Find an Arkansas Culinary Arts Degree Program

Arkansas’ active chef associations and quality culinary school programs make this a top destination for next-gen chefs and culinary professionals. If you expect this state to lag behind others in quality of culinary distinction, guess again.

Fueled by the success of various food TV programs, chefs especially have wide open opportunities in many regions of the country. Job markets continue to demand more qualified, better-educated and ambitious chefs, pastry chefs and savvy restaurateurs. And with the move toward local, natural ingredients you are finally able to learn the true native cuisines of America. When you bring your own culinary innovation and creativity to the kitchen is when you have the potential to become the next most celebrated Arkansas chef.

Arkansas Culinary Scene

Check out the culinary scene of Fayetteville, Little Rock and eclectic Hot Springs. Fayetteville’s annual charity chef event—Top Chefs and Rock Stars—shines a spotlight on the power behind some of the area’s top talent in cheffing and music. Tyson Foods, Inc. is a major mover in the Arkansas food service industry, as well, and is headquartered in the state. The company partners with state colleges and universities to provide appropriate internships when available.

Arkansas State Chef Associations and Professional Organizations

If you’re going to cooking school in Arkansas check out the opportunities available to you through a state professional food service organization or association. These resources are of huge benefit to students trying to break into the culinary business in Arkansas. Some may even offer scholarships, but all definitely provide support, networking opportunities. Annual conferences provide educational seminars and chances to meet and greet professionals in other aspects of the industry, such as hospitality, resorts, restaurant management and more. Figure out that you also work hand-in-hand with other types of food service and hospitality professionals and you will build some very lucrative alliances.

Arkansas professional organizations:

• Arkansas Restaurant Association
• Arkansas Hospitality Association
• American Personal and Private Chef Association – Arkansas
• Northwestern Arkansas Chef’s Association

Chef Salaries in Arkansas

Salaries depend upon a lot of factors. Your level of education, years of kitchen or management experience, type of restaurant or establishment and city can all affect your annual bottom line as a chef or restaurant professional. Expect executive chef salaries to range from $40,000 to $50,000. These are quite upper-level chef jobs. Entry-level station cooks will likely earn an hourly wage.

Where to Find a Chef Job in Arkansas

After school you have plenty of job options available to you as an entry or mid-level chef, pastry chef or kitchen cook in Arkansas:

• Restaurants, bistros, cafes
• Wine bars
• Hotels, resorts, spas
• Casinos (there are a couple)

Keep in mind that many of the most celebrated chefs launched their careers with very meager jobs as dishwashers and as salad chefs and vegetable choppers.

Cooking Schools in Arkansas

Arkansas Career Training Institute - Hot Springs
Arkansas State University - Main Campus
Arkansas Tech University – Russellville
Black River Technical College – Pocahontas
Garland County Community College - Hot Springs
North Arkansas College – Harrison
Ouachita Baptist University – Arkadelphia
Ozarka College – Melbourne
Phillips Community College - Helena
University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff