Employment for bakers in the United States is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
If you’re passionate about food, we encourage you to read our list and see what culinary and baking schools in Alaska have to offer.
#1The Dirty Apron
About the School
The Dirty Apron offers classes held by local chefs.
Students have access to innovative recipes and professional-grade equipment.
Classes are available for kids and adults.
Courses Offered
The following adult classes are available at the school:
- Intro to Indian with Chef Kim
- Classic French Flair with Chef Jenny
- Paella Perfection with Chef Judith
- Taste of Greece- Gyros from Scratch with Chef Amy
- Bread, Brunch, and Brews
- Artisan Pizza Night with The Yorks
- Japanese Cuisine 101
- And many more
Contact Information
- Address: 3565 Arctic Blvd, Ste D3, Anchorage, Alaska 99503
- Phone: 907.297.8425
- Website: https://www.thedirtyapron.com
#2UAF Community and Technical College
About the School
UAF Community and Technical College is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and offers more than 50 one-year certificate and two-year associate degree programs in a variety of exciting fields.
The following culinary and hospitality programs are available at the college:
- Culinary Arts & Hospitality- A.A.S.
- Baking and Pastry Arts- Certificate
- Culinary Arts- Certificate
The Baking and Pastry Arts– Certificate includes coursework that develops foundation-level knowledge and skills in baking and pastry arts through courses in foodservice sanitation and safety, culinary and baking principles and techniques.
Students also complete intermediate-level baking and pastry coursework, as well as individual course selections that support students’ goals and interests.
The certificate can be completed in 10 months and has also been designed as a stepping stone in the A.A.S. degree in applied business for students who want to advance their knowledge through additional education.
Contact Information
- Address: 604 Barnette Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
- Phone: 877-882-8827
- Website: https://www.ctc.uaf.edu
#3Alaska Vocational Technical Center
About the School
Alaska Vocational Technical Center provides a Culinary Arts program that offers many employment opportunities.
This is a great path for those who are passionate about food and cooking.
The program highlights hands-on, competency-based training through progressive learning units.
It is a fast-paced program.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in this program:
- First Aid and CPR
- OSHA 10 Training
- Introduction to Professional Cooking
- Culinary Math
- Nutrition for Culinary Professionals
- Breakfast Production
- Food Service Management and Menu Development
- Hospitality and Beverage Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 809 Second Ave | PO Box 889, Seward, AK 99664
- Phone: (907) 224-3322
- Website: https://avtec.edu
#4University of Alaska Anchorage
About the School
University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Culinary Arts A.A.S. program that blends creativity, technique, and drive.
The department has offered hands-on training with expert guidance for over 50 years.
The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).
The following program options are available:
B.S. in Applied Technologies Leadership with a minor in Hospitality Administration, OEC in Culinary Arts, and OEC in Baking and Pastry Arts.
Culinary arts majors help students develop sweet and savory menus, create the dishes being served, and present these to guests in a student-run fine dining restaurant on campus.
Spatious learning labs in Cuddy Hall allow students to train on the same state-of-the-art equipment that students will find in the professional culinary world.
Contact Information
- Address: 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508
- Phone: (907) 786-1800
- Website: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu
#5Alaska Technical Center
About the School
The Alaska Technical Center offers a Culinary Arts program that helps students build the skills and knowledge learned in the kitchen and classroom.
Students prepare for career opportunities in restaurants, bakeries, catering companies, mining camps, and schools.
Tuition for the on-campus program is $15,282 per semester.
Off-campus tuition is $7,182 per semester.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Introduction to Professional Cooking
- Culinary Math
- Nutrition for the Culinary Professionals
- Breakfast Production
- Volume Food Production
- Culinary Baking
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 843 4th Street, Kotzebue, AK 99752
- Phone: 907-442-1500
- Website: https://www.nwarctic.org
#6The Jorgenson House
About the School
The Jorgenson House offers cooking classes that give students the opportunity to unleash their culinary creativity.
Students learn how to prepare fresh Alaska seafood and other gourmet specialties in a private cooking class with a local expert chef.
Groups of 1-12 students learn in a modern, open-air studio kitchen on-site.
Guests prepare three courses alongside the chef instructor.
No previous experience is necessary because participants will be guided through every step.
They take home the recipes they learn.
It is an experience for seasoned cooks, amateurs, and families.
This class is 2.5 hours long.
It costs $295 per person.
Contact Information
- Address: 635 Alder Street, Juneau, AK, 99801
- Phone: (907) 723-4202
- Website: https://www.jorgensonhouse.com
#7Culinary Institute of America
Culinary classes are also available online.
About the School
The Culinary Institute of America offers a variety of online programs for students who are looking to upgrade their resumes and improve their career prospects.
The online degrees are designed for food industry professionals.
Master’s programs that include short residencies at the school’s California and New York campuses are available.
The bachelor’s program is delivered exclusively online.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor’s Degree is designed for CIA Associate Graduates Only.
To qualify for admission into the program, students need to have at least four years of full-time, progressive work experience after graduating from the institute’s associate degree program.
This gives them the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without interrupting their work schedule.
Students get comprehensive food-specific skills.
They explore topics such as economics, sustainability of food systems, and key principles of business leadership.
Up to 30 transfer credits from a college other than CIA can be applied to complete the degree even faster.
Contact Information
- Address: 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2102, San Antonio, TX 78215
- Phone: 800-CULINARY
- Website: https://www.ciachef.edu
#8Bauman College
About the School
Bauman College offers a Holistic Chef program that can be completed online.
The program helps students become professional holistic chefs in 12 months.
The online program teaches students to prepare fresh, nutritious, and delicious foods using sustainable ingredients and practices.
Courses Offered
The program combines professional culinary techniques with a nutrition-centered approach to food preparation- in addition to teaching the business skills they need to advance their careers.
The curriculum and culinary classes include entrepreneurial lessons that give students the tools to succeed as professional chefs.
The college offers its students the opportunity to work in a real-world environment in their home region and prepare them to enter the workforce after completing the Holistic Chef program.
The culinary arts program is available to all residents of Delaware.
Contact Information
- Address: 5900 Doyle Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
- Phone: (800) 987-7530
- Website: https://baumancollege.org
#9Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
About the School
An online program is also provided by Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, a school that offers a business-focused curriculum with programs that may include topics in business and entrepreneurship.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The following paths are available:
- Culinary Arts
- Plant-Based Culinary Arts
- Baking & Pastry Arts
- Holistic Nutrition & Wellness
- Food Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management
Escoffier offers an online Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations and an Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts.
The programs provide students with a basic understanding of culinary techniques and practical business skills that can set them apart from their peers.
Students can complete their training in 60 weeks.
The online culinary arts programs are designed to work with students’ schedules.
An online diploma in Professional Pastry Arts and an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in Baking & Pastry are also available.
Diploma courses include:
- Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry
- Menu Design and Management
- Contemporary Pastry Arts
- Foundations of Bread
- Foodservice Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 637 South Broadway, Suite H, Boulder, CO 80305
- Phone: 877-249-0305
- Website: https://www.escoffier.edu
#10Institute of Culinary Education
About the School
The Institute of Culinary Education helps students launch their careers in culinary arts by offering classes in New York, Los Angeles, and online.
The campus features 38,000 square feet of space dedicated to learning, innovation, and creativity.
Courses Offered
The following diplomas and degrees are available online:
- Culinary Arts and Food Operations
- Health Centered Culinary Arts & Food Operations
- Baking and Pastry Arts & Food Operations
- Restaurant & Culinary Management
- Associate Degree: Culinary Arts & Food Operations
- Associate Degree: Baking and Pastry Arts & Food Operations
- And more
The Culinary Arts and Food Operations program provides students with comprehensive and convenient online culinary school training.
The 900-hour intensive culinary school curriculum explores the theory, science, technique, plate development, and culinary business fundamentals.
Contact Information
- Address: 225 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10281
- Phone: (888) 354-CHEF
- Website: https://www.ice.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Alaska
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$32K
|
|
|
$60K
|
|
|
$89K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Alaska
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 400 | $58,990 | $28.36 | $86,380 | $31,480 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | 90 | $53,320 | $25.63 | $88,080 | $31,150 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to transform your passion for food into a rewarding career, the schools included in our list are designed to prepare you for a career in a restaurant, bakeries, catering companies, and other similar settings.
Now that you have read our list of the best culinary and baking schools available to residents of Alaska, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
