Become a Chef in Bluegrass Country
Louisville, Lexington and Bowling Green are academic culinary hotspots in Kentucky. Here is where you’ll find some of the best schools in the state as well as sophisticated and inventive local food cultures.
As far as culinary programs go types of schools vary. For example, four-year colleges and universities usually deliver culinary and hospitality degrees with a business emphasis, while 2-year community colleges pack in skills with basic supervisory or management, and technical and vocational schools usually specialize in one-year diplomas or certificates, fast-tracks to entry-level jobs.
Tips for Choosing a Culinary School
The list below features all of the Kentucky schools with plenty from which to choose. But what really matters in a culinary arts institute or a hospitality program?
Career is the ultimate goal, so check out schools based on how well each prepares you for that final test. Common requirements of a very well developed school:
- Required internship, externship or apprenticeship opportunities
- Accomplished regional and/or national chef/instructors
- Well-equipped teaching kitchens
- Career guidance and job placement
- Student-run restaurants
Learning the Local Food Culture
Once you’re enrolled make the local food culture a top priority– whether you’re in Lexington or Louisville. Experience the popular dishes—Kentucky Fried Chicken was founded here—and sample the best reviewed restaurants. Learn about the best chefs in the area and sample their fare. Sometimes the best concentrations of local restaurants and food are found at regional food fairs and festivals. Add these events to your academic calendar:
- Annual World Chicken Festival, London
- Anderson County Burgoo Festival, Lawrenceburg
- Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown
Farmers markets dot the region, as well, and feature seasonal farm-fresh foods, baked goods and foodstuffs.
Get Your Chef’s Whites and Get a Job
Professional industry associations are usually a well-respected addition to any chef’s resume. Consider a student membership in one of the regional chapters of a national organization:
- American Culinary Federation – Lexington and Louisville chapters
- Women Chefs and Restaurateurs – national
- Research Chefs Association – Central Region
As a member in an organization like these you have access to certain benefits: job postings, job fairs, networking opportunities with other members like you, scholarships, and industry events and conferences.
Starting out expect to be among the lowest paid in the restaurant kitchen, most chefs are, but with the right amount of ambition, team player attitude, leadership potential, passion and personal vision, you’ll move upward quickly. Salaries are bleak on the entry-level end, but do gain momentum with experience AND education. Salary range for a sous chef in Lexington is between $30,000 and $40,000.
List of Kentucky Cooking Schools
National Center for Hospitality Studies at Sullivan University is a world-renowned curriculum designed for a wide variety of industry specialties, including culinary arts and pastry arts. Grads are well-respected for their know-how and easily find jobs with growth potential.
Kentucky State Colleges, Community and Technical Colleges Offering Culinary and Pastry Arts, Restaurant Management, and/or Hospitality Degrees
Eastern Kentucky University – Richmond
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College – Elizabethtown
Jefferson Community College – Louisville
National College – Lexington
Sullivan University – Louisville
University of Kentucky – Lexington
Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green