Welcome to our selection of the best culinary and pastry schools in New York.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by chefs and sous chefs in New York was $68,410 as of May 2023- higher than the national average for this profession.
Salaries vary depending on experience, education, location, and industry of employment.
One way to improve your earning prospects is by completing a diploma or degree in culinary science or a related field.
The schools included in our list take between a few months and two years to complete and offer hands-on training, certificate programs, and associate degrees, preparing students for employment in restaurants, bakeries, and other dining establishments.
Before being ready for your first job in this field, 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
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 also projected to grow at an estimated rate of 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 York.
#1Monroe University
About the School
Monroe University is located in New Rochelle, just 25 minutes from New York City.
The Culinary Institute of New York offers hospitality management and culinary arts education that encompasses passion, professionalism, and pride.
Courses Offered
The following degree options are available:
- AAS in Culinary Arts
- AAS in Baking and Pastry
- AAS in Hospitality Management
- BBA in Hospitality Management
The Culinary Institute of New York is accredited by the American Culinary Federation’s Educational Foundation.
Students receive hands-on experience in a critically acclaimed student-run restaurant, The Dining Lab.
The Associate Degree in Culinary Arts teaches the skills needed to create a true gourmet dining experience, including:
- Cooking techniques
- Baking techniques
- Techniques of nutritional and healthy cooking
- Knife skills
- Garde manger and charcuterie
- How food is raised and grown
- Food safety and sanitation
- Full-time students can finish in less than a year and a half.
Students need 60 total credits:
- 30 credits of major-related courses
- 30 credits of general education and related courses
Contact Information
- Address: 2501 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
- Phone: (718) 933-6700
- Website: https://www.monroeu.edu
#2The State University of New York
About the School
The State University of New York offers Culinary Arts programs that teach innovative trends in the food service industry.
Students build core skills and use state-of-the-art equipment to learn about a wide variety of dishes and cuisines.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Assistant Chef- a Certificate Program
- Baking and Pastry Arts- Certificate and Associate Degrees
- Baking & Pastry Management- Bachelor’s and Associate Degrees are available
- Catering and Event Planning- Certificate
- Culinary- Certificate
- Culinary Skills- Certificate
- Food Service Technology- Certificate
- Mobile Food Service- Certificate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 353 Broadway, Albany, NY 12246
- Phone: 518.320.1100
- Website: https://www.suny.edu
#3Institute 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
#4Professional Culinary Academy
Professional Culinary Academy gives students the opportunity to be mentored by professionals and prepares them for work anywhere in the world.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Program at the Professional Culinary Academy allows students to learn the skills needed for entry-level hospitality and restaurant employment.
Students are exposed to a variety of international and regional cuisines.
The Commercial Cooking program plus externship includes 600 hours.
Required courses include:
- Skills Development
- Food Preparation
- Catering
- Food Sanitation
- Quantity Food Production
Hands-on learning is complemented through an externship that allows students to practice their education and training in a fast-paced, realistic setting.
Contact Information
- Address: 683 Northland Ave, Buffalo, NY 14221
- Phone: (716)-344-9611
- Website: https://www.professionalculinaryacademy.com
#5Emma's Torch
About the School
Emma’s Torch offers culinary training programs that equip refugees with the skills and confidence to create meaningful careers in the food industry.
The 11-week apprenticeship program equips students with up to 440 hours of culinary training as well as employability, equity, and empowerment training.
The program includes on-the-job culinary instruction designed in consultation with the Culinary Council.
Courses Offered
The program includes skills such as Introduction to the professional American kitchen, basic knife skills, communication skills, and key culinary techniques.
During the second part of the training, students get to develop a versatile skill set in one of the school’s cafes, sampling Back of House and Front of House in Brooklyn and Silver Spring, MD, and develop skills in the catering in Inwood, Manhattan.
The program is free.
Students are paid full-time minimum wage.
Contact Information
- Address: 345 Smith St, Brooklyn, New York 11231
- Phone: (917) 336-1806
- Website: https://emmastorch.org
#6Culinary 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.
During their training, students develop 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: 1946 Campus Dr, Hyde Park, NY 12538
- Phone: 800-CULINARY
- Website: https://www.ciachef.edu
#7Bite Unite
About the School
Bite Unite offers cooking classes with private chefs.
Hands-on cooking classes with private chefs are available in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong.
The following baking classes are available in New York City:
- Summer Kids Cooking Camp- a five-day class
- Group Cooking Class
- Donut Making Classes
- Macaron Making Classes
- Croissant Making Classes
Participants are guided by professional chefs and bakers and explore techniques ranging from mastering the perfect roast to baking cookies, cakes, and more.
Costs vary depending on the class.
The fee for the Summer Kids Cooking Camp is $550.
Contact Information
- Address: 247 W 30th St #9f, New York, NY 10001
- Website: https://www.biteunite.com
#8Bauman 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 that help students advance their careers.
The curriculum and culinary classes include entrepreneurial lessons that give students the tools to succeed as professional chefs.
The college offers the opportunity to work in a real-world environment in your home region and prepares you 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
#9Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
About the School
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
#10Miette Culinary Studio
About the School
Miette Culinary Studio offers culinary classes that are designed for anyone who wants to cook, from beginners to more experienced home chefs.
Students have the opportunity to expand skills and knowledge, learn new techniques, and gain confidence in the kitchen.
Courses Offered
The following classes are available:
- Knife Skills: The Foundamentals
- Classique: French Country Cooking
- Italian Classics: Modern Vegan
- Traditional Italian: A Little Italy Menu
- Morocco Meets Manhattan: A Culinary Meet Up
Classes cost $135 each.
Contact Information
- Address: 132 Mulberry Street, Suite 2D, New York, NY 10013
- Phone: (212) 460-9322
- Website: https://mietteculinarystudio.com
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in New York
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$42K
|
|
|
$70K
|
|
|
$100K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in New York
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 440 | $67,460 | $32.43 | $98,240 | $46,720 |
| Binghamton, NY | 100 | $62,880 | $30.23 | $90,020 | $31,200 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 740 | $70,600 | $33.94 | $104,880 | $43,680 |
| Elmira, NY | 50 | $64,170 | $30.85 | $101,940 | $40,680 |
| Glens Falls, NY | 80 | $67,960 | $32.67 | $93,570 | $46,640 |
| Ithaca, NY | 80 | $61,920 | $29.77 | $84,420 | $46,020 |
| Kingston, NY | 200 | $72,170 | $34.70 | $109,990 | $49,790 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 430 | $68,690 | $33.02 | $110,240 | $47,830 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 15,560 | $72,440 | $34.83 | $100,730 | $44,310 |
| Rochester, NY | 660 | $65,150 | $31.32 | $93,600 | $42,480 |
| Syracuse, NY | 340 | $64,860 | $31.18 | $92,590 | $45,720 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 190 | $66,170 | $31.81 | $102,050 | $46,150 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | 60 | $63,820 | $30.68 | $100,990 | $43,810 |
* 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 the state of New York, it’s time to choose the program that best suits you.
This is an important step, so take your time and make sure you choose a school that fits your budget and learning style.
