Welcome to our selection of the best culinary and pastry schools in Georgia.
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 Georgia was $55,460 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $31,240 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.
#1College of Coastal Georgia
About the School
The College of Coastal Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
The college also offers credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at College of Coastal Georgia is located within the Golden Isles and provides boundless opportunities for aspiring chefs to hone their craft.
After completing the program, students are able to:
- Apply principles and concepts of quality food purchasing
- Applying the basic principles of culinary service, organization, sanitation, safety, and sustainability
- Demonstrate skills in various areas of the culinary hierarchy
- Discuss the standards of restaurant regulations involving liquor protocol and health and safety regulations
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One College Drive, Brunswick, GA 31520
- Phone: 912-280-7753
- Website: https://www.ccga.edu
#2Lanier Technical College
Lanier Technical College offers tuition-free programs that prepare students for high-demand career opportunities.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Lanier Technical College prepares students for employment within many facets of the food service industry.
Students obtain technical skills training, focusing on:
- Food preparation
- Sanitation
- Nutrition
- Marketing
- Catering
- Management fundamentals
- Work ethics
The program is offered at the Hall campus.
The following program paths are available:
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Baking and Pastry Specialist Certificate
- Culinary Nutrition Assistant Certificate
- Food Production Worker I Certificate
- Prep Cook Certificate
The Baking and Pastry Specialist Certificate can be completed in three semesters and includes courses such as:
- Foundations of Mathematics
- Culinary Safety & Sanitation
- Advanced Baking Principles
- Principles of Cooking
- Foundations of Mathematics
- Culinary Safety & Sanitation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2535 Lanier Tech Drive, Gainesville, GA 30507
- Phone: 770-533-7000
- Website: https://www.laniertech.edu
#3Savannah Technical College
About the School
Savannah Technical College helps students master culinary techniques through its Culinary Institute.
The Culinary Arts programs prepare students for career opportunities in kitchens all over the world.
Students learn from expert chefs with years of experience and get to master culinary techniques for food preparation and presentation.
They take advantage of flexible schedules, including day and evening classes.
The curriculum is taught by industry professionals.
Programs and workshops are designed for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma
- Food Production Worker I Technical Certificate of Credit
- Prep Cook Technical Certificate of Credit
Contact Information
- Address: 5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31405
- Phone: (912) 443-5700
- Website: https://www.savannahtech.edu
#4Gwinnett Technical College
About the School
Gwinnett Technical College offers 4-5 semester programs that are available full-time and give students hands-on training that helps them prepare for the National Restaurant Association ServSafe Certification.
Students learn how to create culinary masterpieces in a professional setting and gain real-world experience.
The program emphasizes technical and theoretical knowledge combined with the practical applications of cooking, baking, serving, and management skills.
The curriculum is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission.
Courses Offered
The coursework includes:
- Fundamentals in culinary arts
- Baking principles
- Culinary practicum
- Fundamentals of restaurant operations, culinary safety, and sanitation
The program also requires students to sit for the National Restaurant Association ServSafe Certification.
Tuition is $107 per credit hour plus fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
- Phone: 770-962-7580
- Website: https://gwinnetttech.edu
#5South Georgia Technical College
About the School
South Georgia Technical College offers a Culinary Arts program that includes the following options:
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Catering Specialist Certificate
- Food Production Worker Certificate
- Prep Cook Certificate
- Restaurant Operations Specialist Certificate
Culinary Arts students take classes such as:
- Foundations of Mathematics
- Introduction to Computer Literacy
- Culinary Safety and Sanitation
- Baking Principles
- Garde Manager
- Culinary Nutrition & Menu Development
- Contemporary Cuisine
- And more
Students need 52 credits for a Diploma and 65 credits for a Degree in Culinary Arts.
The Catering Specialist program includes the following courses:
- Culinary Safety and Sanitation
- Principles of Cooking
- Baking Principles
- Fund/Restaurant Operations
- Garde Manager
- Contemporary Cuisine
Contact Information
- Address: 900 South GA Tech Pkwy, Americus, GA 31709
- Phone: 229-931-2394
- Website: https://www.southgatech.edu
#6Helms College
About the School
Helms College offers a Culinary Arts program in Macon and Augusta.
Students have access to hands-on learning and become prepared to work in the real world.
Hands-on classroom and real-world training is available from passionate teachers.
Students can graduate in 12 months.
The Culinary Arts program offers training in cooking, baking, presentation, kitchen management, and customer service.
Students gain the skills and experiences potential employers are looking for and become prepared to lead and serve in a variety of hospitality operations.
The program prepares graduates for careers as station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and food service specialists.
The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.
Contact Information
- Address: 3145 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907
- Phone: 706.854.4701
- Website: https://www.helms.edu
#7Newton College and Career Academy
About the School
Newton College and Career Academy offers a Culinary Arts pathway that introduces students to fundamental food preparation terms, concepts, and methods in culinary arts, where laboratory practice is combined with class work.
The program covers fundamental techniques, skills, and terminology, with an emphasis on basic kitchen and dining room safety, sanitation, equipment maintenance, and operation procedures.
The courses also provide an overview of professionalism in the culinary industry and career opportunities leading to a pathway in culinary arts.
The curriculum prepares students for positions as chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers.
The pathway culminates with an opportunity for students to take the NOCTI American Culinary Federation end-of-pathway assessment and to earn a junior culinary certificate.
The NCCA Culinary Art program is certified by the American Culinary Federation.
Courses Offered
The courses offered include:
- Intro to Culinary Arts
- Baking and Pastry
- Culinary Arts
Contact Information
- Address: 144 Ram Drive, Covington, GA 30014
- Phone: 678-625-6769
- Website: https://ncca.newtoncountyschools.org
#8Joviat Culinary
About the School
Joviat Culinary offers International Culinary, Bakery and Sommelier Programs: a Mediterranean Treasure program.
Students learn about Catalan cuisine from top-awarded chefs.
Joviat is a historical institute with more than 60 years of experience.
Active learning experiences are available:
- Masterclasses with Michelin-starred chefs
- Field days at the BEST vineyards and cellars
- Show cooking and seasonal local produce at Fundacio Alicia
- Experience the process of making oil
- And more
An Intensive Catalan Cooking program that offers a comprehensive journey through Catalan gastronomic culture and the Mediterranean diet, combining tradition, territory, and creativity.
Students learn through guided tastings, hands-on preparations, visits, and spaces for cultural exchange and gain a global and contemporary perspective on gastronomy.
The program includes 10 teaching days and classes such as:
- Welcome to Catalan Pantry
- Appetizers and Starters
- Mountain Cuisine and Meats
- Desserts and Traditional Sweets
- Wines, Cavas, and Pairings
- And more
Contact Information
- Website: https://joviatculinaryarts.com
#9Georgia Northwestern Technical College
About the School
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offers a Culinary Arts program that teaches Fundamentals of Restaurant Operations.
Students plan and prepare a wide variety of foods for a banquet, while also being trained in dining and beverage service.
Courses Offered
The following Culinary arts programs are available:
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Catering Specialist Certificate
- Food Production Worker I Certificate
- Prep Cook Certificate
The Prep Cook Certificate program includes the following courses:
- Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
- Culinary Safety and Sanitation
- Principles of Cooking
In total, this Certificate requires 12 credit hours for graduation.
Culinary Arts students take classes such as:
- Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
- Culinary Safety and Sanitation
- Principles of Cooking
- Garde Manger
- Baking Principles
- Advanced Baking
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One Maurice Culberson Drive, Rome, GA 30161
- Phone: 866-983-GNTC (4682)
- Website: https://www.gntc.edu
#10Northwest RESA
About the School
Northwest RESA offers a Culinary Arts Endorsement program to ensure that teachers have the skills to instruct students in high-quality Culinary Arts programs.
The program enables Family and Consumer Service teachers to enhance their skills in culinary arts by completing the following three courses:
- Industry Experience in Culinary Arts- 120 hours
- Foundations of Culinary Arts Education- 40 hours
- Instructional Design and Delivery of Culinary Arts Education- 40 hours
The program has objectives such as:
- Recalling terminology, characteristics, and purposes of Culinary Arts Education
- Conceptualize Culinary Arts as a broad educational field
- Demonstrate mastery of essential culinary skills, methods, and techniques
- Designing, developing, and delivering instruction at each level of planning
- Planning and performing a demonstration of a manipulative skill
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3167 Cedartown Hwy SE, Rome, GA 30161
- Phone: (706) 295-6189
- Website: https://www.nwgaresa.com
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Georgia
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$57K
|
|
|
$86K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Georgia
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 40 | $48,740 | $23.43 | $79,980 | $24,130 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 90 | $53,720 | $25.83 | $84,510 | $16,410 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2,770 | $61,190 | $29.42 | $92,070 | $40,190 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 170 | $61,570 | $29.60 | $89,000 | $36,610 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | 130 | $58,830 | $28.28 | $92,830 | $38,760 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 130 | $52,660 | $25.32 | $76,100 | $33,600 |
| Dalton, GA | 40 | $43,110 | $20.73 | $67,690 | $16,490 |
| Gainesville, GA | 80 | $52,510 | $25.25 | $81,270 | $36,680 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | 80 | $50,770 | $24.41 | $78,940 | $27,530 |
| Rome, GA | 30 | $50,210 | $24.14 | $80,980 | $27,630 |
| Savannah, GA | 270 | $55,500 | $26.68 | $88,910 | $33,760 |
| Valdosta, GA | 40 | $50,050 | $24.06 | $74,940 | $23,760 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 50 | $45,440 | $21.84 | $75,530 | $16,840 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about food and you want to start a career in a restaurant, the schools included in our list of the best cooking and baking schools can prepare you for your first job in the field.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Georgia, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
