Home to a food scene that combines rustic and high-end recipes, Montana is a great place to start a career as a chef, cook, or baker.
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 and lead to certificates or associate degrees, preparing students for careers in restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and other establishments that serve food.
The programs focus on teaching skills such as: food preparation, culinary safety and sanitation, baking principles, contemporary cuisine, and more.
As more restaurants and dining places are expected to open, the demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
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, faster than the average for all occupations.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in Montana was $53,040 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $34,940 per year, on average.
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.
#1Gallatin College
About the School
Gallatin College offers a Culinary Arts program that teaches students relevant coursework and provides experiential education in the culinary arts profession.
The Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science degree is a 65-credit offering.
The coursework is well aligned with Montana’s food culture and strong tourism industry.
Graduates are ready to:
- Demonstrate the skills needed for careers as cooks, chefs de partie, sous chefs, executive chefs, or pastry chefs
- They learn the entrepreneurial skills to own an independent restaurant, bake shop, food truck, or catering business
- Join the American Culinary Federation as a Certified Culinarian
In-state tuition is $7,126 for the two-year program.
Students learn from an experienced faculty with decades of experience in the industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 101 Hamilton Hall, Bozeman, MT 59715
- Phone: 406-994-5536
- Website: https://gallatin.montana.edu
#2Flathead Valley Community College
Flathead Valley Community College provides programs and transfer tracks, and the opportunity to create transfer plans for students’ needs and goals.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts & Catering program introduces students to hands-on learning with esteemed chefs and real-life experiences.
The outstanding culinary program sets students on a path for a career in culinary arts, catering, and the restaurant business.
The following options are available:
- Culinary Arts AAS Degree Program
- Culinary Arts Courses:
- Food Service Sanitation
- Keys to the Kitchen
- Fundamentals of Cooking
- Fundamentals of Protein Cookery
- World Cuisine
- Nutritional Cooking
- Purchasing and Cost Control
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901
- Phone: (406) 756-3822
- Website: https://www.fvcc.edu
#3University of Montana- Missoula College
About the School
University of Montana- Missoula College has three state-of-the-art kitchens and chef instructors who are deeply knowledgeable and passionate.
Students have access to hands-on, tangible learning experiences.
Two dedicated pathways are available:
- Associate of Applied Science in Food Service Entrepreneurship and Hospitality
- Certificate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
The Big Sky Culinary Institute gives students the opportunity to:
- Create an environment of collaboration and mentorship among faculty.
- Promoting the development of knowledge and skills needed for the intellectual, professional, and personal growth of students.
Culinary pathways are available from secondary to post-secondary education
All degrees and certificate paths are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Contact Information
- Address: 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812
- Phone: (406) 243-0211
- Website: https://www.umt.edu
#4Montana State University
About the School
Montana State University offers a Culinary Arts program that teaches students relevant coursework and offers experiential education in the Culinary Arts profession.
The program prepares students for a variety of careers spanning from small restaurants to large food service facilities.
The Associate of Applied Science degree is a 65-credit offering, taught by chefs from local restaurants and food service establishments.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Food Service Sanitation
- Meats and Vegetables
- Purchasing and Cost Control
- Pantry and Garde Manager
- Bar and Beverage Management
- Montana Meats and Charcuterie
- Baking and Pastry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Culbertson Hall, 100, Bozeman, MT 59717
- Phone: 406-994-0211
- Website: https://catalog.montana.edu
#5Big Sky Culinary Classes
About the School
Big Sky Culinary Classes were inspired by Chef Heather’s passion to share with her community her love and talent for food.
The hands-on chef-instructed classes are ideal if you want to prepare to host parties in your home, a special dinner for two, date night, and team building.
The Commercial Kitchen class is a three-hour, hands-on, chef-guided experience that feeds students’ desire to create beautiful, delicious dishes.
Three-hour in-home private classes are available to teach techniques and prepare recipes without leaving home.
Class sizes are three to six people.
All ages are welcome.
Contact Information
- Address: Townsend, MT 59644
- Phone: (303) 406-1501
- Website: https://www.bigskyculinaryclasses.com
#6Trovare
About the School
Trovare is located in the heart of downtown Whitefish, Montana.
It offers private cooking classes that are chef-led and not hands-on.
The chefs prepare and demonstrate each dish from the menu for participants to watch, follow along with the recipes provided, and then serve it fresh.
Classes feature a unique menu.
Tickets cost between $80–$200 per person for each class, plus 3% resort tax.
Classes are one night each with 3-4 courses.
Available are cooking classes such as:
- Spring Market Table with Chefs Ellie and Orion Heyman
- Pizza Night with Chef Truby Voisin
- Sushi: Roll Into Spring with Chef Maggie Garver
- The Soul of Oaxaca with Chef John Evenhuis
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 317 Central Avenue #102, Whitefish, Montana 59937
- Phone: 406.730.8515
- Website: https://www.trovaremt.com
#7Triple Creek Ranch
About the School
Triple Creek Ranch offers a variety of cooking classes.
Beginners start with a Cooking Class 101.
Here, they learn how to hone their skills daily and show off what they have learned by participating in an exciting Chopped cook-off at the end of the weekend.
The following workshop sessions are available:
- Cooking School
- Beverage Classes
- Wine Seminars
The cooking classes give participants the opportunity to learn how to master everything from appetizers to entrees, sweets & pastries, and the art of plate presentation.
Participants learn under the tutelage of Triple Creek Ranch chefs.
The two-hour cooking classes are offered twice per week, Mondays & Thursdays, on non-event weeks, January through March.
Contact Information
- Address: 5551 West Fork Road, Darby, Montana 59829
- Phone: 406-821-4600
- Website: https://www.triplecreekranch.com
#8Culinary Institute of America
Culinary classes are also available online.
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.
To qualify for admission into the program, 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 even faster.
Contact Information
- Address: 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2102, San Antonio, TX 78215
- Phone: 800-CULINARY
- Website: https://www.ciachef.edu
#9Bauman College
About the School
Bauman College offers a Holistic Chef program that can be completed online.
The program helps students become professional holistic chefs in 12 months.
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 students need in order 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
#10Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
An online program is also 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 them 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
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Montana
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$38K
|
|
|
$58K
|
|
|
$78K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Montana
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 60 | $60,890 | $29.27 | $78,630 | $42,150 |
| Bozeman, MT | 120 | $63,090 | $30.33 | $95,270 | $38,800 |
| Missoula, MT | 80 | $53,340 | $25.64 | $73,180 | $36,170 |
* 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 Montana, 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.
