If you enjoy cooking and you want to turn your passion for food into a rewarding career, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in North Dakota.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training, certificate programs, and associate degrees, preparing students for careers as station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and other food service specialist roles.
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 North Dakota was $70,920 as of May 2023- higher than the national average for this profession, while bakers reportedly made $37,410 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, skilled cooks and chefs will be needed in order to prepare high-quality dishes.
Employment for bakers in the United States is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in a professional kitchen, you have to learn some essential skills.
You can start this journey by completing a certificate or degree program offered by one of the schools in our list.
Program duration ranges between a few months and a few years, depending on the credential you want to pursue.
Many schools offer flexible schedules, so students are able to keep their jobs while preparing for a new career.
#1North Dakota State College of Science
About the School
North Dakota State College of Science offers the following Culinary Arts degrees and certificates:
- Baking and Pastry Arts, Associate in Applied Science
- Culinary Arts, Associate in Applied Science
- Culinary Management, Associate in Applied Science
- Baking and Pastry Arts, Certificate
- Catering and Banquetting, Certificate
- Culinary Management, Certificate
- Culinary And Food Truck Entrepreneur, Certificate
- Italian Cuisine, Certificate
- Italian Cuisine, Certificate of Completion
Courses Offered
Students take classes such as:
- Nutritional Baking
- Advanced Breads
- Confections
- Baking and Pastry Capstone
- Quantity Baking
- Banquet Service
- Coffee and Tea
- Sanitation and Safety
- Menu Planning
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 800 6th St. N. Wahpeton, ND 58076
- Phone: 800-342-4325
- Website: https://catalog.ndscs.edu
#2United Tribes Technical College
About the School
United Tribes Technical College offers a Culinary Arts & Nutrition program that provides students with hands-on experience in food preparation, the use of commercial kitchen equipment, and kitchen management.
The degree plan includes:
- Food science
- Basic nutrition facts
- Kitchen math theory
- Food safety and sanitation
Students earn certificates for ServSafe Manager and First Aid/CPR.
Graduates are ready for employment with school foodservice, elder nutrition programs, health-care kitchens, casino kitchens, grocery stores, or restaurants.
Program outcomes include:
- Identifying the relationship between cooking skills and nutritional choices
- Applying cooking techniques and culinary skills
- Implementing food safety and sanitation principles
- Applying basic foodservice management skills
Contact Information
- Address: 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504
- Phone: 701.255.3285
- Website: https://uttc.edu
#3Southeast Region Career and Technology Center
About the School
Southeast Region Career and Technology Center offers an Introduction to Culinary Arts program.
The program is open for grades 7-8 and can be completed in 18 weeks.
Students set themselves up for success in the kitchen.
The program covers:
- Basic principles of measuring
- Ingredients
- Nutrition
- Cooking and baking
Students explore different foods and styles of basic cooking that they can do at home with their family.
Contact Information
- Address: 2101 9th Street North, Wahpeton, ND 58075
- Phone: 701-642-8701
- Website: https://www.srctc.k12.nd.us
#4The University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota offers a Culinary Corner that includes a demonstration kitchen with free and fee-based cooking classes.
Classes are led by student instructors, UND nutrition students, and guest chefs.
Courses Offered
The following cooking classes are available:
- Kitchen Basics: Chicken Street Taco
- Kitchen Basics: Chicken Alfredo
- Kitchen Basics: Korean Corn Dogs
The university also offers a Human Nutrition Degree program.
This program can be completed in four years and includes 120 credit hours.
The program is available entirely online.
Students learn through:
- Lesson modules
- Streaming video content
- Virtual libraries
- Posted lectures
- Online simulations
Contact Information
- Phone: 701.777.3000
- Website: https://und.edu
#5Cooks on Main
About the School
Cooks on Main offers a wide range of classes for cooks of all ages.
Classes are designed to teach the fundamentals of cooking while also exploring more creative techniques.
The topics covered include:
- Pastry making
- Baking bread
- Pizza
- Knife skills
- Kitchen basics
- Date night classes
International cuisine classes that transport participants back to a favorite vacation spot are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 224 Main Street, Williston, ND, 58801
- Phone: (701) 572-2665
- Website: https://cooksonmain.com
#6The 1889
About the School
The 1889 offers a variety of cooking classes, including:
- Baking Bootcamp- Kid’s Summer Camp
- Chicken Pad Thai
- Cooking Classics- A Tour of Italy
- Classic Italian Cooking- Tortellini And Rose Sauce
- Gluten Free Breads
- Choux-La La- Gluten Free Pastry
- And more
The Baking Bootcamp costs $400.
This is a one-week summer adventure that gives young bakers the opportunity to mix, whisk, knead, and decorate their way through a full lineup of classic treats and new favorites.
Students bake:
- Cooking on Monday
- Quickbreads on Tuesday
- Cake Donuts on Wednesday
- Pies on Thursday
- Cupcakes on Friday
Contact Information
- Address: 602 Main Ave, Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: 701.809.5040
- Website: https://www.the1889fargo.com
#7Institute 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.
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.
The program can be completed in 16 months.
Students may participate in classes live or view them on demand.
Contact Information
- Address: 225 Liberty Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10281
- Phone: (888) 354-CHEF
- Website: https://www.ice.edu
#8Escoffier 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
#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 program teaches students the skills 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.
Students also learn 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
#10Culinary 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.
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.
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
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in North Dakota
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$45K
|
|
|
$71K
|
|
|
$98K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in North Dakota
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | 40 | $62,930 | $30.26 | $86,030 | $40,680 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about cooking delicious meals and you want to turn this passion into a full-time career, the schools included in our list can prepare you with the skills and credentials that will get you job-ready in less than two years.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and decide what format best fits your schedule, budget, and career aspirations.
