If you live in North Carolina and you want to turn your passion for food and cooking into a lucrative career, this page is for you.
Here 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 give you the opportunity to graduate with a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. The curricula are designed to prepare students for careers as station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and other related jobs in the field.
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 head cooks in North Carolina was $61,300 in May 2023.
Bakers reportedly made $29,900 per year, on average.
These professions are expected to grow in the future at a rate that is higher than the average for all occupations.
Employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034.
As more restaurants and dining places open, the public’s demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
Employment for bakers in the United States is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Before starting your career journey, we encourage you to read our selection of the best culinary schools in your state.
#1Community Culinary School of Charlotte
About the School
The Community Culinary School of Charlotte provides workforce development training and job placement assistance for adults who face barriers in long-term successful employment.
The 14-week workforce development training program is designed to prepare students for a full-time career in the culinary industry.
Prospective students must be interviewed before they become part of the next class.
During the interview, applicants will be given a tour of the Culinary School building.
The next step is to schedule an evaluation.
During this evaluation, students participate in a knife skills assessment.
Prior to beginning class, students are also asked to take an on-site drug screen.
Contact Information
- Address: 9315-D Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
- Phone: 704.375.4500
- Website: https://communityculinary.org
#2Guilford Technical Community College
About the School
Guilford Technical Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that leads to an Associate in Applied Science in Culinary Arts.
This program is one of the few North Carolina culinary schools that is accredited by the American Culinary Federation’s Educational Institute at the Exemplary level.
Students get to put theory into practice both at GTCC’s on-campus students-run restaurant and off campus with two work-based learning externships designed to give real-world hands-on experience that supports this degree.
Courses Offered
The following credentialing options are available:
- Culinary Arts, AAS
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Culinary Arts- Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma
- Culinary Arts- Mobile Catering and Food Truck Management Diploma
- Culinary Arts Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 601 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 309, Jamestown, NC 27282
- Phone: 336.334.4822
- Website: https://www.gtcc.edu
#3North Carolina Community Colleges
About the School
North Carolina Community Colleges offer a Culinary Arts curriculum designed to prepare students to assume positions as trained professionals in a variety of foodservice settings.
Students receive theoretical knowledge/practical applications that provide critical competencies that meet industry demands.
Courses include:
- Sanitation/safety
- Baking
- Garde Manger
- Culinary Fundamentals/Production Skills
- Nutrition
- Purchasing/Cost Control
- And more
The program is designed for the following professions:
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- Cooks, Institution, and Cafeteria
- Cooks, Other
- Cooks, Private Household
- Cooks, Restaurant
- Cooks, Short Order
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- Food Service Managers
Contact Information
- Address: 200 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
- Phone: 919-807-7100
- Website: https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu
#4Central Carolina Community College
About the School
Central Carolina Community College offers a culinary arts program that gives students the opportunity to follow their passion for cooking.
Students learn:
- Culinary Arts Degree- a four-semester program or two semesters for fast-track students
- Culinary Baking and Pastry Certificate- a two-semester program
- Culinary Fundamentals Certificate- this program takes one to two semesters to complete
Students enrolled in the Culinary Fundamentals Certificate take classes such as:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Culinary Skills I
- Baking
- Culinary Skills II
- Culinary Skills I Lab
- Culinary Skills II Lab
The Certificate requires the completion of 17 credits.
Students learn the basic principles of sanitation and safety, skills, and techniques in basic cookery.
Emphasis is placed on practical experiences, including recipe conversion, measurements, terminology, and many other skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 764 West Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312-8822
- Phone: 800-682-8353
- Website: https://www.cccc.edu
#5Carteret Community College
About the School
Carteret Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that provides specific training required to prepare students to assume positions as trained culinary professionals in a variety of food-serving settings.
The following degrees and pathways are available:
- AAS Degree- Culinary Arts
- Certificate- Culinary Arts
Courses include:
- Sanitation/safety
- Baking
- Garde Manger
- Culinary Fundamentals/Production skills
- Nutrition
- Customer Service
- Purchasing/Cost Control
- Human Resource Management
American Culinary Federation Certification may be available to graduates.
Contact Information
- Address: 3505 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557
- Phone: (252) 222-6000
- Website: https://carteret.edu
#6College of the Albemarle
About the School
College of the Albemarle offers a Culinary Arts program that helps prepare students for a career in a wide variety of food service settings.
The following degree options are available:
- Culinary Arts- Diploma
- Culinary Arts- Certificate I
- Culinary Arts- Certificate II
The following core classes are included in the program:
- Critical thinking
- Business ethics
- Food preparation
- Food and beverage service
- Baking
- Food production and hospitality supervision
- Sanitation
The COA Foundation can provide scholarship opportunities for students.
Contact Information
- Address: 1208 N. Road St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
- Phone: 252-335-0821
- Website: https://www.albemarle.edu
#7Brunswick Community College
About the School
Brunswick Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that offers entry-level training for those who want to start careers as prep cooks, line cooks, station chefs, and other similar positions.
Students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to earn credentials through the American Culinary Federation’s partnership with the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute.
Courses Offered
The courses included in the Culinary Arts program are:
- Culinary I, Foundations
- Culinary II, Advanced Cookery
- ServSafe
- Baking & Pastry
- International Cuisine
- Bartending
The Baking & Pastry course provides students with the necessary skills to bake in a commercial setting.
Student bakers learn about baking techniques, weights and measurements, terminology, and calculations.
They will use these skills and gain experience baking pies, breads, and cakes.
Contact Information
- Address: 50 College Road NE, Bolivia, NC 28422
- Phone: (910) 755-7300
- Website: https://brunswickcc.edu
#8Wake Tech
Wake Tech offers hundreds of programs in 13 career fields to meet students’ interests.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program available at Wake Tech prepares students to assume positions as culinary professionals in a variety of food service settings.
Classes provide a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
The following degrees and pathways are available:
- AAS- Associate in Applied Science
- Diploma
- Certificates
The Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts programs available at Wake Tech are accredited by the American Culinary Federation.
Graduates are eligible to receive a Certified Culinarian or Certified Pastry Cook certification.
Contact Information
- Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Phone: 919-866-5000
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu
#9Central Piedmont Community College
About the School
Central Piedmont Community College provides students with the ability to earn an associate degree, work toward a four-year degree, or take a direct path to employment.
Programs are available in 14 career fields, with more than 55 professional pathways available to prepare students for their next step.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program available at Central Piedmont Community College encompasses the art and practice of all aspects of food preparation, cooking, final presentation, and culinary management.
Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
They learn how to use state-of-the-art equipment and produce fantastic culinary creations.
The instructors are proven industry professionals.
Students enjoy small class settings and gain the individual attention needed for achieving their goals.
Contact Information
- Address: 8120 Grier Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215, USA
- Phone: 704-330-2722
- Website: https://www.cpcc.edu
#10Fayetteville Technical Community College
About the School
Among many other career pathways, Fayetteville Technical Community College offers an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts.
The program is five semesters long.
Students need a high school diploma and one unit of Algebra or a Placement Test equivalent.
The coursework includes:
- Baking
- Culinary Fundamentals
- Production Skills
- Customer Service
- Garde Manger
- Human Resource Management
- Nutrition
- Purchasing and cost control
- Sanitation and Safety
The estimated total cost for in-state students enrolled in this program is $7,050.
The coursework includes hands-on lab experience.
A Culinary Foundation Certificate is also available at the college.
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
- Phone: (910) 678-8400
- Website: https://faytechcc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in North Carolina
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$42K
|
|
|
$66K
|
|
|
$98K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in North Carolina
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 230 | $66,440 | $31.94 | $97,620 | $44,800 |
| Burlington, NC | 50 | $61,590 | $29.61 | $83,980 | $46,390 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,300 | $71,110 | $34.19 | $118,920 | $45,490 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 220 | $69,630 | $33.48 | $101,520 | $44,630 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 50 | $63,870 | $30.71 | $80,500 | $44,730 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 260 | $65,140 | $31.32 | $97,560 | $40,560 |
| Greenville, NC | 40 | $62,220 | $29.91 | $82,450 | $41,520 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 120 | $56,920 | $27.37 | $77,050 | $33,280 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 50 | $62,090 | $29.85 | $105,080 | $39,080 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | 70 | $66,310 | $31.88 | $99,990 | $40,430 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 470 | $66,060 | $31.76 | $98,570 | $45,990 |
| Wilmington, NC | 180 | $63,970 | $30.76 | $95,100 | $43,130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 160 | $64,860 | $31.18 | $94,470 | $44,050 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Before being ready for employment in a restaurant, hotel, or another establishment that serves food, you have to complete a program that teaches you the required skills for this profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in North Carolina, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
