Home to cities that combine globally inspired cuisine and food traditions, Missouri’s vibrant culinary scene makes it an interesting place to start a career in this field.
To help you decide if this is the path you want to pursue and help you choose the training program that best fits your lifestyle, on this page 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 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 sous chefs in Missouri was $56,430 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $33,250 per year, on average.
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 demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
Employment for bakers in the United States is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
You can start preparing for employment in the culinary or baking field by completing a certificate or degree program offered by one of the schools and community colleges in our list.
So take a look at the information on this page to find out more about the available options.
#1Ozarks Tech
About the School
Ozarks Tech offers programs built to connect students with in-demand careers, local employers, and clear next steps.
Graduates perform strongly on their exams, averaging close to a 90% pass rate across recent reporting years.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry program at Ozarks Tech gives students the opportunity to master baking and pastry techniques and skills through real kitchen training.
The two-year program teaches:
- Basic skills needed for baking and making pastries
- Advanced topics such as specialty breads, cake decorating, European-style pastries, plated deserts, and working with chocolate and sugar
- Students also learn how bakeries and pastry shops operate and what it takes to run them
Contact Information
- Address: 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802
- Phone: (417) 447-7500
- Website: https://ozarkstech.edu
#2Jefferson College
About the School
Jefferson College offers a broad range of academic programs that allow students to explore various fields of interest and develop their educational and professional careers.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Jefferson College equips students with essential skills and practical experience.
The following degree options are available:
- Associate of Applied Science
- One and Two Year Certificates
The syllabus includes courses such as:
- ServSafe Sanitation
- Culinary Arts I, II, III, and IV
- Baking and Pastry
- Hospitality and Restaurant Management
- Cost Control
- Nutrition
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050
- Phone: (636) 481-3000
- Website: https://www.jeffco.edu
#3St. Louis College
About the School
St. Louis College offers a Culinary Arts program that leads to an Associate in Applied Science and lets students turn their love of cooking into real-world skills.
The program combines classroom learning with practical experience to prepare students for leadership roles in food service and build a strong foundation in culinary arts.
The curriculum covers food preparation and service, world cuisines, ingredient identification, nutritional cooking, and culinary management.
The program ends with a restaurant-style meal service where students can showcase their skills to real guests.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Safety and sanitation guidelines
- Standard recipes and cooking techniques
- How to use kitchen equipment properly
- Food service operations and basic finances
- Nutrient functions and proper food storage
Contact Information
- Address: 3400 Pershall Road, Ferguson, MO 63135
- Phone: 314-513-4200
- Website: https://stlcc.edu
#4Culinary Center of Kansas City
The Culinary Center of Kansas City offers classes and team-building events for all ages at two convenient Kansas City locations.
The instructors and staff offer deep experience, exceptional skills, and a passion for cooking.
Courses Offered
Featured classes include:
- The Bake Shop: Peppermint Cookies & Decadent Brownies
- The Italian Kitchen: Rustic, Fresh, Delicious
- Elevate Your Steak
- The Mother Sauces
- Midweek Spring Escape
- Pizza and Calzone Workshop
- Family-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls
- Spring Cookie Decorating Workshop
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 7920 Santa Fe Dr
- Phone: 913-341-4455
- Website: https://kcculinary.com
#5Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center
About the School
Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center offers a Culinary Arts program for students in grades 11 and 12 and for adult students.
The Culinary I program is two-semester long and available for students in grades 11 and 12th.
The program covers basic principles of the food service industry.
Students learn about topics such as food safety, personal safety, food handling skills, knife skills, customer service, and cooking techniques.
They also learn tasks involved in front-of-the-house operations and back-of-the-house operations.
Students receive their food handler’s card from ServSafe in addition to receiving OSHA-10 Culinary training and certification.
The two-semester Culinary Arts II program prepares students with additional training in the specific roles of the food service industry.
Students learn about food costing, menu planning, and profitability.
They take roles in the operation of the campus restaurant and further their experience in real-world food service operations.
Second-year students have the opportunity to become ServSafe: Food Protection Manager Certified.
Contact Information
- Address: 1080 South Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
- Phone: 573.334.0826
- Website: https://www.capectc.org
#6St. Charles Community College
St. Charles Community College offers a Culinary program through its School of Health, Human Services, & Natural Resources.
The program leads to a Culinary AAS.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Sanitation & Safety for Food Service
- Culinary Fundamentals
- Culinary Fundamentals in Practice
- Principles of Nutrition
- Technical Writing
- Stocks, Soups & Sauces
- Menu Design and Management
- State and Local Government
- World Cuisine
- And more
The program requires the completion of 61 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville, MO 63376
- Phone: 636-922-8000
- Website: https://www.stchas.edu
#7Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center
About the School
Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center offers a Culinary Arts program that includes 1044 clock hours.
The course includes instructional and on-the-job performance.
First-year students learn about production, service, and cashier techniques.
Students in the second year study management techniques.
During this time, they have the opportunity to perform the duties of Kitchen Supervisor, Dining Room Supervisor, and Restaurant Manager in the full-service restaurant.
Courses Offered
The following units of study are included in the program:
- Accident Prevention and Crisis Management
- Dining Room Management
- Food Service Cost Control Management
- Food Service Nutrition
- Food Service Sanitation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3203 Oak Grove Road, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
- Phone: 573-785-2248
- Website: https://tcc.poplarbluffschools.net
#8Nevada Regional Technical Center
About the School
Nevada Regional Technical Center offers a Culinary Arts program designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of cooking and food preparation.
Student chefs develop skills in:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Recipe development
- Food production
- Plate presentation
- Customer service
- Menu Design
- Knife cuts and catering
Students have access to:
- Fully equipped commercial kitchen
- Knife kits
- Computer lab
- On-site restaurant, corner cafe
Student chefs earn the National Restaurant Association’s ProStart Certification upon completion of the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 900 W. Ashland Street, Nevada, MO 64772
- Phone: 417-448-2090
- Website: https://nrtc.nevada.k12.mo.us
#9South Tech High School
About the School
South Tech High School offers a Culinary Arts program taught in a modern, fully equipped, restaurant-style kitchen as required by the American Culinary Federation for certification.
During the program, students plan, prepare, and cater meals alongside professional chefs in the classroom, compete at various competitions throughout the year, and participate in exclusive mentorship and shadowing programs.
Students have access to the following equipment:
- Computers
- Commercial kitchen appliance
- They learn to use knives independently
- A wide variety of cooking utensils
- Commercial kitchen cleaners and cleaning tools
- Scales and other measuring devices
- Will use a torch, fire, and open flame often in cooking.
Contact Information
- Address: 12721 West Watson Road, Sunset Hills, MO 63127
- Phone: 314.989.7400
- Website: https://southtech.ssdmo.org
#10Waynesville Career Center
About the School
Waynesville Career Center offers culinary arts courses that are a fast-paced, career-building series of classes with a steep learning curve.
After completing the course, students have the skills needed to test for their Certified Fundamentals Cook certificate.
The course explores all aspects of the fundamentals of cooking and teaches about quality food production.
Culinary Arts 1 is offered to students in 11th grade.
In order for a student to advance to Culinary Arts 2, they must have a C average in this course.
Students earn 3 credits for completing this course as well as 1/2 a math credit.
Courses Offered
Students get to:
- Develop an understanding of the basic principles of sanitation and safety.
- Develop an understanding of the hospitality industry.
- Perform mathematical functions related to foodservice operations.
- Develop skills in knife, tool, and equipment handling, and apply principles of food preparation to produce a variety of foods.
- Understand purchasing and receiving practices in quality food service operations.
- Develop skills in human relations.
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 400 G.W. Lane, Waynesville, MO 65583
- Phone: 573-842-2500
- Website: https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Missouri
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$35K
|
|
|
$62K
|
|
|
$90K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Missouri
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO | 70 | $59,570 | $28.64 | $87,100 | $35,160 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 30 | $53,100 | $25.53 | $73,610 | $34,870 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 850 | $64,170 | $30.85 | $90,960 | $38,340 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 830 | $66,380 | $31.91 | $95,160 | $40,500 |
| Springfield, MO | 100 | $54,860 | $26.38 | $76,470 | $33,110 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Missouri, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
