This page is designed to help those who want to start a career in the culinary field in the state of New Jersey.
The schools included in our list take between a few months and two years to complete and offer hands-on training that leads to certificates and associate degrees, preparing students for employment in restaurants, bakeries, and other dining establishments.
Before being ready for your first job in a professional kitchen, you have to learn a few skills, such as:
- Cooking techniques
- Checking ingredients
- Following safety and sanitation standards
- Planning menus
- Inspecting supplies
- Monitoring sanitation practices
- Ordering and maintaining an inventory of foods
- And more
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in New Jersey was $71,100 as of May 2023, which makes it the fifth-highest paying state for this profession, while bakers reportedly made $38,290 per year, on average.
As more restaurants and dining places are expected to open across the nation, employment for chefs and head cooks 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.
If you’re passionate about food, we encourage you to read our list and find out more about the culinary and baking schools in New Jersey.
#1Atlantic Cape Community College
About the School
Atlantic Cape Community College offers an immersive and hands-on learning environment that educates more students each year than any other culinary school in the state through its Academy of Culinary Arts.
Flexible part-time and full-time options are available to fit students’ busy lifestyles.
Students work in the college’s student-run gourmet restaurant and student-run bakery to get real-life experiences.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Baking & Pastry
- Culinary Arts
- Food Service Management
- Hospitality Management
Culinary Arts students learn different styles and techniques of ordering, preparing, and serving food, planning menus, incorporating computer technology, as well as working with an assortment of modern tools and equipment.
Nearly 75% of the study will be hands-on experience under the supervision of the faculty.
Contact Information
- Address: 5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
- Phone: (609) 625-1111
- Website: https://atlanticcape.edu
#2Rowan College of Burlington County
About the School
Rowan College of Burlington County offers a Culinary Arts Center that prepares students to take their place in the rapidly growing food service industry and provides a seamless transfer to other four-year colleges or universities.
Students prepare for this in-demand field in the school’s state-of-the-art facility.
Courses Offered
The following degrees are available:
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Cooking and Baking Certificate
- Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree
- Hospitality Certificate
The Culinary Arts Degree prepares students for careers as:
- Cooks, Sous Chefs, Executive Chefs
- Catering Managers
- Food Service Production Supervisors
- Event and hospitality roles in restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and other similar settings
Contact Information
- Address: 900 College Circle, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054
- Phone: (856) 222-9311
- Website: https://rcbc.edu
#3Bergen Community College
About the School
Bergen Community College offers a Culinary Arts program designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the culinary arts industry.
Typically, students can complete the certificate program in just two semesters.
The certificate program is embedded in the Associate of Applied Science degree program.
Those who want to advance to a two-year degree can transfer all 30 credits into the 60-credit Associate in Applied Science degree at Bergen Community College.
Courses Offered
The course catalog includes:
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Food Protection and Safety
- Professional Food Preparation Techniques
- Culinary Nutrition
- Menu Planning and Nutrition
- Housekeeping
- Introduction to Baking
- Food History and Culture
- Barista Fundamentals: Coffee and Teas
- Quantity Food Production and Services
- Beverage Management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652
- Phone: (201) 447-7100
- Website: https://bergen.edu
#4Sussex County Community College
About the School
Sussex County Community College hosts the Culinary Institute- a diverse facility that serves the community and prepares students with the training necessary for a rewarding career in the culinary field.
Students learn, first-hand, how to provide quality food and a welcoming experience for guests by helping coordinate the Arbor Restaurant and Bakeshop, in addition to hosting Culinary Workshops for the community.
Courses Offered
The following culinary programs are available:
- Baking & Pastry Arts Degree
- Baking & Pastry Certificate
- Culinary Arts Degree
- Culinary Arts Certificate
- Hotel & Restaurant Management
The Baking & Pastry Certificate includes courses such as:
- Food Service Sanitation
- Basic Skills and Principles
- Basic Baking
- Introduction to Cakes & Fillings
- Basic Breads
- Advanced Breads & Dough
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One College Hill Road, Newton, New Jersey 07860
- Phone: 973-300-2100
- Website: https://www.sussex.edu
#5Hudson County Community College
About the School
Hudson County Community College offers a Culinary Arts A.A.S. that explores students’ creativity and helps them find their pathway for an exciting career in culinary arts.
The college offers small and affordable classes that are local and easily accessible.
Students experience one-on-one, hands-on instruction.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Associate in Applied Science, Culinary Arts
- Associate in Applied Science, Culinary Arts- Baking and Pastry Option
- Certificate- Culinary Arts
- Certificate- Baking and Pastry Arts
The Culinary Arts program has major requirements such as:
- Tableservice
- Food Sanitation and Culinary Principles
- Pantry and Breakfast Cookery
- Introduction to Garde Manger
- Intermediate Garde Manger
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 70 Sip Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
- Phone: 201-714-7100
- Website: https://www.hccc.edu
#6Middlesex College
About the School
Middlesex College offers a Culinary Arts program that prepares students for careers as restaurant managers, hotel/motel assistant managers, front office managers, cafeteria production managers, and other similar positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise lines, catering centers, and healthcare facilities.
Courses Offered
Course requirements for this program include:
- Food and Cooking Fundamentals
- Foodservice Sanitation
- The Mathematics of Money
- Baking Fundamentals
- Culinary Nutrition
- Food Purchasing and Cost Controls
- And more
In total, this program includes 60 credits.
A Culinary Arts Certificate and a Hospitality Management A.A.S. program are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08818
- Phone: 732.548.6000
- Website: https://middlesexcollege.edu
#7Brookdale Community College
About the School
Brookdale Community College offers a Culinary Education Center.
The public can have lunch and dinner at the center and enjoy delicious and creative meals handcrafted by professional instructors and student chefs.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Brookdale Community College combines general education studies, career courses, and hands-on professional food preparation.
The following programs are available:
- Culinary Arts Program, A.A.S.
- Pastry Arts Academic Credit Certificate
- Culinary Arts Academic Credit Certificate
The Pastry Arts Academic Credit Certificate includes 32 credits in total and classes such as:
- Introduction to Culinary Principles
- Culinary Math and Purchasing
- Baking Skills
- Patisserie
- Advanced Baking Skills
- Advanced Patisserie
- Advanced Pastry Arts
- Confectionery and Showpieces
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft
- Phone: 732-224-2345
- Website: https://www.brookdalecc.edu
#8Eva's Village
About the School
Eva’s Village offers a Culinary School that leads to a certificate of completion and ServSafe certification.
The 20-week program focuses on training and placing students in culinary careers.
The program consists of five modules:
- Module A- students learn topics such as Policy and Procedures, Sanitation, Knife Skills, Culinary Terminology, Breakfast Cookery, and more
- Module B- Knife Skill Refinement, Cooking Method, Basic Sauces, Breakfast Cookery are some of the topics included in this module.
- Module C- Internship- hands-on in a community kitchen or off-site under the supervision of a chef
- Module D- Cold/Hot Food
- Module E- Baking
The modules are four weeks long each.
Contact Information
- Address: 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501
- Phone: 973-523-6220
- Website: https://www.evasvillage.org
#9Monmouth County Vocational School District
About the School
Monmouth County Vocational School District offers a Culinary Arts program that gives high school students the opportunity to earn high school and college credits.
The following high school credits are offered:
- Culinary Arts- Level 1
- Applied Culinary Math- Level 1
- Sanitation and Safety
- Culinary Arts-Level 2
- Applied Culinary Math- Level 2
- Applied Science
The following college credits are available at Brookdale Community College:
- Food Preparation I
- Food Preparation II
- Baking I
- Dining Room I
Contact Information
- Address: 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728-5033
- Phone: 732-431-7942
- Website: https://www.mcvsd.org
#10The Rugby School of Woodfield
About the School
The Rugby School of Woodfield offers a Culinary Arts program that cultivates a nurturing environment for students to explore the world of food and hone their culinary skills.
The school has a hands-on approach.
Students spend time in a commercial kitchen setting where they gain fundamental knowledge of:
- Food preparation
- Nutrition
- Life Skills
- Commercial cooking concepts
The curriculum delves into various cuisines from diverse cultures and regions.
The curriculum covers nutrition, food preparation, safety and sanitation, menu planning, and restaurant skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 1604 Woodfield Avenue, Wall Township, NJ 07719
- Phone: 732.681.6900
- Website: https://www.rugbyschool.org
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in New Jersey
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$53K
|
|
|
$75K
|
|
|
$99K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in New Jersey
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 540 | $75,780 | $36.44 | $100,470 | $55,230 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 300 | $74,420 | $35.78 | $96,680 | $54,600 |
| Vineland, NJ | 60 | $75,110 | $36.11 | $92,500 | $54,640 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to turn your passion for food and cooking into a rewarding career, the schools in our list are a great place to learn the skills needed for entry-level employment.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in New Jersey, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make sure you choose a school that matches your budget and learning style.
