This page compiles information about the best culinary and baking schools in Hawaii, the top-paying state for chefs and head cooks.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported in this line of work was $99,520 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $43,560 per year, on average, which is higher than the national average for this profession.
As more restaurants and dining places are expected to open, employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034.
Employment for bakers is projected to grow 6 percent, also faster than the average for all occupations.
If you’re passionate about food and cooking, you can start a rewarding career in this field by completing one of the programs offered by the schools in our list.
Programs offer hands-on training and lead to certificates or associate degrees, preparing students for careers as station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and other food service specialist roles.
The training focuses on teaching skills such as: food preparation, culinary safety and sanitation, baking principles, contemporary cuisine, and more.
Students can graduate in a few months or a couple of years, depending on the credential they want to pursue.
We encourage you to read our list to find out more about what Hawaii culinary schools have to offer.
#1Kapi'Olani Community College
About the School
Kapi’Olani Community College is located on the beautiful slopes of Diamond Head crater.
More than 35 programs, online degrees, and academic certificates are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Kapi’Olani Community College offers the following graduation options:
- Associate in Science- Culinary Arts with a specialization in Culinary Arts
- Associate in Science- Culinary Arts with a specialization in Pastry Arts
- Associate in Science- Culinary Arts with a specialization in Institutional Food Service Management
- Certificate of Achievement- Culinary Arts
- Certificate of Competence- Culinary Arts
- Advanced Professional Certificate- Culinary Competition
- Certificate of Competence- Dining Room Services
- Certificate of Competence Pastry Arts
Depending on the path you want to pursue, you will need between 8 and 63 credits for graduation.
A Certificate of Competence in Culinary Arts includes 12 credits and is designed as a one-semester program of study.
This is designed for students who are interested in obtaining entry-level jobs in hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and coffee shop kitchens.
Contact Information
- Address: 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Honolulu, HI 96816
- Phone: (808) 734-9000
- Website: https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu
#2Hawai'i Community College
About the School
Hawai’i Community College has provided high-quality educational opportunities for the Hawai’i Island community for more than 80 years.
The college has campuses in Hilo, Kona, and Hanoka’a.
The college offers a wide range of academic programs, including four-year transfer pathways as well as non-credit options.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Hawai’i Community College is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in hotels, full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, institutions, and private clubs.
The following degrees and certificates are offered:
- Certificate of Achievement Hilo
- Certificate of Achievement Kona
- Associate in Applied Science degree, Hilo
- Associate in Applied Science degree, Kona
Students who want to pursue a Certificate of Achievement need to complete courses such as:
- Introduction to the Culinary Industry
- Sanitation and Safety
- Fundamentals of Cookery
- Food and Beverage Purchasing
- Menu Merchandising
- Fundamentals of Baking
- Cold Food Pantry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono Street · Hilo, HI 96720-5096
- Phone: (808) 934-2800
- Website: https://hawaii.hawaii.edu
#3University of Hawai'i Maui College
About the School
University of Hawai’i Maui College offers a Culinary Arts program that is based on three levels of competencies offered in two specialty areas: Culinary Arts and Baking.
The competency-based instruction focuses on skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for success in the hospitality industry.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are offered:
- Associate of Applied Science:
- Culinary Arts Specialization- 67 credits
- Baking and Pastry Specialization- 77 credits
- Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts- 31 credits
- Certificate of Competence:
- Culinary Arts- 19 credits
- Pastry Cook- 20 credits
The curriculum includes:
- Math for the Culinary Arts
- Sanitation and Safety
- Menu Merchandising
- Fundamentals of Cookery
- Intermediate Cookery
- Batch Cookery
- Fundamentals of Baking
- Dining Room Operations
- Catering Field Experience
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 310 W. Ka’ahumanu Ave, Kahului, Hawaiʻi 96732-1617
- Phone: (808) 984-3500
- Website: https://maui.hawaii.edu
#4Kaua'i Community College
Kaua’i Community College offers lower-division, transfer-level courses for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Courses Offered
The following culinary arts are available at the college:
- Culinary Arts- A.A.S.
- Advance Culinary Arts- C.A.
- Culinary Arts- C.A.
- Culinary Arts- C.O.
- Culinary Arts- Food Prep C.O.
The Certificate of Competence in Culinary Arts– Food Prep program includes eight credits and equips students with the essential skills for entry-level foodservice positions.
Students gain proficiency in:
- Basic Food Preparation Techniques
- Sanitation & Safety Standards
- Excellent Customer Service
Contact Information
- Address: 3-1901 Kaumuali‘i Highway, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766
- Phone: 808.245.8311
- Website: https://www.kauai.hawaii.edu
#5Maui High School
About the School
Maui High School offers a Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation program that includes the following courses:
- Culinary 1- a course that provides an introduction and orientation to a series of related occupations in the food industry, and the qualifications of a successful food service worker
- Culinary 2- a course designed to qualify an individual for entry-level positions in the food industry
The courses include classroom and laboratory experiences.
The training emphasizes quantity, food preparation and service, sanitation, safety, selection and purchasing of food and supplies, storeroom control, management, and care of supplies and equipment.
The program also includes a Culinary Capstone project that reflects the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of senior students in the Public and Human Services Career Pathway.
The senior project provides a venue for seniors to plan and execute an individualized study on a topic of particular interest to them.
Contact Information
- Address: 660 Lono Ave, Kahului, HI 96732, USA
- Phone: (808) 727-4000
- Website: https://www.mauihigh.org
#6Leeward Community College
About the School
Leeward Community College offers programs for students who want to start a four-year degree, train for a new job, or plan to change careers.
The college offers quality education in a supportive environment.
More than 90 programs are offered at the college.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Leeward Community College combines hands-on experiences and classroom instruction to give students the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence and prepare for a wide range of culinary careers.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Associate in Science, Culinary Arts- a 64-credit program
- Certificate of Achievement, Culinary Arts- a program that includes between 30 and 33 credits
- Certificate of Competence, Baking- 10-12 credits
- Certificate of Completion, Dining Room Supervision- 18-19 credits
- Certificate of Competence, Preparation Cook- 12 credits
Contact Information
- Address: 96-045 Ala ‘Ike St. Pearl City, HI 96782
- Phone: (808) 455-0011
- Website: https://www.leeward.hawaii.edu
#7Culinary Institute of the Pacific
About the School
The Culinary Institute of the Pacific offers a New Workforce Development Program in Culinary Arts.
The institute has partnered with the Culinary Institute of America to mark a groundbreaking initiative to foster professional culinary excellence through in-depth, week-long courses that showcase Hawaii-based ingredients in international cuisines.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the Culinary Institute of the Pacific:
- Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry Arts
- Dessert Design in the Hot Kitchen
The Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry Arts courses give students the opportunity to:
- Master foundational baking techniques
- Gain introductory skills in pastry and chocolate work
- Learn essential components: doughs, batters, creams, custards, and glazes
- Explore structure, flavor balance, and presentation in dessert making
- Design and present a final dessert showcasing students’ learning and creativity
Contact Information
- Website: https://culinaryinstitute.hawaii.edu
#8Hana Kitchens
About the School
Hana Kitchens offers state-of-the-art commercial kitchen rentals built for bakers, caterers, meal prep companies, and food manufacturers.
Cooking classes are also available in Honolulu.
Students learn authentic techniques and recipes from chefs who grew up making them.
The classes are designed for date nights, group activities, or home cooks looking to expand their skills.
Students get to learn, cook, and savor their creations in a small-class setting.
Classes change monthly, featuring everything from Italian pasta to Mediterranean favorites and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 55 Merchant Street, 20 Honolulu, HI 96813
- Phone: 808-888-8886
- Website: https://www.hanakitchens.com
#9Bauman College
About the School
Cooking classes are also available online and can be completed from the comfort of your home.
Bauman College offers a Holistic Chef program that helps students become professional holistic chefs in 12 months by completing classes online.
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.
Contact Information
- Address: 5900 Doyle Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
- Phone: (800) 987-7530
- Website: https://baumancollege.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.
They have 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 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 Hawaii
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$70K
|
|
|
$92K
|
|
|
$129K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Hawaii
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 160 | $97,850 | $47.04 | $134,990 | $71,540 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 450 | $90,910 | $43.71 | $124,880 | $70,340 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Hawaii, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
