If you want to start an exciting, hands-on career in a restaurant, on this page, we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in Indiana and the programs they offer.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training programs that prepare students for employment in establishments that serve food.
Before being ready for your first job as a chef, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Checking ingredients
- Following safety and sanitation standards
- Planning menus
- Inspecting supplies
- Monitor sanitation practices
- Ordering and maintaining an inventory of foods
- And more
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in Indiana was $56,180 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $34,960 per year, on average.
Employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
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, also faster than the average for all occupations.
If you’re passionate about food and you want to turn your passion into a rewarding career, we encourage you to read our list and find out more about culinary and baking schools in Indiana.
#1Ivy Tech Community College
About the School
Ivy Tech Community College offers a Culinary Arts/ Hospitality Administration & Events program that gives students the opportunity to receive a world-class education on state-of-the-art equipment and prepare for the workforce.
The skills taught vary across the college’s associate degrees and certificate programs, but students typically:
- Practice working effectively in teams
- Gain industry-specific knowledge and skills
- Strengthen their written and oral communication skills
- Grow their customer service skill set
- Develop advanced knife, tool, and equipment handling skills
- Draw upon food preparation and baking science principles to create food products
- Learn the skills needed to work as professional pastry culinarians
- Study bakery merchandising techniques
- And more
The following credential types are available:
- Hospitality Administration AAS
- Culinary Arts AAS
- Baking and Pastry Arts Long-Term Certificate
- Culinary Arts Long-Term Certificate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1105 N. 19th St., Elwood, IN 46036
- Phone: 888-489-5463
- Website: https://www.ivytech.edu
#2Vincennes University
Vincennes University is a premier learning institution that offers a broad range of high-quality programs.
The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts- Baking and Pastry Arts Concentration provides:
- Experienced and engaging instructors who help students learn the techniques to prepare first-class cuisine or manage world-class accommodations.
- Students train in a professional-grade kitchen and learn to meet the public’s needs and expectations as part of the classroom experience.
- Classes are small to enable students to participate fully in activities and discussions and to seek out extra help when needed.
Tuition and fees sum up to approximately $3,600 per semester for resident students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1002 North First Street, Vincennes, Indiana 47591
- Phone: 812-888-VUVU | 800-742-9198
- Website: https://www.vinu.edu
#3Area 31 Career Center
About the School
Area 31 Career Center offers a Culinary Arts & Hospitality program that trains students to plan, figure costs, manage, prepare, and serve food in commercial and semi-public institutions.
The center offers classroom activities and the chance to operate during lunch hour.
The training covers all phases of food preparation and serving.
Students have the opportunity to serve their peers and staff members through the Harvest restaurant.
Courses Offered
The program offers the following two sequences:
- Year 1- Culinary Arts & Hospitality- a two-semester class that offers three credits per semester
- Year 2- Advanced Culinary Arts- a two-semester class that offers three credits per semester
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Quantity Food Production
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Food Service Sanitation
- Pastry and Bake Shop Production
- Quantity Food Purchasing
- Haute Cuisine and Special Food Items
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214
- Phone: (317) 988-7230
- Website: https://www.area31careercenter.com
#4LaPorte County Career & Technical Education
About the School
LaPorte County Career & Technical Education offers 15 innovative programs designed to prepare students for the future.
Classes are available for seniors from seven area high schools at its two locations.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Academy available at LaPorte provides students with the chance to gain hands-on experience in food preparation, safety and sanitation, management, customer service, and catering.
Students get to develop workplace skills that are key to success in the hospitality industry.
The program has a baking lab and a hydroponic farm.
The curriculum includes:
- Principles of Culinary and Hospitality- three credits
- Basic Food Theory and Skills- a three-credit course
- Nutrition- three credits
- Soups, Stocks, and Sauces- a three-credit course
- Introduction to Baking- three credits
- Pantry and Breakfast- three credits
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 817 Lafayette Street (A. K. Smith Campus), Michigan City, IN 46360
- Phone: (219) 873-2120
- Website: https://cte.educatemc.net
#5J. Everett Light Career Center
About the School
J. Everett Light Career Center provides local high school students with programs that give them the opportunity to explore their passion in an innovative, hands-on, and real-world environment.
JELCC provides more than 20 different, career-focused classes using a holistic, hands-on approach.
The curriculum is driven by rigorous career and college-ready standards in combination with state-of-the-art equipment.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program available at the center can be completed in one or two years.
Students attend classes three hours per day.
During the first year, students learn all the basics of cooking.
The second year focuses on international foods, baking and pastry, entrepreneurship, and hospitality.
Students have the opportunity to work in an on-site restaurant.
They also have the opportunity to be ServSafe certified.
Contact Information
- Address: 1901 E 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240
- Phone: 317-259-5265
- Website: https://www.jelcc.com
#6FWCS Career Academy
About the School
FWCS Career Academy supports students across Northeast Indiana, including those from 17 area high schools.
The academy offers a wide range of career and technical programs.
The programs focus on hands-on learning with modern technology, building a strong work ethic, encouraging respect for diversity, and inspiring students.
Students enhance their education with real-world, hands-on experience.
While earning their high school diploma, students get to build practical skills in fields like automotive technology, culinary arts, cosmetology, or firefighting.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program available at the Career Academy prepares students for careers in the hospitality and food service industry.
The curriculum combines hands-on culinary training with essential skills in restaurant operations, customer service, food safety, and management.
Students learn about the kitchen and the business side of the industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 S. Barr Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
- Phone: 260-467-1010
- Website: https://careeracademy.fortwayneschools.org
#7Greater Lafayette Career Academy
Greater Lafayette Career Academy also offers a Culinary Arts & Hospitality program available for students in 11th and 12th grades.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Food Theory Skills
- Soups, Stocks, and Sauces
- Nutrition
- Introduction to Baking
- Introduction to Hospitality
The Sanitation and Safety course awards two college credits.
The other courses award three credits each.
Students have the opportunity to earn a ProStart I Certification through the National Restaurant Association and the ServSafe Certification.
Contact Information
- Address: 20 Elston Rd, Lafayette, IN 47909
- Phone: 765-474-2481
- Website: https://www.tsc.k12.in.us
#8Area 30 Career Center
About the School
Area 30 Career Center offers a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program that gives high school students the opportunity to earn six credits per year.
Students in year 1 have the opportunity to attend classes in the morning or the afternoon.
Year 2 classes are p.m. only.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes the following courses:
- Sanitation and Safety- a two-credit class
- Basic Food Theory- a three-credit class
- Nutrition- a three-credit class
- Introduction to Baking- a three-credit class
- Baking Science- a three-credit class
Year 1 students get to build a foundation that prepares them to enter the Advanced Culinary Arts and Advanced Hospitality courses.
Major topics include introduction to the hospitality industry, food safety and personal hygiene, sanitation and safety, basic principles of purchasing, storage, preparation, and more.
Year 2 students are introduced to all segments of hospitality, including a survey of management functions, current trends, and current events within the industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 North Calbert Way, Suite A, Greencastle, IN 46135
- Phone: 765-653-3515
- Website: https://www.area30.k12.in.us
#9Porter County Career & Technical Education
About the School
Porter County Career & Technical Education offers programs open to high school students, offering technical, academic, and employability skills.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts & Hospitality program is a two-year curriculum that offers students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through classroom experiences and paid or unpaid internships in the second year.
The program emphasizes workplace readiness skills in:
- Food preparation
- Safety and sanitation
- Management
- Financial planning of food costs
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Communication
- Responsibility
- Self-confidence
Learning experiences include food preparation, demonstrations, guest speakers, videos, projects, textbook reading, study guides, and tests.
Contact Information
- Address: 1005 North Franklin Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383
- Phone: 219-531-3170
- Website: https://pccte.org
#10Supper Cooking Academy
About the School
Supper Cooking Academy offers hands-on cooking classes for every skill level.
Classes are available in the heart of Noblesville, Indiana.
More than 14 class types are available, including:
- Knife Skills Masterclass
- Southern Comfort Classics
- Date Night- Italian Feast
- Louisiana Cajun & Creole
- Brunch Masters
- Steakhouse at Home
- Caribbean Flavors
- Tacos & Mexican Street Food
- Elegant Brunch
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 16095 Prosperity Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060
- Phone: (317) 762-6113
- Website: https://suppercookingacademy.com
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Indiana
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$36K
|
|
|
$60K
|
|
|
$90K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Indiana
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 70 | $61,210 | $29.43 | $104,780 | $42,610 |
| Evansville, IN | 40 | $59,990 | $28.84 | $81,690 | $35,810 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 80 | $56,570 | $27.20 | $79,230 | $35,560 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 370 | $60,940 | $29.30 | $90,570 | $38,170 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 100 | $61,960 | $29.79 | $87,380 | $37,840 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 50 | $73,440 | $35.31 | $96,550 | $37,000 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a chef requires a combination of hands-on experience and formal education.
The schools included in our list can prepare you with the hands-on skills required for entry-level employment.
Now that you have read our list of the best culinary and baking schools in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
