If you want to start a career in the culinary field in Kentucky, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in your state.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training, certificate programs, and associate degrees, preparing students for careers as bakers, 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 head cooks in Kentucky was $47,280 as of May 2023.
Bakers reportedly made $35,060 per year, on average.
These professions are expected to grow in the future at a rate that is higher than the average for all occupations.
As more restaurants and dining places are expected to open, the demand for high-quality dishes will grow, and employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States 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.
If these sound like your dream careers, you can start preparing for employment by completing a certificate or degree program offered by one of the schools in our list.
#1Somerset Community College
About the School
Somerset Community College offers a Culinary Arts program designed for students who have a passion for food.
Students are guided toward their culinary goal by dedicated staff and chefs.
Courses Offered
The following degree, diploma, and certificate options are available:
- Culinary Arts Degree- 66 credit hours
- Food and Beverage Management Degree- 68 credit hours
- Catering and Personal Chef Degree- 68 credit hours
- Diplomas
- Culinary Arts- 53 credit hours
- Food and Beverage Management- 68 credit hours
- Catering and Personal Chef- 50-55 credit hours
- Certificates
- Baking- 12 credit hours
- Culinary Arts Professional Development- 12 credit hours
- Catering- 16 credit hours
- Farm to Table- 21 credit hours
- Fundamentals of Culinary Arts- 16 credit hours
- Food and Beverage Management- 34 credit hours
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 808 Monticello Street, Somerset, KY 42501
- Phone: (877) 629-9722
- Website: https://somerset.kctcs.edu
#2Harding County Schools- EC3
About the School
Culinary courses are taught at EC3 and offer articulated credit through Sullivan University and dual credit through Elizabethtown Community & Technical College.
The program has the following prerequisites:
- Foods and Nutrition or Intro to Culinay Arts
- Culinary Arts I
- Culinary Arts II
Students choose one credit from:
- FACS Essentials and/or Servsafe
- Advanced Foods and Nutrition
- Internship: Culinary Arts
The Special Topics in Culinary Arts-ServSafe program is open to students in grades 10th, 11th, or 12th.
The Culinary Arts I and II programs are open to students in grades 11th and 12th.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 University Dr. Elizabethtown, KY 42701
- Phone: 270-769-7930
- Website: https://ec3.hardin.kyschools.us
#3Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College
About the School
Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College offers a Culinary Arts program with the following degree, diploma, and certificate options:
- Culinary Arts AAS- Food and Beverage Management Track
- Food and Beverage Management Diploma
- Certificates:
- Advanced Food and Beverage Management Certificate
- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Arts Professional Development
- Food and Beverage Management
- Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
The Food and Beverage Management Diploma includes courses such as:
- Garde Manger
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Food Production
- Basic Baking
- Human Relations Management
- Cost and Control
- Front of the House
- Principles of Marketing
- And more
In total, students need between 49 and 54 credits for a diploma.
Contact Information
- Address: 300 North Main Street, Versailles, KY 40383
- Phone: (877) 528-2748
- Website: https://kctcs.edu
#4Mountwest Community and Technical College
About the School
Located in Huntington, West Virginia, Mountwest Community and Technical College offers a Culinary Arts curriculum that is designed to develop and provide intensive professional and practical experience and background with a hands-on approach.
The program blends in-class lecture theory, hands-on application, and in-field lab practicum placement.
Courses Offered
Program learning outcomes include:
- Develop and follow standardized processes and procedures for operations within a kitchen facility
- Apply classical and modern cooking techniques in a variety of cuisines
- Sanitation and Safety practices in kitchens
- Proper knife care and handling in kitchen settings
- Basic culinary weight, volume measuring, and recipe conversions
- Design and prepare a well-composed dinner plate
- The importance of food safety management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One Mountwest Way, Huntington, WV 25701
- Phone: 304-710-3140
- Website: https://www.mctc.edu
#5Sullivan University
About the School
Sullivan University helps students cultivate their culinary skills and prepares them for their dream career by providing immersive training and mentoring from established chefs.
The programs are designed for students who want to land a position in a trendy restaurant, own their own business, or pursue their passion for food.
Students get the hands-on skills and practical knowledge they need to unleash their creativity in the kitchen.
Courses Offered
The following culinary programs are available at the university:
- A.S. Culinary Arts
- Professional Cook Diploma
- Culinary Arts Certificate
The Culinary Arts Certificate program includes the following courses:
- Basic Culinary Skills Laboratory
- Food Service Sanitation
- Basic Nutrition
- Basic Culinary Theory
- Hospitality Management and Supervision
- Principles of Mathematics
The certificate takes between 6 and 9 months to complete.
Sullivan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Contact Information
- Address: 3101 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205
- Phone: (800) 844-1354
- Website: https://www.sullivan.edu
#6Jefferson Community and Technical College
About the School
Jefferson Community and Technical College offers programs for students who are starting college for the first time and for those who are thinking about a career change.
The college provides associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Jefferson Community and Technical College is designed to prepare students for careers in the Culinary Arts, Food and Beverage Management, Restaurant Management, Catering, Institutional Food Service, and as Professional Chefs.
The courses cover a broad spectrum:
- The preparation of basic and specialized foods
- Catering and special event planning
- International cuisine
- Baking and pastry arts
- Nutrition
- Sanitation
- Management techniques and functions
- And more
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Culinary Arts AAS- Catering and Personal Chef Track
- Culinary Arts AAS- Culinary Arts Track
- Culinary Arts AAS- Food and Beverage Management Track
- Certificates:
- Advanced Catering Certificate
- Advanced Culinary Arts Certificate
- Baking Certificate
- Catering Certificate
- Farm to Table Certificate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 109 East Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
- Phone: (502) 213-5333
- Website: https://jefferson.kctcs.edu
#7Ashland Community and Technical College
About the School
Ashland Community and Technical College offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Tuition is $195 per credit hour for resident students.
Dual credit students pay $97 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Ashland Community and Technical College uses the teaching philosophy of the American Culinary Federation, the Academy of Chefs, and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation.
Students work in a commercial kitchen/laboratory and dining room as they learn:
- The preparation of basic and specialized foods
- Catering and special event planning
- International cuisine
- Baking and pastry arts
- Nutrition
- Sanitation
- And more
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Culinary Arts- Associate in Applied Science-60-67 degrees
- Catering and Personal Chef- Diploma: 50-55 total credit hours
- Culinary Arts Diploma- 48-53 total credit hours
- Food and Beverage Management- Diploma: 49-54 credits
- Advanced Catering Certificate: 41-44 total credits
- Advanced Culinary Arts Certificate: 42-47 credits
- Baking- Certificate- 12 total credit hours
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1400 College Dr, Ashland, KY 41101
- Phone: (606) 326-2000
- Website: https://ashland.kctcs.edu
#8West Kentucky Community & Technical College
About the School
West Kentucky Community & Technical College offers a Culinary Arts program that helps students turn their passion for food and cooking into a career path.
Tuition for resident students is $195 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
The following credential options are available at the college:
- Culinary Arts AAS- Catering and Personal Chef Track
- Culinary Arts AAS- Culinary Arts Track
- Culinary Arts AAS- Food and Beverage Management Track
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Food and Beverage Management Diploma
- Advanced Catering Certificate
- Advanced Culinary Arts Certificate
- Baking Certificate
- Culinary Arts Certificate
- Fundamentals of Culinary Arts Certificate
- And more
The Fundamentals of Culinary Arts Certificate includes the following courses:
- Introduction to Culinary Arts or Applied Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Garde Manger
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Food Production
- Basic Baking
In total, this program awards 16 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 300 North Main Street, Versailles, KY 40383
- Phone: (877) 528-2748
- Website: https://kctcs.edu
#9Salvation Army Louisville
About the School
Salvation Army Louisville offers a Culinary Arts workforce development program for those interested in finding work in the culinary industry.
This is a free five-week class.
The program includes hands-on learning that provides students with the basics, including:
- Cooking techniques
- Safe knife handling
- Recipes
- Food Safety
- Salad prep
- Soups
- And more
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- No previous experience is required
Space is limited, and applicants must attend an interview.
Contact Information
- Address: 1010 Beecher St., Louisville, KY 40215
- Phone: 502-361-2397
- Website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org
#10Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
Elizabethtown Community & Technical College offers a variety of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program available at Elizabethtown Community & Technical College offers a curriculum that leads to positions in agencies and institutions that provide social and community activities.
The following degree options are offered:
- Associate in Applied Science:
- Culinary Arts- Catering and Personal Chef
- Culinary Arts- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Arts- Food and Beverage Management
- Catering and Personal Chef Diploma
- Food and Beverage Management Diploma
- Advanced Catering Certificate
- Advanced Culinary Arts Certificate
- Baking- Certificate
- Catering Certificate
- Fundamentals of Culinary Arts Certificate
- And more
The Culinary Arts Certificate includes between 32 and 35 credits and classes on:
- Garde Manger
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Baking
- Meats, Seafood, & Poultry
- Cost and Control
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 600 College Street Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
- Phone: (270) 769-2371 or 1 (877) 246-2322
- Website: https://elizabethtown.kctcs.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Kentucky
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$27K
|
|
|
$51K
|
|
|
$87K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Kentucky
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 60 | $48,970 | $23.55 | $77,590 | $25,210 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 40 | $38,420 | $18.47 | $60,740 | $18,640 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 260 | $58,400 | $28.08 | $102,830 | $26,480 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 780 | $52,260 | $25.13 | $92,040 | $27,110 |
| Owensboro, KY | 30 | $43,410 | $20.87 | $66,790 | $25,040 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become ready for employment in a restaurant or another establishment that serves food, you can start by researching the schools included in our list.
Choose the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations after gaining information about all the factors that are relevant to you.
