If you want to start a career in the culinary field in the state of Pennsylvania, 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, certificate programs, and associate degrees, preparing 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 Pennsylvania was $64,940 as of May 2023.
Bakers reportedly made $33,430 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.
If you’re passionate about cooking delicious meals and you want to turn this into a rewarding career, we encourage you to read our list.
#1YTI Career Institute
YTI Career Institute offers a School of Culinary Arts- a division of YTI Career Institute- Lancaster.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the institute:
- Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management Program
- Pastry Arts Program
The Culinary Arts program helps students begin a new career in as few as 20 months.
The program blends online lectures with on-campus labs.
On top of culinary skills, students also learn professional development skills, restaurant management, and practice during a three-month externship.
Graduates of the Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management program are eligible to receive certification as Certified Culinarian through the American Culinary Federation if they are members of ACF prior to graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 3200 Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602
- Phone: (814) 201-2025
- Website: https://yti.edu
#2Indiana University of Pennsylvania
About the School
Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers a Culinary Arts program that offers students the opportunity to scale up their culinary skills.
The university offers small class sizes, world-class chef instruction, and a to-of-class externship.
Students work side-by-side with expert chef instructors in the kitchen and learn from them in the classroom.
Courses Offered
The following programs of study are available:
- Culinary Arts Associate Degree
- Baking and Pastry Associate Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree Transitions
The Baking and Pastry Associate Degree teaches the following skills:
- Artistic plate presentations
- Baking and pastry arts
- Beverage management
- Industry food trends
- Management and motivating employees
- Menu design
- Restaurant and business management
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1011 South Drive, Indiana, PA 15705
- Phone: 724-357-2100
- Website: https://www.iup.edu
#3Pennsylvania College of Technology
About the School
Pennsylvania College of Technology offers a Culinary Arts Technology program that gives students access to expert faculty, small class sizes, and a hands-on approach to education.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Foundations of Professional Cooking
- Sanitation
- Applications of Professional Cooking
- Menu Planning and Cost Control
- Introductory Baking
- Nutrition Concepts
- Nutrition and Wellness Application
- Culinary Capstone
- And more
The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).
Contact Information
- Address: One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701
- Phone: 570.320.2400
- Website: https://www.pct.edu
#4JNA Institute of Culinary Arts
About the School
JNA Institute of Culinary Arts has offered quality training for the food service industry since 1988.
The institute offers culinary arts and restaurant management programs as well as a variety of culinary and pastry arts certificates.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at JNA Institute:
- Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts
- Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Pastry Focused Certificate Classes
- Culinary Focused Certificate Classes
The Diploma in Culinary Arts includes the following cooking classes:
- Characteristics of the Food Service Industry
- Preparation
- The Cooking Process
- Cooking Science
- Stocks
- Sauces
- Soups
- Vegetable, Rice, Pasta Cookery
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1212 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19146
- Phone: 215 468 8800
- Website: https://www.culinaryarts.edu
#5HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
About the School
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers programs for students who want to earn a credential that helps them kick off their academic journey or take a few classes to advance in their careers.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts- Associate in Applied Science program is designed for students who are passionate about transforming ingredients into delicious dishes.
The degree is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Students take classes such as:
- World of Wine
- Culinary Math
- Sanitation & Safety
- Dining Room Management
- Cost Control: Food, Beverage & Labor
- Hospitality Supervision
- Intro to Hospitality Industry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Phone: 800-ABC-HACC
- Website: https://www.hacc.edu
#6Walnut Hill College
About the School
Originally named The Restaurant School, Walnut Hill College was founded in 1974, and it is one of Philadelphia’s first colleges to focus on excellence in hospitality education.
Its students live and learn in the heart of University City, Philadelphia.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the College:
- Culinary Arts
- Pastry Arts
- Restaurant Management
- Hotel Management
The college offers three specialized associate’s degrees and four comprehensive bachelor’s degree programs.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts balances kitchen training and business development courses.
Students get to prove their skills through real-world practice at Bistro Perrier, the on-campus restaurant, while learning concepts that prepare them for managing the business side of a kitchen.
Contact Information
- Address: 4207 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Phone: 215-222-4200
- Website: https://walnuthillcollege.edu
#7Northampton Community College
About the School
Northampton Community College provides a Culinary Arts program that helps students channel their passion for cooking and baking into a rewarding career.
Students may earn an Associate of Applied Science or Specialized Diploma in Culinary Arts.
The program offers an immersive educational experience.
Students graduate career-ready and prepared to embark on a new professional journey as chefs or bakers.
The Specialized Diploma is three-semester long and awards 47 credits.
The curriculum includes:
- College Success
- Kitchen Foundations
- Introduction to Baking and Pastry
- Culinary Arts Development
- Advanced Culinary Skills
- Culinary Operations
- Restaurant Operations
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020
- Phone: 610.861.5300
- Website: https://www.northampton.edu
#8Westmoreland County Community College
About the School
Westmoreland County Community College offers a top-rated Culinary Arts program that can lead to a degree, diploma, or a certificate.
The college offers a fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchen, knowledgeable professors, and connections within the industry.
The program includes classroom and food laboratory experiences.
Students are required to complete an internship.
This option accommodates both part-time and full-time students.
It is available as a two-year and a 16-month program.
The following degree options are available:
- Culinary Arts, AAS
- Culinary Arts, Diploma
- Culinary Arts, Certificate
The Certificate includes the following courses:
- First Year Seminar
- Foundations of Cooking and Baking
- Sanitation
- Foods Garde Manger
- Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
Contact Information
- Address: Youngwood Campus, 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697
- Phone: 724-925-4000
- Website: https://westmoreland.edu
#9Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
About the School
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center helps students prepare for a career in the culinary field by teaching them how to plan, prepare, and serve meals for upscale catered events and all levels of restaurant service.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Safety and Sanitation Procedures
- The Food Industry
- Knife Skills
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
- Breakfast Foods
- Seasoning and Flavoring
- Baking and Pastry Skills
- Foodservice Information and Technology
- And more
Students earn their ServSafe Certification at the beginning of the year.
Contact Information
- Address: 1730 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584
- Phone: 717-464-7050
- Website: https://lancasterctc.edu
#10Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
About the School
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center offers a Culinary Arts program that provides a solid foundation in culinary education.
This is one of only 122 secondary programs in the United States accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Courses Offered
The program of study includes safety and sanitation, nutrition, basic knife skills, cooking and baking concepts, menu planning, and dining room service.
Students are also encouraged to develop a work ethic that is in line with the industry’s stringent standards.
They may obtain ServSafe Food Handler certification.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Fourth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602
- Phone: 814-941-TECH
- Website: https://www.gactc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Pennsylvania
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$39K
|
|
|
$62K
|
|
|
$90K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 350 | $61,680 | $29.65 | $90,130 | $41,310 |
| Altoona, PA | 60 | $53,030 | $25.50 | $74,710 | $36,510 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 70 | $58,000 | $27.88 | $109,670 | $33,390 |
| Erie, PA | 150 | $55,320 | $26.60 | $75,520 | $37,200 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 60 | $53,290 | $25.62 | $72,330 | $38,500 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 270 | $62,560 | $30.08 | $87,730 | $39,930 |
| Johnstown, PA | 70 | $56,500 | $27.16 | $86,940 | $35,470 |
| Lancaster, PA | 310 | $57,770 | $27.77 | $79,990 | $39,480 |
| Lebanon, PA | 40 | $56,340 | $27.09 | $81,910 | $39,010 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,740 | $67,630 | $32.52 | $93,690 | $44,730 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,230 | $62,500 | $30.05 | $92,360 | $39,440 |
| Reading, PA | 160 | $62,660 | $30.12 | $88,100 | $40,240 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | 310 | $58,570 | $28.16 | $79,960 | $38,720 |
| State College, PA | 70 | $59,980 | $28.84 | $82,380 | $36,510 |
| Williamsport, PA | 40 | $55,680 | $26.77 | $76,010 | $35,360 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 150 | $57,710 | $27.75 | $78,820 | $39,370 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Before being ready for employment in a restaurant 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 Pennsylvania, the next step is to continue researching and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
