Train to Become a Top Chef in Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau

Study cooking at a culinary arts school in Alaska and you are primarily clustered in a small handful of metro areas, including Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau. But if you’re thinking you’re in some backwoods restaurant row, forget it. Here are a few bright culinary scenes.

Expect to learn how to cook seafood, for the ocean is a major feature in the state’s past and present history. Fish and seafood are hauled fresh and sweet from the cold ocean waters everyday, steps from some of the most noteworthy restaurants in the state. Imagine new recipes for halibut, salmon and scallops. In fact, when salmon season opens Alaska’s top chefs turn up the heat on new and innovative recipes for this popular fish.

Your Education in Regional Cuisine

Use your time studying the culinary arts as a time to also experience the state’s original cuisine, the most celebrated chefs and the hot new food spots.

When you’re searching for cooking schools keep these questions in mind:

• What are your final culinary and personal goals?
• Does the school provide proven job placement?
• Do you have access to a student-run restaurant in which you can receive training as well as earn on-the-job kitchen experience that you can then add to your resume?
• Do you have the opportunity to participate in an internship or externship?

Top Cooking Schools in Alaska

Alaska Culinary Academy – Seward at the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC). The Professional Cooking and Baking program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation. You could follow in the footsteps of other student chefs and use this program as a steppingstone directly to the University of Alaska Culinary Arts degree program AND transfer your credits. Courses are designed for students fresh out of high school or for working professionals.

Alaska State Colleges, Community and Technical Colleges Offering Culinary, Restaurant Management, and/or Hospitality Degrees

Alaska Pacific University – Anchorage
University of Alaska – Fairbanks, Anchorage