If you’re passionate about food and cooking and you want to turn your passion into a rewarding career, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in Arizona.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training, certificate programs, and associate degrees, preparing students for careers as station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and other food service specialist roles.
The programs focus on teaching skills such as: food preparation, culinary safety and sanitation, baking principles, contemporary cuisine, and more.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in Arizona was $70,130 as of May 2023- higher than the national average for this profession, while bakers reportedly made $36,530 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.
You can start preparing for employment in the culinary or baking field by completing a certificate or degree program offered by one of the schools in our list.
#1Arizona Culinary School
About the School
Arizona Culinary School offers hands-on culinary training in a professional kitchen environment.
Students enrolled in this program learn by doing.
They work with professional equipment and real ingredients from the first day of training.
Students practice knife skills, food preparation, baking techniques, and restaurant operations under the guidance of experienced chefs.
The following programs are available at the school:
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Course in Baking and Pastry- Avocational
The Culinary Arts program includes courses such as:
- Basic Culinary Arts I
- Basic Culinary Arts II
- Saucier & Meat Fabrication
- Baking & Pastry
- Food & Beverage Management and Career Development
- Advance Baking, Pastry & Showpieces
- And more
Class times Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The day program is eight months in length.
Contact Information
- Address: 10585 N 114th St Ste 401, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
- Phone: (866) 965-9728
- Website: https://azculinary.edu
#2Scottsdale Community College
About the School
Scottsdale Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that makes it one of the top colleges in the Southwest U.S. for Culinary Arts in Commercial Baking.
The hands-on programs and student-run restaurant make the program distinct and acclaimed.
The SCC Culinary Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation and is aligned with industry standards and current market trends.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Culinary Arts Block Program
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Commercial Baking and Pastry
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 East Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
- Phone: (480) 423-6000
- Website: https://www.scottsdalecc.edu
#3Arizona Western College
About the School
Arizona Western College offers a Culinary Arts program designed to prepare students for a career in food service.
The certificates and associate degree programs prepare students to advance in their current careers, move into a new job, or start their own business in the field.
Graduates gain experience in:
- Quality food selection and preparation
- Major hazards, sources, and opportunities for contamination in the food service operation
- Preparing glazes, syrups, fillings, creams, ganache, and other sweet sauces and frostings
- Basic skill in menu planning
- Preparing various types of cuisine
- And more
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Culinary Arts Level 1 – CERT Occupational Certificate
- Culinary Arts Level 1 – CERT Occupational Certificate
- Culinary Arts with a Focus in Entrepreneurship – CERT Occupational Certificate
- Culinary Arts – A.A.S. Occupational Degree
Contact Information
- Address: 2020 S Ave 8 E, Yuma, AZ 85365
- Phone: (928) 317-6000
- Website: https://www.azwestern.edu
#4Yavapai College
Yavapai College offers a Culinary Arts program that trains students to work as cooks, line cooks, sous chefs, or caterers.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts Fundamentals Certificate is designed to equip students with basic skills in culinary arts.
The program includes instruction in culinary concepts and terminology, kitchen safety and sanitation, equipment usage, basic nutritional guidelines, standard and metric measurements, food costing, and theory and practice in the production of culinary products.
Courses emphasize:
- Fundamental cooking techniques
- Preparation methods for hot foods
- Breakfast items
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Dressing
- Breads and pastries
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 E. Sheldon Street, Prescott, AZ 86301
- Phone: 928-717-7777
- Website: https://www.yc.edu
#5Pima Community College
About the School
Pima Community College offers high-quality, affordable education that works with students’ schedules.
Transfer options and career-ready programs are available.
Courses Offered
The Culinary and Hospitality program at Pima Community College trains students for success in every corner of the hospitality industry, from the kitchen to the front desk.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Certificate, Baking & Pastry Arts
- Certificate, Hospitality Fundamentals
- Advanced Certificate, Hospitality
The one-year Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate is available in-person and in a hybrid format.
The program is offered at Desert Vista Campus.
Students learn:
- Professional kitchen food production principles
- Baking science basics
- Decorating techniques and pastry, confection, and dessert preparations
- Safe and sanitary food handling practices
Contact Information
- Address: 4905 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85709-1010
- Phone: 520-206-4500
- Website: https://www.pima.edu
#6Estrella Mountain Community College
About the School
Estrella Mountain Community College offers a Culinary Institute that provides students with the opportunity to further their education while receiving hands-on experience in a professional kitchen.
Students also have a path to internship opportunities, a supportive club of peers, and networking opportunities.
Courses Offered
The following degree and certificate options are offered at the college:
- Culinary Arts- Associate in Applied Science
- Commercial Baking and Pastry Certificate of Completion
- Culinary Arts I CCL
- Culinary Arts II CCL
The Commercial Baking and Pastry program includes courses such as:
- Commercial Baking Techniques
- Food Service Sanitation
- Classical Desserts
- Specialty Breads and Breakfast Pastry
- Professional Pastry Techniques
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 North Dysart Road, Avondale, AZ 85392
- Phone: 623-935-8888
- Website: https://www.estrellamountain.edu
#7Evit College and Career
About the School
Evit College and Career offers a Culinary Arts program that gives students the opportunity to work at special events and luncheons in its banquet hall.
The Culinary Arts program includes instruction in:
- Planning, selecting, storing, purchasing, preparing, and serving quality food products
- A la carte and quality cooking
- Prep and etiquette
- Nutritive values
- Safety and sanitation procedures
- Serving techniques
- And more
The following licenses/certifications and credits are available:
- American Culinary Federation Certification
- Arizona Food Handlers Card
- ServSafe Manager
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 W Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Phone: 480-461-4000
- Website: https://www.evit.edu
#8Arizona Virtual Academy
About the School
Arizona Virtual Academy by K12 offers a Culinary Arts career and college prep program that gives students the opportunity to explore the business side of restaurants and food service.
Students prepare for industry-recognized, in-demand certifications and exams:
- Certified Fundamentals Cook
- Certified Fundamental Pastry Cook
- National ProStart Certificate of Achievement
- ServSafe Food Production Manager
- OSHA 10-Culinary Arts
- Arizona Technical Skills Assessment
The program prepares students with the basic skills needed for a career in the food service industry, including:
- The fundamentals of safety and sanitation practice
- Basic knife skills
- Menu planning
- Food production skills
Contact Information
- Phone: 866.339.4946
- Website: https://azva.k12.com
#9Hospitality Training Academy
About the School
Hospitality Training Academy provides free training and best-in-class apprenticeships to prepare people for high-quality, in-demand jobs in the hospitality, food service, leisure, and tourism industries.
The academy connects partner employers in Southern California and the State of Arizona with well-trained workers.
Courses Offered
Line Cook Apprenticeship students learn:
- Basic skills needed to be a line cook in a professional kitchen
- Kitchen math
- Kitchen knife kills
- Cooking techniques
- Academic knowledge of cooking, food, and techniques
- And more
The following programs are also available at the school:
- Barista/Latte Apprenticeship Program
- Bartender/Mixologist Apprenticeship Program
- Pre-Apprenticeship Prep Cook Program
Contact Information
- Address: 1021 S. 7th Avenue, Suite 201, Phoenix, AZ 85007
- Phone: (213) 399-2612
- Website: https://lahta.org
#10Culinary Institute of America
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.
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
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Arizona
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$65K
|
|
|
$96K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Arizona
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 110 | $67,270 | $32.34 | $97,940 | $41,850 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 50 | $53,670 | $25.80 | $78,330 | $36,520 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 2,230 | $68,900 | $33.13 | $101,500 | $42,540 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | 120 | $61,990 | $29.80 | $93,040 | $37,770 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 40 | $50,470 | $24.27 | $76,770 | $35,670 |
| Tucson, AZ | 470 | $61,650 | $29.64 | $87,820 | $36,980 |
| Yuma, AZ | 60 | $55,990 | $26.92 | $76,880 | $36,230 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Before being ready for employment in a restaurant or another establishment that serves food, you have to complete a program that teaches you the required skills for this profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Arizona, the next step is to continue researching and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
