Welcome to our selection of the best culinary and pastry schools in the state of Texas.
The schools included in our list offer programs designed to prepare students for employment in just a few months or two years– depending on the credential they want to pursue.
They do this by teaching students hands-on essential skills, such as:
- Cooking techniques
- Checking ingredients
- Following safety and sanitation standards
- Planning menus
- Baking math
- 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 Texas was $52,950 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $30,580 per year, on average.
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 Texas.
#1The Culinary School of Fort Worth
About the School
The Culinary School of Fort Worth offers hands-on culinary classes that give students the opportunity to earn a culinary certificate in only nine months.
The curriculum is designed to provide the universal training needed to support the fullest expression of students’ passion.
Students spend more than 75 percent of their time in the kitchen, where they learn:
- Foundational Techniques
- Savory
- Baking & Pastry
- Kitchen Management
- Nutrition
The program culminates in a two-month externship as well, providing students with real-world, on-the-job training.
The Foundational Techniques class covers knife skills, French classical techniques, meat fabrication, vegetable & fruit cookery, kitchen equipment and products, and more.
The Baking & Pastry class covers mixing methods, breads, cakes, pies and tarts, frozen desserts, plated desserts, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 6550 Camp Bowie Blvd #110, Fort Worth, TX 76116
- Phone: (817)737-8427
- Website: https://www.csftw.edu
#2Central Texas College
About the School
Central Texas College offers a Culinary Arts and Hospitality program that introduces students to the many careers and opportunities available in the hospitality field.
The degree programs provide training in restaurant management, hotel management, food and beverage management, and culinary arts and baking.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Baking and Pastry Specialization
- Baking
- Baking Skills
- Culinary Arts
- Restaurant Skills
- Food and Beverage Management Specialization
- Hotel Management Specialization
- And more
The Culinary Arts program includes classes such as:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Food Preparation
- Menu Management
- Garde Manger
- Intermediate Food Preparation
- Saucier
- Purchasing and Hospitality Operations
- And more
In total, the program includes 60 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 1800, Killeen, TX 76540-1800
- Phone: 800-223-4760
- Website: https://www.ctcd.edu
#3Galveston College
About the School
Galveston College offers a wide variety of academic and career pathways, including programs that can be completed in less than a year.
More than 80 certificate and associate degree programs are available at the college.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program available at Galveston College follows a comprehensive curriculum designed to inspire and equip aspiring chefs with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the culinary arts world.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Certificate- Culinary Arts- Level One- Basic Level
- Certificate- Culinary Arts- Level One- Advanced Level
- Associate of Applied Science- Culinary Arts
Program outcomes include:
- Discern and manage sanitation and health issues in the culinary environment
- Apply critical thinking to determine proper cooking methods
- How to respond to special needs of clients
- Apply critical thinking to increase recipes, lower fat, and meet other requirements of patrons
- Apply critical thinking to business and administrative aspects of the food service industry
Contact Information
- Address: 4015 Ave Q, Galveston, TX 77550
- Phone: 409-944-4242
- Website: https://gc.edu
#4Central Texas Food Bank
About the School
Central Texas Food Bank offers a Culinary Training Program for students who are interested in a career in food service.
The hands-on training program is designed to teach basic culinary skills, cooking techniques, knife skills, equipment operation, and professional development.
The program provides students with real-world experience in a state-of-the-art kitchen, preparing them for a career in the food service industry after graduation.
The program is free of cost and open to all members of the community.
It is subject to eligibility requirements.
Students get real-world experience in: basic cooking techniques, knife skills, food safety, nutrition, equipment operation, and professional development.
Contact Information
- Address: 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin, TX 78744
- Phone: (512) 282-2111
- Website: https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org
#5Texas Culinary Institute
About the School
Texas Culinary Institute offers culinary classes and a professional culinary Arts program.
The professional program can be completed in eight months and emphasizes hands-on training, giving students the opportunity to develop real kitchen skills through practical experience.
The program includes two terms of 14 weeks each.
Students attend classes four days a week.
Courses Offered
The curriculum consists of classes such as:
- Kitchen Safety and Sanitation
- Knife Skills and Equipment Identification
- Stocks: White, Brown, Fumet, Vegetable
- Soup Preparation
- Introduction to World Cuisine
- Italian Cuisine
- Mediterranean Cuisine
- Baking Math
- Pre-Hispanic Mexican Cuisine
- Introduction & Responsible Service
- Facilities & equipment safety
- And many more
Contact Information
- Address: 2101 Texas Ave. El Paso TX 79901
- Phone: 915-543-8923
- Website: https://www.txculinary.com
#6Tyler Junior College
About the School
Tyler Junior College offers a variety of degree and certificate programs.
Its catalog includes the following Culinary Arts pathways:
- Culinary Arts, AAS
- Culinary Arts, Advanced Baking and Pastry, Certificate
- Culinary Arts, Advanced Culinary, Certificate
- Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry, Certificate
- Culinary Arts, Basic Culinary, Certificate
- Culinary Arts: Foodservice Fundamentals, OSA
- And more
The Culinary Arts, Basic Culinary Certificate awards 22 total semester hours and includes courses such as:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Food Preparation
- Introduction to Hospitality Industry
- Fundamentals of Baking
- Advanced Food Preparation
- Nutrition for the Food Service Professional
- Dining Room Service
- Menu Management
- Hospitality Supervision
Contact Information
- Address: 1327 S Baxter Ave, Tyler, TX 75701
- Phone: 903-510-2200
- Website: https://tjc.edu
#7Texas State Technical College
About the School
Texas State Technical College offers a Culinary and Hospitality Management program that trains students in menu planning, catering, pastry, and cake decorating.
Students learn about food cost management and kitchen operations in professional-grade student-run kitchens.
The courses are offered in a hybrid format and allow hands-on culinary experience and classroom instruction.
The 20-month Culinary & Hospitality Management program leads to an Associate of Applied Science and costs approximately $16,200.
The program is available in a hybrid format.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Food Preparation
- Nutrition for the Food Service Professional
- Fundamentals of Baking
- Dining Room Service
- Food Production and Planning
- Technical & Business Writing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3801 Campus Dr., Waco, TX 76705
- Phone: 800-792-8784
- Website: https://www.tstc.edu
#8College of the Mainland
About the School
College of the Mainland offers a Culinary Arts program that allows students to sharpen their skills, unleash their creativity, and embark on a journey toward culinary mastery.
Students start cooking in the second week of class and participate in a chop challenge to identify their key strengths and interests.
They learn to work with state-of-the-art food service equipment.
Courses Offered
The following paths are available:
- Associate of Applied Science- Culinary Arts- A curriculum that covers baking and pastry, culinary nutrition, à la carte cooking, international and regional cuisine, and culinary supervision and management
- Certificate- Professional Cook- a program designed for those eager to start their culinary careers with a practical and targeted approach.
The Certificate can be completed in two semesters, while the AAS degree is five semesters long.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 Amburn Rd. Texas City, TX 77591
- Phone: (409) 938-1211 or (888) 258-8859
- Website: https://www.com.edu
#9Dallas College
About the School
Dallas College offers a Culinary and Pastry Arts program that includes 11 certificate and two associate degree options.
The Certificates take between two months and one year to complete.
The AAS degree takes two years to complete.
Courses Offered
The following workforce certificates are available:
- ACF Certified Culinarian Apprenticeship Related Instruction
- Bakery Assistant
- Culinary Arts Cook
- Wine and Beverage Management
- And more
These certificates can be completed in two months.
Credit Certificates that can be completed in eight months and one year are also available:
- Bakery/Pastry Foundations Certificate
- Bakery/Pastry Specialist Certificate
- Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate
- And more
Those who aspire to earn a Culinary Arts Foundations Certificate take classes such as:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Basic Food Preparation
- Advanced Food Preparation
- Principles of Healthy Cuisine
- Introduction to Hospitality/Industry
- And more
This credential costs approximately $1,800.
Contact Information
- Address: 1601 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
- Phone: 214-378-1500
- Website: https://www.dallascollege.edu
#10Lamar Institute of Technology
About the School
The Culinary Arts program at Lamar Institute of Technology can be completed in nine months and allows students to acquire a solid foundation in Fundamental cooking techniques, including:
- Knife skills
- Food preparation
- Various cooking methods
Graduates will be well-prepared for entry-level positions in various culinary settings.
Students are also introduced to the principles of kitchen management, including inventory control, cost management, and organizational leadership.
The certificate is offered through the Dual Credit program only.
The program includes 15 credits, 13 lecture hours, and 7 lab hours.
Students take technical courses such as:
- Fundamentals of Baking
- Basic Food Preparation
- Hospitality Supervision
Contact Information
- Address: 855 East Lavaca, Beaumont, TX 77705
- Phone: 800-950-6989
- Website: https://www.lit.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Texas
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$30K
|
|
|
$55K
|
|
|
$86K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Texas
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 70 | $48,310 | $23.23 | $71,650 | $29,180 |
| Amarillo, TX | 100 | $53,230 | $25.59 | $82,960 | $33,280 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 1,770 | $60,490 | $29.08 | $92,760 | $36,210 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 180 | $51,180 | $24.61 | $92,500 | $20,390 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 200 | $43,450 | $20.89 | $68,570 | $26,470 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 230 | $47,900 | $23.03 | $73,810 | $30,050 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 210 | $51,710 | $24.86 | $74,730 | $31,660 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 4,660 | $62,030 | $29.82 | $98,660 | $35,830 |
| El Paso, TX | 410 | $44,340 | $21.32 | $70,200 | $28,220 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 4,290 | $54,730 | $26.31 | $83,530 | $30,030 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 220 | $39,020 | $18.76 | $64,190 | $20,300 |
| Laredo, TX | 130 | $45,250 | $21.76 | $63,370 | $27,840 |
| Longview, TX | 90 | $42,660 | $20.51 | $67,400 | $28,410 |
| Lubbock, TX | 160 | $46,850 | $22.52 | $80,480 | $26,930 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 250 | $44,900 | $21.59 | $64,150 | $29,220 |
| Midland, TX | 110 | $51,700 | $24.86 | $81,020 | $21,840 |
| Odessa, TX | 60 | $51,760 | $24.89 | $78,910 | $31,390 |
| San Angelo, TX | 60 | $48,560 | $23.34 | $80,620 | $19,120 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 1,880 | $50,280 | $24.17 | $75,860 | $26,850 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 40 | $49,730 | $23.91 | $89,360 | $30,330 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 80 | $46,570 | $22.39 | $74,760 | $28,320 |
| Tyler, TX | 110 | $44,700 | $21.49 | $70,640 | $19,790 |
| Victoria, TX | 40 | $46,700 | $22.45 | $73,750 | $19,560 |
| Waco, TX | 100 | $50,330 | $24.20 | $82,400 | $31,440 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 50 | $43,010 | $20.68 | $68,350 | $19,140 |
* 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 Texas, 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 and learning style.
