Welcome to our selection of the best culinary and pastry schools in Utah and the programs they offer.
The schools included in our list offer certificate programs or associate degrees, preparing students for employment in restaurants, hotels, and other places that serve food.
We have selected both high-school and adult programs that focus on teaching relevant skills, such as:
- Checking ingredients
- Planning menus
- Inspecting supplies
- Monitoring sanitation practices
- Cooking math
- 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 Utah was $56,320 as of May 2023, while bakers reportedly made $33,040 per year, on average, higher than the national 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, the demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
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 of the best culinary and baking schools in Utah.
#1Salt Lake Culinary Education
About the School
According to their website, Salt Lake Culinary Education offers the most affordable American Culinary Federation certificate program in Utah.
Courses are just 12 weeks long.
Course Offered
The following professional programs are available:
- Accelerated Professional Culinary Chef
- Accelerated Professional Baking & Pastry program
The Accelerated Professional Culinary Chef covers:
- Traditional French as well as Modern cooking techniques
- Fundamental culinary principles
- Menu creation strategies
- Pricing systems and kitchen profitability
- And more
Available are the following cooking classes:
- Chef’s Table
- Junior Chefs Culinary Camp
- A Night to Taco
- Junior Chef Essentials to Baking
- Passion & Spice: Date Night edition
- Grill Master Workshop
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2233 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
- Phone: 801-464-0113
- Website: https://sliceutah.com
#2Culinary Arts Institute- Utah Valley University
About the School
The Culinary Arts Institute offers premier training for students interested in a career in professional cooking or baking.
Students get hands-on training in baking and classical cooking techniques.
The program includes practical lessons and real-world experiences.
Courses Offered
The A.A.S. in Culinary Education includes courses such as:
- Cooking Skills Development
- Nutrition and Food Service
- Culinary Math
- Pastry and Baking Skills
- Professional Kitchen I Cooking
- Food Service Management
- Advanced Pastry Baking
- Menu Design
- And more
Tuition at Utah Valley University is $489 per credit hour for resident students.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 West University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058
- Phone: (801) 863-8888
- Website: https://www.uvu.edu
#3Mountainland Technical College
About the School
Mountainland Technical College offers a nine-month Culinary Arts program that prepares students by teaching the fundamental principles and techniques of professional cooking and baking.
Students learn through:
- Classroom lectures
- Guest speakers
- Presentations
- Hands-on activities
Students learn, develop, and test their skills by using different cooking methods.
Tuition for this program is $3,625.
Additional fees bring the total cost to $4,261.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Culinary Math
- Culinary Techniques
- Advanced Culinary Techniques
- World Cuisine
- Garde Manger- Cold Kitchen
- Nutrition
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2301 West Ashton Blvd, Lehi, UT 84048
- Phone: 801-753-6282
- Website: https://mtec.edu
#4Ogden Weber Technical College
About the School
Ogden Weber Technical College offers hands-on training for tomorrow’s culinary leaders.
Students work closely with other staff, adapt to customer feedback, and ensure every dish meets the highest standards.
The program includes the following career skills:
- Foundational skills- students learn kitchen skills and cooking techniques, safety, sanitation, and knife skills
- Hands-on Kitchen experience- students practice skills in a real production kitchen, on a daily basis
- Learn from talented chefs- students work alongside experienced chefs to practice culinary skills and gain unique experience.
- Real Catering experience- trainees gain hands-on experience with planning and preparing food for large catering events.
Tuition is approximately $3,000 while materials cost an additional $380.
Courses Offered
Course outline includes:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Culinary Math
- Culinary Techniques
- Pies and Pastries
- Cakes and Frostings
- Custards and Frozen Desserts
- Food Purchasing and Budgets
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 200 N Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404
- Phone: 801-627-8300
- Website: https://www.otech.edu
#5Salt Lake Community College
About the School
Salt Lake Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that has been preparing students to become food service professionals for more than 25 years.
The program is located at the Miller Campus- a free-standing facility that includes a large, dynamic kitchen with modern equipment and multiple classrooms.
The facility includes more than 10,000 square feet of training space and includes:
- A demonstration kitchen
- Gas and electric kitchens
- Refrigerator
- Storage space
- Dining room
Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 4600 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84123
- Phone: 801-957-SLCC (7522)
- Website: https://www.slcc.edu
#6Park City Culinary Institute
About the School
Park City Culinary Institute offers culinary programs for entrepreneurs who want to open a business around food, passionate aspiring chefs, and career-oriented students.
The Professional Certificate in the Culinary Arts combines the Cuisine Certificate and the Pastry & Baking Certificate.
The program includes 192 hours of hands-on training, where students can choose their schedule to complete the courses in as few as 10 weeks or part-time over four months.
An accelerated program that allows students to complete the full curriculum in just five weeks by attending morning and afternoon classes together is also available.
As well, students have the option to enroll in a stand-alone Cuisine Certificate that gives them hands-on practice with meat, poultry, seafood, knife skills, and technical cuts.
This certificate includes 96 hours of training and can be completed in 5 to 8 weeks.
The Baking and Pastry Certificate has the same length and gives students hands-on practice with croissants, eclairs, French macarons, as well as tempering chocolate, bread baking, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 1484 S State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
- Phone: (801) 413-2800
- Website: https://parkcityculinaryinstitute.com
#7Dixie Technical College
About the School
Dixie Technical College offers a variety of programs that allow students to graduate in one year or less.
30 accredited hands-on programs are available.
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Dixie Technical College teaches all aspects of high-end cooking, baking, dining, catering, and management.
Students train under world-class chefs to master the tricks of the trade.
The program includes:
- Kitchen sanitation, food safety, and ServSafe principles
- Practice baking skills
- Master foundational cooking techniques
- Understand how to plan and execute catered events
Students train in a commercial kitchen environment with real-world equipment.
Contact Information
- Address: 610 S Tech Ridge Dr, St. George, UT 84770
- Phone: (435) 674-8400
- Website: https://dixietech.edu
#8Bridgerland Technical College
About the School
Bridgerland Technical College offers a Culinary Arts program that prepares students by teaching the fundamental principles and techniques of professional cooking and baking.
The program combines classroom lectures, guest speakers, presentations, and hands-on activities.
Courses Offered
The program courses include:
- Sanitation and Safety
- Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Culinary Math
- Culinary Techniques
- Soups, Stocks, and Sauces
- And more
The estimated program tuition and fees sum up to approximately $3,160.
Contact Information
- Address: 1301 N 600 W, Logan, UT 84321
- Phone: 435-753-6780
- Website: https://btech.edu
#9Rise Culinary Institute
About the School
Rise Culinary Institute offers free hands-on culinary training for refugee and immigrant women.
The free 12-week hands-on training program teaches core culinary skills, food safety, kitchen etiquette, and menu planning.
The program has two levels:
- Level I: Culinary Foundations program
- Level II: Culinary Internship Program
The Culinary Foundations part includes:
- ServSafe food safety certification
- Knife skills, baking, prep, and plating
- Classic techniques plus global flavors
- Meal planning and nutrition
- Kitchen tools, teamwork, and timing
Contact Information
- Address: 479 E 2100 S Unit C, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
- Phone: (801) 509-1205
- Website: https://www.riseculinaryinstitute.org
#10Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
About the School
An online program is 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.
Qualifying students may also receive financial aid.
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
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Utah
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$27K
|
|
|
$50K
|
|
|
$80K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Utah
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 50 | $48,000 | $23.08 | $83,010 | $24,890 |
| Ogden, UT | 230 | $48,080 | $23.12 | $75,720 | $25,780 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | 290 | $46,580 | $22.39 | $76,340 | $25,870 |
| St. George, UT | 110 | $46,290 | $22.26 | $74,710 | $25,320 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 980 | $48,970 | $23.54 | $80,010 | $27,110 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about baking and cooking 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 ready for employment in two years or less.
Now that you have read our selection of the best Utah culinary schools, it’s time to continue the research and decide what format best fits your schedule, budget, and career aspirations.
