The food industry is the third-largest industry in the United States and the largest industry in Maine.
If you want to start a career in the culinary field, this state offers plenty of opportunities.
On this page, we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in Maine.
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 Maine was $58,540 as of May 2023.
Bakers reportedly made $37,000 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 are expected to 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.
That being said, we encourage you to read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Maine.
#1Eastern Maine Community College
About the School
Eastern Maine Community College provides post-secondary technical, career, and transfer education.
More than 30 one and two-year program options, as well as short-term and specialized training and retraining courses, are available.
Courses Offered
Eastern Maine Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that provides students with a complete and versatile background in culinary arts.
Students learn about Classical French, International, and American regional cuisines, pastry arts, table-side cookery, advanced garde manger production, and other culinary topics.
They also learn how to apply this knowledge through hands-on experience in the culinary arts kitchen.
Graduates with the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts are ready for front-of-the-house and supervisory responsibilities with the following areas:
- Line cooking, including saute, broiler/grill, fry, and expedition work
- Pre-preparation and preparation work in Garde manger and hot foods, saucier, entremetier, and tournant.
- Menu planning and execution
- Food costing, purchasing, and distribution
- Reservation systems and all phases of dining room position execution
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 354 Hogan Road, Bangor, Maine
- Phone: (207) 974-4600
- Website: https://www.emcc.edu
#2Southern Maine Community College
About the School
Southern Maine Community College offers degree programs, classes, job training, and more.
Degree and certificate programs are available.
The Culinary Arts Associate Degree program at Southern Maine Community College is the only post-secondary culinary program in Maine certified by the American Culinary Federation.
Courses Offered
Students in this program take the following courses:
- Intro to Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism
- Normal Nutrition & Lab
- Culinary Arts Externship
- Menu Planning and Development
- Modern Culinary Trends
- Catering
- International Cuisine
- And more
In total, the program includes 67 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
- Phone: 207-741-5500
- Website: https://www.smccme.edu
#3Central Maine Community College
About the School
Central Maine Community College offers more than 40 academic degrees, certificates, and advanced certificates.
The college also offers evening, online, and hybrid courses.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Central Maine Community College prepares students for careers in culinary arts and food service management, catering, institutional food service, and as chefs.
The program emphasizes hands-on experience to teach students the art of classical French techniques mixed with modern trends.
Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts associate in applied science degree learn:
- Basic and specialized food preparation, baking and pastry arts, and culinary fundamentals.
- A culinary arts certificate is also available and focuses on classical French cooking techniques, menu planning and pricing, and how to cook for the customer’s diet and allergens.
- The program covers basic and artisan breads, pies, cake baking and decorating, mousses, and plated desserts.
Contact Information
- Address: 1250 Turner Street, Auburn, Maine
- Phone: 207.755.5100
- Website: https://www.cmcc.edu
#4Kennebec Valley Community College
About the School
Kennebec Valley Community College offers more than 30 degree and certificate opportunities.
The in-state cost per credit is $96.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Kennebec Valley Community College offers a two-year curriculum that includes basic and advanced food preparation techniques, nutrition, menu planning, kitchen sanitation and safety, food purchasing and storage, and menu serving.
Graduates have in-depth knowledge of sustainable food systems, including where the food comes from, the advantages of buying locally, farming and production methods, and the value of sustainable and ethical ingredients.
A Cooking Skills certificate is also available and helps students build a core of foundational skills that will allow them to enter the food service industry.
This program includes hands-on coursework and prepares students for employment as cooks, cooks’ helpers, and assistant bakers.
Graduates of the Culinary Arts program are expected to:
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a professional kitchen as a cook
- Apply the concepts and techniques of sanitation to a food service environment
- How to use proper purchasing, storage, and costing techniques
- Participate in activities that support a sustainable food system
Contact Information
- Address: 92 Western Avenue, Fairfield, ME 04937
- Phone: (207) 453-5822
- Website: https://www.kvcc.me.edu
#5United Technologies Center
About the School
United Technologies Center is one of Maine’s largest Career and Technical high schools in the Bangor Region.
Eligible high school students can enroll in one or two-year programs and attend morning or afternoon sessions.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at United Technologies Center teaches students how to sculpt flavours, design plates, and explore worldwide cuisine.
Students learn how to express their creativity through taste.
The program develops the following skills:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Nutrition
- Food Preparation
- Grade Manager
- Baking
- Human Relations Management
- Business and Math Skills
- Dining Room Management
- Menu Planning
- Purchasing & Receiving
The following dual enrollment/college credit opportunities are available:
- Food Preparation Sanitation- 3 credits
- Nutrition & Food Quality- 3 credits
- Culinary Sanitation Theory- 3 credits
- Sanitation- 3 credits
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401
- Phone: (207) 942-5296
- Website: https://www.utc4me.org
#6Region Two School of Applied Technology
Region Two School of Applied Technology offers a variety of programs for students who want to pursue careers in carpentry, criminal justice, culinary arts, firefighting, health sciences, and many other in-demand industries.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program blends foundational knowledge with hands-on experience.
The curriculum gives students the opportunity to explore different cuisines, learn advanced cooking techniques, and perfect their presentation.
Students learn how to follow recipes while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a restaurant runs.
They earn ServSafe Food Handler certification and have the opportunity to become a ServSafe Manager.
Students also earn college credits through NOCTI testing, giving them a head start on their future.
The program is designed for those who want to become chefs, run a restaurant, or work in the hospitality industry.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 307, Houlton, Maine 04730
- Phone: 207-532-9541
- Website: https://regiontwo.mainecte.org
#7Capital Area Technical Center
About the School
Capital Area Technical Center offers a diverse range of programs designed to prepare students for success in technical and vocational fields.
The programs available at the center cover a wide spectrum, including automotive technology, culinary arts, health sciences, information technology, construction trades, and more.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts I program teaches basic food preparation and safety, menu planning, baking fundamentals, and proper dining room service techniques through daily lab work.
Students participate in in-house functions, banquet services, and outside catering events coordinated by professional chefs with more than 30 years of combined experience.
The program continues with Culinary Arts II.
This section further trains Culinary I students with advanced techniques in food preparation and baking.
They also gain advanced knowledge of cuisines.
Culinary Arts II students also help in mentoring Culinary I students in basic knowledge of culinary arts.
Students complete a virtual portfolio, perform cooking demonstrations, make advanced sauces, bake complex pastries, and are eligible for hospitality certifications.
Contact Information
- Address: 40 Pierce Dr., Suite 1, Augusta, ME 04330
- Phone: 207-626-2475 ext 3102
- Website: https://www.augustaschools.org
#8Caribou Tech Center
About the School
Caribou Tech Center offers a Culinary Arts program that provides hands-on experience in different areas of food service.
The course is taught in a newly remodeled, stainless-steel-equipped kitchen.
Students cater at school and public functions and work in all areas of food production while learning basic baking and culinary techniques.
The curriculum covers topics such as measurement, knife skills, recipe standardization, nutrition, customer service, and kitchen organization.
Students take the ServSafe exam in the second semester of the program, which is a nationally recognized standard of food safety.
Those who pass receive a ServSafe certificate of completion.
The Culinary Arts curriculum was developed by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association.
Students may also earn three college credits for Culinary or Baking majors at Maine Community College, three credits for Menu Planning and Food Safety with Husson, and one credit of Occupational Safety with NMCC.
Contact Information
- Address: 308 Sweden Street, STE 1, Caribou, ME 04736
- Phone: 207-493-4270
- Website: https://www.rsu39.org
#9Sanford Regional Technical Center
About the School
Sanford Regional Technical Center offers a Culinary Arts program that helps students turn their passion for food into a career through a comprehensive two-year program.
The program is taught by experienced chefs in a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and active restaurant setting.
The first year of training focuses on mastering culinary fundamentals, including classical cooking methods and sauces, breakfast and short-order cookery, safety and sanitation, culinary mathematics, food costs, and restaurant service skills.
The second year advances students into menu creation and execution, garde manger and fine dining expertise, restaurant management, business principles, industry certification preparation, and professional portfolio building.
Students gain real-world experience operating the student-run restaurant.
During this time, they develop both technical skills and management abilities.
The program prepares students for opportunities to participate in culinary competitions.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Alumni Boulevard, Sanford, ME 04073
- Phone: 207-324-2942
- Website: https://www.sanford.org
#10Hancock County Technical Center
About the School
Hancock County Technical Center offers a Culinary Arts program designed to prepare students for careers in the food service industry or for success in post-secondary culinary education.
Culinary Arts I classes take place in the mornings.
Students learn skills such as:
- Knife cuts and safety
- Vegetable preparation
- Preparation of classic soups and sauces
- Potato and grain cookery
- Product identification
- Introduction to the breakfast cooker
- Introduction to yeast breads, pies, cookies, quick breads, cakes, and baking
Culinary Arts II is an evening program that builds upon the skills learned in year one.
Students learn more advanced knife work, soups and sauces, breakfast preparation, baking, and pastry elements.
Contact Information
- Address: 112 Boggy Brook Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605
- Phone: (207) 667-9729
- Website: https://www.ellsworthschools.org
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Maine
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$45K
|
|
|
$57K
|
|
|
$76K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Maine
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 120 | $56,490 | $27.16 | $75,190 | $42,560 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 70 | $58,910 | $28.32 | $77,960 | $47,680 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 770 | $58,720 | $28.23 | $79,260 | $47,900 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to build a rewarding career in the culinary field, Maine is home to a diverse restaurant industry.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits into your lifestyle.
