Welcome to our selection of the best culinary and pastry schools in New Mexico.
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 as a chef, 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 Mexico was $66,610 as of May 2023- higher than the national average for this profession.
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 Mexico.
#1Central New Mexico Community College
About the School
Central New Mexico Community College is New Mexico’s largest community college.
It delivers innovative and affordable degrees, as well as certificates and job training.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Central New Mexico Community College can lead to a degree or certificate and help students become an ACF-certified culinarian.
Graduates prepare for work as chefs, bakers, food service managers, and more.
The Culinary Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACF).
The comprehensive curriculum covers essential topics, such as baking and pastry, professional cooking, safety and sanitation, nutrition, and culinary business practices.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Baking, Certificate of Completion
- Culinary Arts (AAS), Advanced Baking and Pastry Concentration
- Culinary Arts (AAS), Beverage Management Concentration
- Culinary Arts (AAS), Culinary Arts Concentration
- Culinary Fundamentals, Certificate of Completion
- Food Service Management, Certificate of Completion
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Buena Vista Dr. SE (Billing), Albuquerque, NM 87106
- Phone: (505) 224-3000
- Website: https://www.cnm.edu
#2Santa Fe School of Cooking
About the School
Located in the heart of Santa Fe, Santa Fe School of Cooking is an internationally acclaimed, recreational culinary school and market that specializes in foods of the American Southwest for more than 36 years.
Courses Offered
Two types of hands-on classes are available at the school:
- Hands-On Classes- Three hours with a full meal
- Hands-On Classes- Two hours with Tastings
- Farmer’s Market Class- Hands-on Menu that varies based on the seasonality of ingredients
Demonstration classes and restaurant walking tours are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 125 N Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Phone: 505-983-4511
- Website: https://santafeschoolofcooking.com
#3San Juan College
About the School
San Juan College offers a Culinary and Hospitality program through its Center for Workforce Development.
The specially crafted classes are designed to equip students with cutting-edge skills and knowledge.
The following Culinary and Hospitality classes are available:
- Basic Knife Skills– students get to practice different cuts and techniques on a variety of vegetables and get home with the makings of a fine soup and a new outlook on kitchen preparations.
- ServSafe Manager Certification– after completing the class and passing an exam with a score of at least 75%, students receive the ServSafe certification that is good for five years.
The ServSafe class includes in-person instruction, the current manual, and a proctored exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, NM 87402
- Phone: (505) 326-3311
- Website: https://www.sanjuancollege.edu
#4CNM Ingenuity
About the School
CNM Ingenuity provides a new higher education environment that is delivering skill training to the state’s existing workforce and opening new opportunities to jobs in new fields.
CNM Ingenuity partners with Central New Mexico Community College and other organizations.
Courses Offered
The Culinary program at CNM Ingenuity offers engaging, hands-on learning opportunities to elevate students’ culinary skills.
Students may choose from courses like:
- Certificate in Chocolate Tasting
- Intermediate Baking
- Foundational Baking
- Viva Vino Wine Boutique
The Foundational Baking program costs $5,000 and covers topics such as:
- Pies and Tarts
- Cakes
- Custards
- Specialty Items
- Garnish and Presentation
- Piping Techniques
Contact Information
- Address: Albuquerque, NM, CNM Robert P. Matteucci Hall
- Phone: 505.224.5200
- Website: https://www.cnmingenuity.org
#5New Mexico State University
About the School
New Mexico State University offers a Culinary Arts program that trains chefs, pastry chefs, cooks, and bakers for positions in restaurants, resorts, institutions, cruise lines, hotels, and other venues where food is prepared.
Students work in a state-of-the-art culinary laboratory where they learn, experiment, create, and define the future of gastronomy in the region.
Before applying to the program, students will have completed and passed with a C- or better the courses required to be taken in their initial semester:
- Culinary Arts Kitchen Orientation
- Math for Kitchen Operations
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Culinary Arts Kitchen Orientation
- Introductory Cake Decorating
- Intermediate Cake Decorating
- Chocolate Work
- Advanced Chocolate Work
- Special Topics
- International Cuisine
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: PO BOX 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003
- Phone: (800) 662-6678
- Website: https://nmsu.edu
#6Santa Fe Community College
About the School
Santa Fe Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that provides professional, hands-on chef training.
Students receive world-class instruction in all areas of the hospitality industry, from pastries and hot and cold kitchens to dining room and bar, cost control, and management, restaurant design, nutrition, and sanitation and safety.
Trainees get to master the cooking basics in SFCC’s high-quality commercial kitchens through experience-based learning opportunities.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Culinary Arts, A.A.S.
- Culinary Arts, Certificate
- Culinary Fundamentals Certificate
- Patisserie, Certificate
The Patisserie Certificate program includes the following courses:
- Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Bread Baking
- Commercial Baking
- Alternative Baking
- Chocolate, Sugar, and the Plated Dessert
- Pastry Presentation and Display
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
- Phone: 505-428-1000
- Website: https://www.sfcc.edu
#7Dona Ana Community College
About the School
Dona Ana Community College offers a variety of training programs at its eight campuses.
The Culinary Arts program includes the following pathways:
- Baking and Pastry- Certificate of Completion
- Savory- Certificate of Completion
The Baking and Pastry program includes 43 credits and courses such as:
- Culinary Arts Kitchen Orientation
- Introductory Cake Decorating
- Math for Kitchen Operations
- Baking Fundamentals
- Sugar Work
- Safety, Security, and Sanitation in Hospitality Operations
- Chocolate Work
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. Las Cruces, NM 88011
- Phone: (575) 527-7500
- Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu
#8Cibola High School
About the School
Cibola High School offers a Culinary Arts program that equips students with the technical skills needed for food production and service in commercial settings.
The program covers food planning, selection, storage, preparation, and service.
Students also learn about safety, sanitation, equipment, use, and management.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Introductory Course- ProStart I
- Concentrator Courses- ProStart II and Culinary Mentorship
- Concentrator Course- Culinary Capstone
Graduates also develop critical thinking, career readiness, business, and leadership skills needed for culinary arts careers.
Contact Information
- Address: 1510 Ellison NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87114
- Phone: (505) 897-0110
- Website: https://cibola.aps.edu
#9Eastern New Mexico University
About the School
Eastern New Mexico University offers an Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts program.
The program’s mission is to prepare students for the highly competitive world of food service management.
Students have the opportunity to cook for real-world clientele.
Graduates are certified by the National Restaurant Association.
The program also provided opportunities to work with the Research Chefs’ Association and the Culinary Federation of America.
Graduates are well-prepared for employment in the hospitality industry and are competitive with graduates of larger institutions.
Qualifying students are eligible to apply for funding assistance.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 S Ave K, Portales, NM 88130
- Phone: 575.562.1011
- Website: https://www.enmu.edu
#10Luna Community College
About the School
Luna Community College offers a Culinary Arts Certification program that incorporates the American Culinary Federation’s standards for knowledge and skill competencies.
The program emphasizes hands-on learning in the school’s state-of-the-art kitchen laboratory.
Students learn how to:
- Handle food safely
- Follow standards of culinary professionalism
- Develop basic cooking skills
During classroom instruction, students learn about:
- Businesses of cooking and developing basic cooking skills
- Fundamental understanding of managerial work
Completion of the certificate can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Vocational/Technical Studies.
Degree requirements include:
- Baking Principles
- Culinary Concepts and Math
- Serv-Safe Certification
- Catering
- Culinary Arts Practicum
- French and Italian Kitchen
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 366 Luna Drive, Las Vegas, NM 87701
- Phone: 888-783-3679
- Website: https://luna.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in New Mexico
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$43K
|
|
|
$60K
|
|
|
$89K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in New Mexico
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 210 | $58,480 | $28.11 | $86,500 | $43,510 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 70 | $67,030 | $32.22 | $98,630 | $45,900 |
* 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 New Mexico, 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, schedule, and learning style.
