Cooking Schools in the State of Missouri

A variety of cooking schools in Missouri deliver the gamut of culinary program. You’ll find diploma programs from local technical and career colleges specializing in accelerated and job-focused programs; Associates degrees from community colleges, and a few Bachelors degrees from four-year colleges in majors emphasizing hospitality, restaurant and/or culinary management.

Choosing a cooking school shouldn’t be an impulse decision. First your intent to pursue cooking as a career should be based on your passion or “calling” for the vocation. Celebrity status comes to few and the business is a labor of love for most pro chefs. Also, not all cooking schools are created equal especially when it comes to preparing you for a top-notch job. Make sure the school you choose is amply prepared to get you fit for employment:

• Internship opportunities
• Student-run restaurant
• Well-equipped teaching and demo kitchens
• Professional and visiting chef/instructors
• Career guidance short-term and long-term
• Job placement

You can boost your career credibility even more if you consider a membership in a local chapter of a professional organization:

• American Culinary Federation-St. Louis, Branson, Kansas City, Central Missouri chapters
• Research Chefs Association-South Central Region
• Personal Chefs Association-Greater St. Louis Chapter

Regional Food Scene as Educational Experience

An integral part of your culinary education must include immersion in the local and regional culinary scene. Seek out the best reviewed restaurants, the most celebrated local chefs, learn about the native ingredients, seasonal menus and test the local job market waters for opportunities.

St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield all offer surprising clusters of eclectic and innovative culinary action. Acquaint yourself with the local top chefs at the annual Chef’s Classic held in Kansas City the end of each June.

Get a Chef’s Job in Missouri

Don’t limit your job options. As a working chef you can work in a wide spectrum of environments and some will pay more than others, too:

• Restaurant, high volume
• Hotel restaurant or kitchen
• Nursing home, hospital, medical center
• Corporate kitchen
• Banquet, catering
• Personal, private chef
• Resort, spa
• Casino

Salaries vary based on exact location, your education, professional experience and type of establishment. Average salary for a sous chef in Missouri is between $30,000 and $43,000. A sous chef typically must have 2-3 years experience plus successful supervisory and management skills.

List of Missouri Cooking Schools

L’Ecole Culinaire in Ladue is one of two world-class campuses in the region sporting demanding and exacting chef curriculums. Courses are taught by professional chefs with knowledge of exactly the skills required of an entry- or mid-level chef or baker. Programs include Associates Culinary Arts or Culinary Essentials Diploma.

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

Central Missouri State University – Warrensburg
College of the Ozarks - Point Lookout
East Central College – Union
Fontbonne College – St. Louis
Forest Park Community College – St. Louis
Lake Career and Technical Center – Camdenton
Jefferson College – Hillsboro
Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City
Northwest Missouri State University – Maryville
Ozarks Technical Community College - Springfield
Patricia Stevens College – St. Louis
Rolla Technical Institute – Rolla
Saint Louis Community College - Forest Park
Saint Louis University – St. Louis
Saline County Career Center – Marshall
Southwest Missouri State University – Springfield
University of Missouri-Columbia – Columbia
Waynesville Technical Academy – Waynesville