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 Arkansas.
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 Arkansas was $55,050 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $27,940 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, and skilled cooks and chefs will be needed in order to prepare them.
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 a restaurant, bakery, or another establishment that serves food by completing a certificate or degree program offered by one of the schools in our list.
Program duration ranges between a few months and a few years, depending on the credential you want to pursue.
Many schools offer flexible schedules, so students are able to keep their jobs while preparing for a new career.
#1South Arkansas College
About the School
South Arkansas College offers a variety of career and technical education programs, including a Culinary Arts program.
This pathway includes short-term training programs that help students step into any kitchen, work with suppliers, and lead professionals across the foodservice industry.
The non-credit and professional programs are available in four formats:
- Bootcamps and workshops
- ServSafe Certifications
- Corporate Team Building
- Community Education
Mid-day boot camps and workshops are offered throughout each semester and focus on specific skills to help students develop their culinary abilities.
Topics such as knife skills, menu planning, flavors & flavorings, stocks and sauces, meats, seafoods, vegetables, sandwiches, and many more are covered.
An eight-hour ServSafe certification class is available for those who want to earn or renew their certification.
Contact Information
- Address: 300 South West Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730
- Phone: 870-862-8131
- Website: https://www.southark.edu
#2University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech
About the School
University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech offers a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute with the mission to deliver education, experience, and excellence through high-quality academic programs.
The institute is committed to providing students with a positive, comprehensive, and challenging hands-on experience to prepare them for exciting positions in the culinary arts and hospitality fields.
The programs offered include:
- Baking and Pastry
- Culinary Arts
- Hospitality Management
- Dietary Management
- 3D Program
The Baking and Pastry program can offer the following credentials:
- Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
- Technical Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts
- Certificate of Proficiency in Cake Decorating
- Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Pastry Techniques
Costs vary depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
An Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts includes tuition and fees that sum up to $18,900.
The approximate cost for a Technical Certificate in Dietary Management is $7,925 for tuition and fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Phone: (501) 812-2200
- Website: https://uaptc.edu
#3Northwest Arkansas Community College
About the School
Northwest Arkansas Community College offers a variety of degrees and certificates that help students fulfill their educational and career goals.
The college has a Center for the Study of Food in Brightwater.
The center was conceived to be more than a typical culinary school.
It offers holistic programming with academic and career training in the areas of culinary nutrition, artisanal food, beverage management, and food entrepreneurship.
World-class training is available for individuals, students, and professionals at any point in their journey into the world of food.
Academic programs are available in the following fields:
- Artisanal Food
- Baking and Pastry
- Artisanal Butchery
- Culinary Arts
Associate in Applied Science, Certificate of Proficiency, and Technical Certificate options are available.
The curriculum and duration vary depending on the credential you want to pursue.
A Technical Certificate in Culinary Arts requires the completion of courses such as:
- Food Systems
- Food Safety
- Foundations
- Sauces
- Methods
- Culinary Nutrition
- Baking
- Beverage Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712
- Phone: 479.986.4000
- Website: https://www.nwacc.edu
#4University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
About the School
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers a Culinary Medicine program that blends the art of food and cooking with medicine.
The program follows a “Health Meets Food” curriculum developed by the American College of Culinary Medicine.
The Teaching Kitchen features recipes that align with the renowned Mediterranean Diet, prioritizing a plant-based approach.
The curriculum incorporates a blend of didactic sessions and immersive, hands-on experiences in the kitchen to ensure a dynamic and comprehensive learning journey.
Students gain theoretical knowledge while also developing practical culinary skills and learn how to apply nutrition principles in real-world settings.
Culinary Medicine teaches healthcare professionals how nutrition and culinary practices intersect with health outcomes.
Contact Information
- Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
- Phone: (501) 686-7000
- Website: https://culinarymedicine.uams.edu
#5Honeycomb Kitchen Shop
About the School
Honeycomb Kitchen Shop offers cooking classes for all skill levels.
The classes cover different types of cuisines.
The Kitchen is equipped with six workstations where participants learn, hands-on, from local culinary talent.
Courses Offered
Available are public cooking classes such as:
- Tamale Workshop
- Easter Lamb
- Comforting Cajun Classics
- Spring Floral Cake Decorating
- Bites & Bottles: Italian Wine Pairing
- Gnocchi Know-How
- Middle Eastern Breakfast
- Pasta 101
- Making Macarons
- And more
Costs range from $50 to $100, depending on the class.
Private cooking classes are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 213 W. Walnut Street, Rogers, AR 72756
- Phone: 479-340-1022
- Website: https://honeycombkitchenshop.com
#6Brightwater
About the School
Brightwater is a center for the study of food.
It offers uniquely holistic programming with academic and career training in culinary nutrition, artisanal food, beverage management, and food entrepreneurship.
The following programs are available:
- Artisanal Food
- Baking & Pastry
- Artisanal Butchery
- Culinary Arts
Brightwater is an academic department of NorthWest Arkansas Community College.
The Baking and Pastry program equips students with the foundation they need to confidently build their skill set and become pastry chefs, bakery owners, cake decorators, food scientists, and other related careers.
The school has state-of-the-art equipment, such as a grain mill, chocolate tempering machine, industrial ice cream maker, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 801 SE 8th St #71, Bentonville, AR 72712
- Phone: 479.631.8600
- Website: https://brightwater.nwacc.edu
#7Nossi College of Art & Design
About the School
Nossi College of Art & Design offers a Culinary Arts Degree that leads to an Associate in Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts degree.
The average culinary arts class size is 12 students.
Students can graduate in two years and begin their career journey.
The degree program provides hands-on experience in two commercial kitchens, personalized mentoring from industry professionals, and the chance to participate in real-world projects.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Fundamental Culinary Techniques
- Introduction to Baking Basics
- Pastry Science
- Contemporary Math
- American Cuisine
- International Cuisine
- Kitchen
- Culinary Capstone
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 590 Creative Way, Nashville, TN 37115
- Phone: 615-514-2787
- Website: https://nossi.edu
#8Arkansas State University- Newport
About the School
Arkansas State University- Newport offers a Culinary Arts program that leads to a Technical Certificate.
The program offers comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and restaurant operations.
It covers advanced cooking methods, including baking, pastry arts, and international cuisine.
Students learn:
- Kitchen organization
- Food costing
- Menu development
The curriculum includes practical experience in a professional kitchen setting, where students can apply their skills in a professional kitchen setting.
The program is 16 weeks long.
Students develop skills such as:
- Mise en place practices for front-of-house and back-of-house
- Identify sanitation, safety codes, and procedures needed to maintain a safe food service facility
- Develop menus for various food-style operations
- Apply meat fabrication techniques
- Knowledge of banquets and catering
- And many more
Arkansas State University- Newport is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: Newport, Arkansas, 7648 Victory Blvd.
- Phone: (870) 512-7800
- Website: https://www.asun.edu
#9Pea Ridge High School
About the School
Pea Ridge High School offers a Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management program designed for students who want to level up their cooking skills.
Students learn how to make awesome meals, from basic skills to pro-level techniques.
The culinary classes focus on hands-on learning and give students the chance to practice their cooking skills, try out new recipes, and build their confidence with every dish.
The following courses are included in the program:
- Food Safety & Nutrition- 8th grade
- Culinary & Restaurant Management I or Food Safety and Nutrition- Sophomore
- Culinary & Restaurant Management II or Culinary & Restaurant Management I- Junior students
- Career Practicum or Culinary Restaurant Management II- Senior students
Contact Information
- Address: 1925 W. Pickens Rd, Pea Ridge, AR 72751
- Phone: 479-451-8182
- Website: https://www.pearidgek12.com
#10Bauman College
About the School
Bauman College offers a Holistic Chef program in Arkansas.
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 students need in order 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.
Contact Information
- Address: 5900 Doyle Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
- Phone: (800) 987-7530
- Website: https://baumancollege.org
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Arkansas
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$35K
|
|
|
$56K
|
|
|
$85K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Arkansas
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 260 | $65,040 | $31.27 | $102,080 | $38,700 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 50 | $48,380 | $23.26 | $67,900 | $29,970 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 50 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 260 | $50,010 | $24.04 | $77,630 | $35,820 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about baking and cooking and you want to turn this passion into a full-time career, the schools included in our list can prepare you with the skills and credentials that will get you job-ready in less than two years.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and decide what format best fits your schedule, budget, and career aspirations.
