Learn to Cook at a Top-Notch Culinary School in PA

The volume and quality of the cooking schools and culinary programs in Pennsylvania will likely make it difficult to choose. Check out the list: you’ll find a few of the best culinary arts institutes in the country right here between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. But you may also choose from among a long list of career colleges, community colleges, technical colleges and four-year state colleges and universities.

The PA Preferred Best Chef of PA Competition is a state-wide annual event that offers local and regional chefs a platform for really proving their culinary mettle. Regional winners from years past have hailed from cities all across the state, so you’ll find local culinary hotspots everywhere.

Education in the Local PA Food Scene

Part of your culinary academics must be a comprehensive exploration of the local food scene, whether it’s Philly, Pittsburgh, Altoona, or Hershey. Each has a certain flavor to offer, local dishes, best chefs and creative inventive restaurant fare from upscale to casual. Local food festivals offer a concentration of regional fare, and usually feature local “best of” restaurants, chefs, food competitions, and plenty of entertainment to color the atmosphere:

• Good Taste! Pittsburgh Food and Cooking Expo
• Pittsburgh Wine Festival
• Pennsylvania Food and Beverage Show, York
• Taste of Pennsylvania Wine and Food Show, York
• Pittsburgh Farm to Table

Getting a Chef’s Job in Pennsylvania

Ultimately your career is a priority, so when choosing a school make sure it offers the tools and services you’ll need to transition smoothly to a career with growth potential:

• Internships/externships and/or apprenticeships in local or national restaurants give you training as well as a possible first job
• Well-equipped teaching kitchens so you know your way around any pro kitchen Career guidance and job placement services
• Student-run restaurant(s) let you work while you learn and in busy locations possibly get a good taste of a high-volume kitchen

Membership in a local chapter of a professional industry association can give your resume more career credibility. The popular American Culinary Federation has 12 chapters statewide from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Organizations like this give you access to local likeminded professionals, the opportunity to network, the inside track on private job postings and admission to regional and national conferences and educational events.

Salaries for chefs in PA vary based on a few key factors, number one of which is experience. Good news is that many good job postings prefer chef candidates with a culinary arts education. Average salaries for a sous chef in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are $40,000 and $45,000, respectively. Location is a salary factor as well.

List of Pennsylvania Cooking Schools

International Culinary School at the Art Institutes of Philadelphia is one of two AI culinary campuses in PA. These ultra-popular programs continue to turn out highly qualified chefs and pastry chefs. You learn international cuisines, including classic French, get experience in high-volume student-run restaurants and have internship opportunities. Programs on the Philly campus: Bachelors Culinary Management, Associates Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts Diploma, and Baking and Pastry Diploma.

International Culinary School at the Art Institutes of Pittsburgh provides a world-class culinary education that gives you all the skills and know-how you need to make your way in nearly any pro kitchen. Programs include: Bachelors Culinary Management, Bachelors Hotel and Restaurant Management, Associates Culinary Arts, and The Art of Cooking Diploma.

Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh features the Le Cordon Bleu culinary curriculum, similar coursework as that of the original Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. This is a classic French cuisine program with some traditional American culinary work included. Programs include: Associates Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts, Associates Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking, Associates Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality and Restaurant Management, and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Skills Diploma.

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia strives to set itself apart from other programs with its commitment to travel abroad opportunities. The campus is state of the art and offers multiple student-run kitchens/restaurants. These are intensive academic and practical programs that also give you a generous amount of business courses as well. Degrees include: Bachelors Culinary Arts, Bachelors Restaurant Management, Bachelors Pastry Arts, and Bachelors Hotel Management.

JNA Institute of Culinary Arts in Philadelphia is a comprehensive career-oriented culinary school. Expect intensive accelerated courses that fast-track you to good jobs in the region. Programs: 30-week Professional Cooking and 60-week Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management.

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

Bidwell Training Center Inc. – Pittsburgh
Bradford School – Pittsburgh
Bucks County Community College – Newtown
Cedar Crest College – Allentown
Central Pennsylvania College – Summerdale
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania – Cheyney
Community College of Allegheny County – Pittsburgh
Community College of Philadelphia
Delaware County Community College – Media
Delaware Valley College – Doylestown
Drexel University – Philadelphia
East Stroudsburg University - East Stroudsburg
Erie Business Center – Erie
Gannon University – Erie
Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center – Altoona
Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg
Immaculata College – Immaculata
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Indiana
Keystone College - La Plume
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center - Willow Street
Lebanon County Career and Technology Center – Lebanon
Lehigh Carbon Community College – Schnecksville
Luzerne County Community College – Nanticoke
Marywood University – Scranton
Mercyhurst College – Erie
Messiah College – Grantham
Montgomery County Community College - Blue Bell-Pottstown
Newport Business Institute (ONLINE) - Lower Burrell
Northampton County Area Community College – Bethlehem
Pennsylvania College of Technology – Williamsport
Pennsylvania State University - Hazleton-Monaca-Reading-University Park
Pittsburgh Technical Institute – Pittsburgh
Reading Area Community College – Reading
Robert Morris College - Moon Township
Saint Josephs University – Philadelphia
Seton Hill University – Greensburg
Westmoreland County Community College – Youngwood
Widener University - Chester
Yorktowne Business Institute - York