Welcome to our selection of the best culinary and pastry schools in Idaho.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and head cooks in Idaho was $49,010 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $33,360 per year, on average.
Salaries vary depending on experience, education, location, and industry of employment.
One way to improve your earning prospects as an entry-level employee in this field is by completing a diploma or degree in culinary science or a related field.
The schools included in our list take between a few months and two years to complete and offer hands-on training, certificate programs, and associate degrees, preparing students for employment in a variety of dining establishments.
Before being ready for your first job as a chef, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Cooking techniques
- Checking ingredients
- Safety and sanitation regulations
- Menu planning
- Inspecting supplies
- Ordering and maintaining an inventory of foods
- And more
As more restaurants and dining places are expected to open across the nation, employment for chefs and head cooks is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034.
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 find out more about the culinary and baking schools in Idaho.
#1Sun Valley Culinary Institute
About the School
Sun Valley Culinary Institute offers a professional program that prepares students for a culinary career in Sun Valley.
The one-year Professional Program provides students with hands-on experience, paid externships, and mentorship.
Courses Offered
The one-year program blends classroom learning with hands-on apprenticeship experiences in renowned restaurants throughout the Wood River Valley.
Students learn:
- Sanitation, Safety, Organization & Terminology
- Soft Skills: Timing, Teamwork, Speed & Professionalism
- Critical Food Tasting & Evaluation
- Strong Knife Skills & Basic Butchery
- Cooking Methods
- Menu Execution & Plating Skills
- Introductory Baking & Pastry
- Hot & Cold Sandwiches
- And more
The program includes:
- Two 10-week sessions of intensive learning
- Two four-month paid externships in local restaurants
The program costs $15,000.
Contact Information
- Address: 211 N Main Street, Ketchum, ID 83340
- Phone: 208-913-0494
- Website: https://www.sunvalleyculinary.org
#2College of Southern Idaho
About the School
The College of Southern Idaho offers a Culinary Arts program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science.
The program provides culinary and hospitality education designed to prepare students for many positions in the hospitality industry.
Students prepare with skills and knowledge in:
- Food preparation
- Nutrition
- Menu planning
- Sanitation
- Inventory control
- Purchasing
- And more
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Culinary Arts, Basic Technical Certificate
- Culinary Arts, Intermediate Technical Certificate
- Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
The Basic Technical Certificate includes the following courses:
- The Professional Kitchen I
- Food Sanitation
- Introduction to Food Preparation
In total, students need 15 credits for this program.
Contact Information
- Address: 315 Falls Avenue, PO Box 1238, Twin Falls, ID 83303-1238
- Phone: (208) 733-9554 | (800) 680-0274
- Website: https://www.csi.edu
#3McCall College
About the School
McCall College offers a two-year Culinary Apprenticeship program located in McCall, a place with top-rated restaurants and hotels.
The apprenticeship focuses on letting students practice skills learned in the classroom and giving them the opportunity to gain experience with commercial kitchens and equipment.
The program includes the following credentials:
- Year 1- Certificate in Food Service
- Year 2- Certificate in Culinary Arts
This is a 100% hands-on culinary program focused on getting students truly ready for the foodservice industry.
Students get paid while working a 24-month apprenticeship.
In total, fees for this program sum up to $12,625.
Courses Offered
Students learn about:
- Kitchen safety
- Prepare basic vegetables
- Breakfast
- Introduction to cold foods
- Prepare basic soups
- Intermediate Soups and Sauces
- Menu development
- Introduction to pastry
- Basic yeast doughs and quick reads
- And more
Students must be 18 years of age or older and provide proof of a high school diploma or GED.
Contact Information
- Address: 106 E. Park Street #220, McCall, ID 83638
- Phone: 208-634-3456
- Website: https://www.mccallcollege.org
#4Career Technical Education Center
About the School
Career Technical Education Center offers a Culinary Arts and Hospitality program.
This yearlong course gives students the opportunity to learn about food preparation and basic chef skills.
Students develop a variety of skills, such as:
- Food safety
- Knife handling
- Garnishing and plating techniques
- Proper table setting
- Cake decorating
- And more
Students get to investigate the exciting and developing professions in the culinary industry.
The program explores world cuisine and exotic dishes.
Students have the chance to participate in class cooking competitions.
Contact Information
- Address: 450 E St., Idaho Falls, ID 83402
- Phone: 208-525-7549
- Website: https://ctec.ifschools.org
#5Portneuf Valley Technical Education & Career Campus
About the School
Portneuf Valley Technical Education & Career Campus is a regional career technical education center for southeast Idaho.
The campus introduces students to business partners, learning opportunities, and the opportunity to gain professional development.
Courses Offered
Portneuf Valley Technical Education & Career Campus offers culinary arts courses such as:
- Teen Living A- a course that builds skills in the areas of personal development, human and family development, personal and family financial management, nutrition and wellness, and career choices and skills
- Nutrition and Foods- a program that addresses nutrition and personal lifestyles by including content such as food safety and sanitation, food preparation techniques, meal planning skills, and more
- Introduction to Culinary Arts- this is a course in professional food preparation with practical applications that emphasize career opportunities, reinforced basic skills, food safety and sanitation, use of commercial equipment, business management, and more.
- Basic Bakery- a course that teaches students how to create several baked desserts, biscuits, and breads
- Advanced Culinary Arts- a course that prepares students to enter into employment or post-secondary education in the food production and service industry
- International Cuisine- a course that allows students to explore food served around the world
- Advanced Bakery- a course designed for high school students who have mastered the fundamentals of baking and are ready to expand their skills through complex techniques and creative applications
Contact Information
- Address: 4200 Hawthorne Road, Chubbuck, ID 83202
- Phone: 208-235-6807
- Website: https://pvtec.sd25.us
#6North Idaho College
North Idaho College offers in-person, online, hybrid, and evening classes.
Associate Degrees, Certificates, and dual credit programs are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at North Idaho College provides students with entry-level skills in the foodservice industry.
Students receive instruction in cooking and baking as well as theoretical knowledge.
They have the opportunity to:
- Learn and effectively practice basic and advanced technical skills in food preparation and service
- The principles of food identification, nutrition, and food and beverage composition
- Gain experience in the proper use and maintenance of professional foodservice equipment
- Become familiar with the layout and workflow of professional kitchens and bakeshops
- And more
Students gain real-world experience in the kitchen, dining room, and deli operating Emery’s Restaurant.
The following credentials are available:
- Intermediate Technical Certificate
- Advanced Technical Certificate
- Associate of Applied Science Degree
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 W. Garden Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 USA
- Phone: (208) 769-3300
- Website: https://www.nic.edu
#7West Ada School District
About the School
West Ada School District offers a Culinary Arts program that helps students develop culinary and employability skills using industry-standard curricula.
The program includes introductory ServSafe content to prepare for food safety certification exams.
During their 12th-grade capstone course, students participate in a guided, student-run restaurant that simulates real-world food and beverage operations.
Courses Offered
The pathway course sequence consists of:
- Teen Living- 9th grade
- Foods and Nutrition- 10th grade
- Introductory to Culinary Arts- 11th grade
- Advanced Culinary Arts- 12th grade
Students can graduate from high school with the following industry certifications:
- ACF-Certified Fundamentals Cook or Certified Fundamentals Pastry Cook
- Idaho Food Safety Certificate
- National Restaurant Association ServSafe Food Protection Manager
- National Restaurant Association ServSafe Food Handler
- Ready, Set, Food Safe Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 1303 East Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642
- Phone: 208-855-4500
- Website: https://www.westada.org
#8Payette River Regional Technical Academy
About the School
Payette River Regional Technical Academy offers several programs of study, including:
- Ag/Animal Science
- Ag/Welding
- Art
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Flight
- Culinary Arts
- Digital Media
- Medical Assistant
- Pre-Engineering
- And more
The academy is a Career Technical School that provides top-quality personalized education for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12.
Payette River Regional Technical Academy offers a Culinary Arts program that is coordinated by a seasoned veteran of the hospitality industry, with more than 30 years of experience as a chef and owner.
Contact Information
- Address: 1805 Highway 16, Emmett, ID 83617
- Phone: 208-365-0985
- Website: https://www.pr2ta.com
#9Idaho Digital Learning Alliance
About the School
Idaho Digital Learning Alliance offers an Intro to Culinary Arts course that gives students the basic fundamentals to start working in the kitchen and gain experience as they explore and establish their talents for cooking and preparing food in a creative and safe way.
The course covers careers in the food service industry, basic nutrition, culinary arts safety, kitchen equipment and tools, and important fundamental skills.
The syllabus includes the following units:
- Careers and Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
- Safety and Sanitation
- Kitchen Equipment and Tools
- Fruit, Preparation, and Basic Nutrition
- Protein, Cooking Methods, and Eggs
- Vegetables, Dietary Restrictions, and Sauces, Stocks, and Soups
- Starches, Legumes, Breads, and Plating
- Dairy, Menu Writing, and Final Product Introduction
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 10017 Boise, ID 83707
- Phone: (208) 342-0207
- Website: https://idla.org
#10Season and Taste
About the School
Season and Taste is a recreational cooking school located in downtown Boise, Idaho.
The cooking classes are available to students of all ages and are completely hands-on.
Classes are led by qualified chefs, trained by Chef/Owner Christina Murray.
The school offers techniques that students can replicate in their home kitchen.
From adult to family cooking classes, kids after-school create & take program, season+taste Boise.
Courses Offered
Available are cooking classes such as:
- The Art of Bread Making 101
- Date Night! The Great American Steakhouse
- Roll with Us- Sushi Making 101
- Date Night! Taste of Thai
- Date Night: A Taste of Italy
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 800 W. Main St., Suite 200, Boise, Idaho, 83702
- Phone: 208-258- 5516
- Website: https://www.seasonandtaste.com
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Idaho
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$54K
|
|
|
$79K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Idaho
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 210 | $57,910 | $27.84 | $80,130 | $38,150 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 50 | $56,860 | $27.34 | $77,990 | $39,590 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Learning cooking and baking techniques can be the first step toward an exciting, hands-on career.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Idaho, it’s time to choose the program that best suits you.
This is an important step, so take your time and make sure you choose a school that fits your budget and learning style.
