If you want to start a career as a chef, cook, or baker in Nebraska, our list of the top culinary and pastry schools in your state is a great place to start your research.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training, certificate programs, and 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.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in Nebraska was $61,730 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $33,560 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.
#1Metropolitan Community College
About the School
The Metropolitan Community College is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at MCC consists of two programs:
- Culinary Arts
- Management and Hospitality & Restaurant Leadership
The following degrees and Certificates are offered:
- Associate in Applied Science
- Sustainable Baking Management
- Sustainable Culinary Management
- Certificate of Achievement
- Food Studies
- Hospitality Leadership
- Career Certificate
- Bakeshop Operations
- Basic Gastronomy
- Foodservice Fundamentals
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Restaurant Operations
Contact Information
- Address: 5300 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE 68111
- Phone: 531-622-2272
- Website: https://www.mccneb.edu
#2Southeast Community College
About the School
Southeast Community College hosts the Great Plains Culinary Institute- an accredited program by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Students learn from ACF Certified Chef Instructors.
The college has state-of-the-art learning spaces and a full-service student-run restaurant.
The student-run restaurant is called Course.
Course is open to students, staff, or the public for dine-in or carryout options.
Courses Offered
The following culinary programs are available at the college:
- Baking/Pastry- A.A.S./Diploma
- Culinary Arts- A.A.S./Diploma/Certificate
- Culinary Communications- A.A.S./Diploma
- Hospitality Management- A.A.S./Diploma
Costs vary depending on the program and the credential it leads to:
- Baking/Pastry A.A.S.- $8,065
- Baking/Pastry Diploma- $4,509
- Culinary Arts Certificate- $2,096
Contact Information
- Address: 4771 W. Scott Road, Beatrice, NE 68310-7042
- Phone: 402-228-3468
- Website: https://www.southeast.edu
#3Central Community College
About the School
Central Community College offers a Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts program at the Hastings campus.
The following program levels are available: Certificate, Diploma, and Associate.
Courses Offered
The following program options are available:
- Hospitality Management & Culinary Arts AAS Degree
- Hospitality Diploma
- Culinary Concepts Certificate
- Hospitality Concepts Certificate
- Hotel Management Certificate
- Pastry & Baking Certificate
- Restaurant Management Certificate
- Tourism & Event Planning Certificate
The Culinary Concepts certificate program includes the following required courses:
- Introduction to HMRM
- Customer Service
- Kitchen essentials
- Safety & Sanitation
- Culinary Concepts
Contact Information
- Address: 550 S. Technical Blvd. P.O. Box 1024, Hastings, NE 68902-1024
- Phone: 402-463-9811
- Website: https://www.cccneb.edu
#4University of Nebraska- Lincoln
About the School
The University of Nebraska- Lincoln offers a Department of Food Science and Technology.
The following degrees in Food Science and Technology are available at the university:
- Bachelor of Science
- Master of Science
- Ph.D.
Undergraduate minors in Food Technology for Companion Animals and Fermentation are also available.
The Food Science and Technology program includes the following courses:
- Introductory Food Science
- Food Composition and Analysis
- Heat and Mass Transfer
- Food Microbiology
- Sensory evaluation
- Food Product Development Concepts
Contact Information
- Address: 1901 N 21 ST, Lincoln, NE 68588-6205
- Phone: 402-472-2831
- Website: https://foodscience.unl.edu
#5Sur La Table
About the School
Sur La Table offers cooking classes in Omaha, Nebraska.
Students have a chef instructor as their guide and get to work their way through delicious recipes, learning new techniques and tasting fresh ingredients.
The hands-on experience offers students the opportunity to boost their skills as home chefs.
Classes are available for beginners and for those who have been cooking for years.
Students learn in an in-store kitchen.
The classes embrace the latest food trends along with timeless culinary traditions.
Students dive into a vibrant world of flavors, aromas, and textures.
Contact Information
- Address: 10353 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE 68114
- Phone: 531-510-2455
- Website: https://www.surlatable.com
#6Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
About the School
You may also earn a culinary degree or diploma without ever having to leave Nevada by enrolling in the online Culinary Arts program, which is provided by Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
The school 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
#7Le Gordon Bleu
About the School
Le Gordon Bleu offers world-class programs such as:
- Le Grand Diplome
- Diplôme de Cuisine
- Wine & Management Programs
- Gastronomy, Nutrition, and Food Trends Programs
- Gourment Short Courses
- And more
The pinnacle of Le Cordon Bleu’s hands-on training program is Le Grand Diplôme.
This combines the practice and knowledge of both cuisine and pastry disciplines.
Students are exposed to basic techniques and progressively learn more advanced techniques.
Contact Information
#8Culinary 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 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 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
#10Institute of Culinary Education
About the School
The Institute of Culinary Education helps students launch their careers in culinary arts by offering classes in New York, Los Angeles, and online.
The campus features 38,000 square feet of space dedicated to learning, innovation, and creativity.
Courses Offered
The following diplomas and degrees are available online:
- Culinary Arts and Food Operations
- Health Centered Culinary Arts & Food Operations
- Baking and Pastry Arts & Food Operations
- Restaurant & Culinary Management
- Associate Degree: Culinary Arts & Food Operations
- Associate Degree: Baking and Pastry Arts & Food Operations
- And more
The Culinary Arts and Food Operations program provides students with comprehensive and convenient online culinary school training.
The 900-hour intensive culinary school curriculum explores the theory, science, technique, plate development, and culinary business fundamentals.
Contact Information
- Address: 225 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10281
- Phone: (888) 354-CHEF
- Website: https://www.ice.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Nebraska
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$40K
|
|
|
$66K
|
|
|
$111K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Nebraska
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 120 | $65,020 | $31.26 | $111,300 | $40,880 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 360 | $67,780 | $32.59 | $114,260 | $40,480 |
* 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 Nebraska, 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.
