Culinary Schools
15 Best Culinary Schools in Pittsburgh | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
Pittsburgh is home to a rich culinary history and culture. It is no surprise that there are many Culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
The Culinary schools in Pittsburgh are embodiments of the cooking practice and Culture in Pittsburgh which have been in existence for many years and still exist till the present.
Therefore, this article aims to examine the rich historical culinary schools in Pittsburgh, their requirements, costs and how to apply.
Are there Culinary Schools in Pittsburgh?
Yes, there are many culinary schools in Pittsburgh and these schools are outlined below;
- The International Culinary School at the Arts Institute
- Pittsburgh Technical College
- Community College of Allegany County
- Bidwell Training Center Inc
- Butler County Community College
- Westmore County Community College
- Forbes Road Career and Technology Center
- Gaynor School of Cooking
- Chop, Wok & Talk
- Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
- Drexel University
- The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
- JNA Institute of Culinary Arts
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Harrisburg Area Community College
How Much Does Culinary Schools Cost in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh Technical College costs a net price of $25,399 a year for its programs.
For the Community College of Allegheny County, net tuition costs are $8,707 a year. This is relatively a cheap school.
In Robert Morris University, the tuition per year is $26,917.
At Westmoreland County Community College, tuition on a yearly basis is a net price of $5,118.
What are the Requirements for Culinary Schools in Pittsburgh?
The majority of Culinary Schools in Pittsburgh require only a high school diploma or GED from prospective students for their admissions.
A minority few may require payment of an application fee.
What are the Best Culinary Schools in Pittsburgh?
1. Pittsburgh Technical College
The Pittsburgh Technical College provides courses in a hotel, and restaurant management, baking, pastry arts, and culinary arts.
This is one of the best culinary schools in Pittsburgh and it is located in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States of America.
In addition to assisting its students in comprehending and preparing for a fascinating job within the sector, they also aim to challenge you to picture the scene of its productive fields in the far future.
Lastly, the culinary program at Pittsburgh Technical College lasts 3 years for the Undergraduate program and 18 months for the postgraduate program.
2. The International Culinary School at the Art Institutes
This Culinary School is where you want to be whether you are only looking at culinary schools in Pittsburgh or are interested in other states as well.
The institution teaches amazing culinary arts in a variety of settings throughout various states.
Programs in baking and pastry, culinary arts, and culinary administration are available at the Art Institute of Tampa.
Culinary classes in this Institute put a strong emphasis on fostering students’ creativity in the kitchen while teaching them the core abilities they need to succeed in the food service sector.
Therefore, you will undoubtedly be able to become the chef you’ve always wanted to be with a degree from this globally renowned institution.
This is a good reason why it is one of the best Culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
3. Community College of Allegany County
The Community College of Allegheny County’s non-apprenticeship culinary arts program is designed to suit the demands of the contemporary hospitality industry.
Students are required to complete an internship of at least 300 hours in addition to practical laboratory experience during the duration of their studies.
Also, students are assigned mentors in the culinary field to who they are mandated to learn the intricacies of culinary arts and gain experience.
Further, full-time and part-time students may enrol in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the culinary school.
This is among the best culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
4. Bidwell Training Center Inc
The culinary curriculum at Bidwell Training Center equips its students for entry-level work in the food sector. It is rated highly among the culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
The school assigns one teacher for every four students for the centre kitchen lab classes.
In addition to the above, the aim of this is to cultivate a relationship between the teachers and the students.
Further, Its curriculum also includes managerial training and a constantly changing menu that prepares students to face the difficulties of the culinary sector.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the school possesses state-of-the-art facilities that enable interactive learning and quality education.
5. Westmoreland County Community College
The culinary arts program at Westmoreland County Community College features cutting-edge cooking facilities and knowledgeable professors with practical experience.
The school is one of the top culinary programs in Pittsburgh offering both a degree and a diploma.
Importantly, the aim of the school is to assist its students in exploring their cooking potential and honing them into skills necessary for the culinary industry.
Also, the school has produced some of the top culinary experts in the United States, including Certified Master Chef Rich Rosendale.
6. Bounty County Community College
Butler Community College’s culinary arts courses assists students in honing their skills in a commercial kitchen environment, equipping them for the demands of the current culinary industry.
The school offers both a certificate and an associate’s degree in culinary arts through the curriculum. It also offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in culinary arts.
Further, the major aim of this culinary school is to create a learning atmosphere while imparting knowledge to its students.
Another aim is to give its students the needed skills to navigate the culinary industry in their respective careers.
7. Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
The Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center provides private lessons,hands-on training, and a limited number of certifications in culinary arts.
It is highly rated among all the culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
The Center’s modern restaurant, bakery, and cafe provide students with practical experience right from the outset.
Also, Knife skills, sanitation, baking, and menu planning are just a few of the instructional topics that are covered.
Further, the school is known for covering everything a culinary enthusiast might need to successfully enter the culinary industry.
8. Drexel University
Drexel University should be given serious consideration by anyone seeking a comprehensive culinary bachelor’s degree.
A bachelor’s degree in culinary science and arts is available at Drexel because of its reputation as one of the best Culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
Also, It takes 185 credits total—185 credits in general education—to earn this degree.
Nutritional values, international cuisine, baking, pastry and butchering are just a few of the topics covered in class.
In addition, it is worthy mentioning that business minors are a popular choice among Drexel University’s culinary students.
9. The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
Culinary, pastry, hospitality, and restaurant management studies are available at Walnut Hill College.
The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College is rated by many as one of the best culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
A professional culinary arts instructor leads the hands-on cooking sessions. Walnut Hill College’s curriculum is unique in that it includes a trip that is paid for by the school.
In addition to the above, the chance to go to France, England, Florida, and the Bahamas to experience local cuisine and hospitality is available to students who have earned their associate’s or bachelor’s degree in one of the subjects offered by the school.
10. JNA Institute of Culinary Arts
A degree in Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management at JNA Institute of Culinary Arts has a specialization in either Culinary Arts or Pastry Arts.
The Modern cooking facilities possessed by the school provide hands-on labs and seminars where students can learn.
Also, the abilities required to succeed in restaurants, kitchens and eateries are mastered by the students.
During class field trips, students have the chance to network with members of the neighborhood business community.
Lastly, JNA places more of an emphasis on teaching students the abilities and self-assurance needed to comprehend the how and why of a recipe than simply teaching them to follow directions.
This is a good reason why it is one of the top culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
11. Harrisburg Area Community College
For students who wish to begin working as soon as they graduate, Harrisburg Area Community College offers an associate degree in Culinary Arts.
Notably, the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation has granted accreditation to the culinary arts program.
Culinary Students work in on-campus labs to get practical experience, and they can graduate with the designation of Certified Culinarian.
Also, the topics covered in the courses include the design of the menu, purchasing, and hospitality supervision.
Therefore, Students may enrol in classes either as full or part-time attendants, and most of the classes are held throughout the day.
This is a good reason why it is one of the best culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
12. Community College of Philadelphia
Students must be passionate about cooking and helping everyone in order to succeed in the Community College of Philadelphia’s Culinary Arts degree program
Notably,the American Culinary Federation offers an Apprenticeship status for graduates of CCP’s Culinary Arts AAS degree program.
In just two years, students can finish the curriculum, which also requires 400 hours of job experience.
Also, modern kitchen labs with hands-on classes taught by knowledgeable teachers are available at CCP.
Moreover, after graduation, graduate students receive support from the school with their job search and placement.
These are good reasons why it is among the top culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
13. Gaynor School of Cooking
Though it is a non-accredited cooking school in Pittsburgh, the Gaynor school of cooking is regarded domestically as one of the top culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
Gaynor’s School of Cooking, formerly a branch of the Peter Kump’s School in New York, upholds the standards of quality set out by its forerunner in the culinary industry.
Along with fundamental baking and cooking workshops, it also offers global programs and mixology courses.
The school also offers both full-time and part-time programs for its students.
14. Chop, Wok & talk
As the only Southeast Asian culinary school in the Pittsburgh region, Chop, Wok & Talk is one of the most visited restaurants in Pittsburgh and also one of the top-ranked culinary schools in Pittsburgh.
Notably, asides from the regular variety of available cuisine, Greek cuisine is only one of many different culinary traditions from around the world that are now included by the school in the practical session.
The acceptance rate at this school is 100 per cent and its students are frequently exposed to as many practical experiences and experiments as possible.
Furthermore, the school aims to develop and equip its students for the needs and skills required in the culinary industry.
15. Forbes Road Career and Technology Center
Forbes Road Career and Technology centre is one of the best culinary schools in Pittsburgh. It is also recognized in all the states in the US and all over the world.
The Culinary Arts curriculum at Forbes Road Career and Technology Center walks students through every facet of running a commercial restaurant, from cooking to cleanliness and administration.
Notably, the school offers full-time and part time programs as well as undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in culinary arts.
How Much Do Cooks Make in Pittsburgh?
The average annual cook salary in Pittsburgh is $29000, or $13.94 per hour.
How Do I Become a Cook in Pittsburgh?
Becoming a cook is not an easy feat, especially in a place like Pittsburgh. It requires a lot of grit, hard work, dedication and time.
The steps to follow to become a cook in Pittsburgh are looked at below;
- Know how the kitchen and restaurant work by getting a job working there.
- To attend a culinary school in Pittsburgh or apply for a cooking job, you need a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED.
- One of the most common ways to become a cook is to attend a culinary school.
- Experience plays a very huge role in the culinary industry. Obtaining practical work experience is paramount.
- Lastly, take a big leap of faith and get your first cooking job. Start small and work your way up the culinary career ladder.
Best Paying Culinary Jobs in Pittsburgh with Salary
A general manager, concessions earn between $45.5k – $57.7k per annum.
A full-time personal chef role in Pittsburgh makes $21 an hour.
Executive Chef partner makes an estimated $65.3k – $82.7k yearly in Pittsburgh.
A sous chef in Pittsburgh makes around $65,000 – $75,000 a year.
While a prep cook earns $30.9k – $39.1k annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
$300 to $60,000
The cost to attend Pennsylvania Culinary Institute ranges from $300 to $60,000 depending on the qualification, with a median cost of $30,000.
Our chefs love sharing their knowledge.
At the American Academy of Culinary Arts (AACA), Chefs who comprise our faculty season their extensive skills and experience with a passion for sharing their knowledge and love for baking and international cuisine. Meet the Chefs.
There are 33 culinary schools in Pennsylvania, which is impressive given the state’s small size. These schools offer a variety of certificate, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor’s degree programs.
Culinary arts is a broad term that refers to the preparation, cooking, plating, presentation, and service of food. It applies to meals and their components – like appetizers, side dishes, and main courses – rather than desserts or breads
The college also offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in culinary arts, and in Fall 2020, will offer a bachelor’s degree in business administration: restaurant and hospitality operations.
Although the entire Culinary Arts Program can take up to four years, the skills and techniques that you will develop is worth the while. Completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts has a lot of benefits.
Conclusion
Irrespective of the Culinary schools in Pittsburgh, the incredible city of Pittsburgh is a place you can call home and perfect for schooling as tuition costs are not extravagant.
This article has shed some light on the Culinary schools in Pittsburgh as well as the costs and requirements.
Therefore, the choice is yours and we hope you make the right decision of all the culinary schools in Pittsburgh after reading through this article.
Good luck!
References
- Reluctantgourmet.com – Best culinary schools in Pittsburgh
- Culinaryschools.org – Pittsburgh Culinary Schools
- Indeed.com – best-paying culinary jobs in Pittsburgh
- Zippia.com– Cook salary in Pittsburgh
