If you want to start a career in the culinary field in the state of Louisiana, 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 station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and other related jobs in the field.
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 Louisiana was $48,930 as of May 2023.
Bakers reportedly made $29,700 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.
Employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034.
As more restaurants and dining places open, the public’s demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
Employment for bakers in the United States is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034.
If you’re passionate about food and cooking, we encourage you to read our list.
#1Nicholls State University
About the School
Nicholls State University offers the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.
The institute is located in the heart of Louisiana’s Bayou Region.
Aspiring chefs who want to work in the food and service industries are invited to pursue a Bachelor of Science or Associate of Science degree in culinary arts at Nicholls.
The program is currently the only post-secondary institution in Louisiana that offers a four-year culinary degree and one of the few in the country.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16 to 1.
Courses Offered
The following concentrations are available:
- Patisserie Concentration
- Professional Concentration
- Service Management Concentration
- Education Concentration
- Mass Communication Culinary Journalism Concentration
- Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
- And more
Students take classes such as:
- Culinary History and Development
- Culinary Foundations
- Meat Identification and Fabrication
- Stocks, Sauces, and Soups
- Garde Manger
- Culinary Arts Internship
- Food Preparation Techniques
- Professional Baking and Pastries
- International Pastry
- Introduction to Wine
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 914 E. 1st Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
- Phone: (985) 493-2700
- Website: https://www.nicholls.edu
#2Louisiana Culinary Institute
About the School
Louisiana Culinary Institute offers Associate degree programs with three concentrations:
- Hospitality and Culinary Management
- Baking and Pastry
- Advanced Culinary Arts
The Baking and Pastry concentration includes courses such as:
- Food Safety and Sanitation
- Professional Cooking
- Restaurant Production and Service
- Bread Basics
- Introduction to Baking and Pastry
- Essentials of Math
- Introduction to Hospitality and Restaurant Management
- Catering and Volume Food Service
- Nutrition
- Wine Fundamentals
- Confections
- Advanced Patisserie Techniques
- And more
Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Students attend a total of 20 hours per week.
Contact Information
- Address: 10550 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
- Phone: 225-769-8820
- Website: https://www.lci.edu
#3South Louisiana Community College
South Louisiana Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts & Occupations program available at South Louisiana Community College is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission.
Students learn a vast array of core concepts, including:
- Knife skills
- Various forms of cookery and techniques
- Cultural cuisines
- Mother sauces
- Recipe and menu development
- Dining room service
- Plating techniques
- And more
The following degree options are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts and Occupations
- Technical Diploma in Culinary Arts and Occupations
Instructors are certified by the American Culinary Federation.
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficient abilities and technical skills in culinary and baking principles
- Display fundamental knowledge of operations, sanitation, and safety
- Professional attributes and ethics in the food service environment
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
- Phone: 337.521.9000
- Website: https://www.solacc.edu
#4New Orleands Culinary and Hospitality Institute
About the School
New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute is a nonprofit organization that equips students with the skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to excel in culinary and hospitality careers.
The institute offers accessible, high-quality education and programs.
Courses Offered
Six-month certificate programs are available at the institute and fuse industry-focused training with an intensive but supportive learning environment.
The Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts tracks cover 25 subjects and nearly 650 hours of intensive hands-on instruction.
The student-to-instructor ratio is 16 to 1.
The faculty includes award-winning chefs.
The coursework includes:
- Food and Kitchen Safety
- Culinary Math
- Knife Skills, Stocks, and Sauces
- Meat & Seafood Fabrication
- Plant-Forward Cuisine
- Garde-Manger
- Banquets & Catering
- Restaurant Planning & Operations
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 725 Howard Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Phone: 504.891.4060
- Website: https://www.nochi.org
#5SOWELA Technical Community College
About the School
SOWELA Technical Community College has a main campus in Lake Charles and site locations in Jennings, Oakdale, and Leesville.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
SOWELA is the first college in Louisiana to award an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Online Culinary Arts.
The program maintains accreditation through the American Culinary Federation and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Applied Science program with a Culinary Arts concentration includes courses such as:
- Essentials of Dining Room Service
- Sanitation and Safety
- Introduction to Culinary Principles
- Nutrition
- Regional Cuisines
- Garde Manger
- Food & Beverage Operations
- And more
Baking and Pastry Arts and Culinary Medicine concentrations are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles, LA 70615
- Phone: (337) 421-6565
- Website: https://www.sowela.edu
#6New Orleans School of Cooking
About the School
New Orleans School of Cooking gives students the opportunity to enjoy the fun, food, and folklore of New Orleans in a cooking class.
Since 1980, the school has introduced countless visitors from around the world to the food and rich culture of New Orleans and Louisiana.
Courses Offered
Hands-on cooking classes are available for students who are at least 18 years of age.
Classes are three hours long and cost $149.
The classes are limited to 10 students per class.
A cooking class includes three hours of immersive culinary learning, where students get to create two flavorful Cajun or Creole dishes plus a delicious dessert supervised by one of the school’s world-class instructors.
The school gives students access to five cooktops.
The chefs are expertly trained in Creole and Cajun cuisines.
Participants learn new recipes and savory main dishes and tasty desserts like Bananas Foster and Crepes while hearing about the interesting history of New Orleans.
Contact Information
- Address: 524 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Phone: (504) 525-2665
- Website: https://neworleansschoolofcooking.com
#7Delgado Community College
About the School
Delgado Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that was founded in 1921.
The program is one of the college’s oldest and premier programs in New Orleans.
The college offers affordable tuition and financial aid for students who qualify.
Students get to work in the best restaurants in New Orleans while they learn.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts:
- Professional Culinarian
- Baking & Pastry Arts
- Certificate of Professional Studies
- Culinary Management
- Culinary Arts: Line Cook
- Pastry Arts
Tuition for the two-year program is approximately $12,000, while a one-year certificate costs approximately $5,000.
Contact Information
- Address: 615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Phone: 504-671-5000
- Website: https://www.dcc.edu
#8Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
About the School
Culinary Arts and Baking programs are also available online, at schools located in other states.
One such program is provided by Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, a school that offers a business-focused curriculum with programs that may include topics in business and entrepreneurship.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The following paths are available:
- Culinary Arts
- Plant-Based Culinary Arts
- Baking & Pastry Arts
- Holistic Nutrition & Wellness
- Food Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management
Escoffier offers an online Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations and an Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts.
The programs provide students with a basic understanding of culinary techniques and practical business skills that can set students apart from their peers.
Students can complete their training in 60 weeks.
The online culinary arts programs are designed to work with students’ schedules.
An online diploma in Professional Pastry Arts and an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in Baking & Pastry are also available.
Diploma courses include:
- Fundamentals of Baking and Pastry
- Menu Design and Management
- Contemporary Pastry Arts
- Foundations of Bread
- Foodservice Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 637 South Broadway, Suite H, Boulder, CO 80305
- Phone: 877-249-0305
- Website: https://www.escoffier.edu
#9Bauman College
About the School
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.
This gives them 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 Louisiana
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$22K
|
|
|
$44K
|
|
|
$77K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Louisiana
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 50 | $71,930 | $34.58 | $109,280 | $20,370 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 270 | $45,670 | $21.96 | $75,590 | $22,060 |
| Hammond, LA | 40 | $39,880 | $19.17 | $64,730 | $19,270 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 90 | $37,870 | $18.21 | $70,190 | $20,600 |
| Lafayette, LA | 180 | $36,210 | $17.41 | $59,090 | $26,580 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 50 | $40,250 | $19.35 | $65,640 | $19,930 |
| Monroe, LA | 40 | $36,880 | $17.73 | $61,940 | $19,920 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 700 | $47,390 | $22.79 | $77,740 | $22,500 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 140 | $40,050 | $19.25 | $63,170 | $27,010 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 120 | $41,860 | $20.12 | $64,570 | $20,170 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Before being ready for employment in a restaurant or another establishment that serves food, you have to complete a program that teaches you the required skills for this profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Louisiana, the next step is to continue researching and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
