Institutes, Colleges and Universities in SC for Culinary Arts Students

One of the most dynamic food scenes for chefs is Charleston, South Carolina. Akin to New Orleans in uniqueness, Charleston is awash in traditional coastal southern fare, soul food and inventive fusions of traditional fare plus modern American flavors.

Choosing a SC Cooking School

Take the time to choose carefully among culinary and cooking school programs and match the curriculum to your professional goals: chef, pro cook, kitchen assistant, pastry chef/baker, restaurant manager, or wine and beverage specialist. You’ll find one of the most popular culinary arts institutes in Charleston, AI’s International Culinary Institute, perfect for ambitious and motivated chefs and pastry chefs.

Other solid choices include a variety of four-year colleges and universities with Bachelors and graduate degrees in culinary arts management, hospitality management, food technology/culinology, nutrition and dietetics and more. Also consider the value of community college and technical college cooking programs—these are usually Associates or Diploma programs designed to fast-track you to a career with plenty of potential.

Since the object of a culinary arts or cooking school education is a career, then make sure the school you choose is amply armed with an array of tools and coursework designed to prepare you for immediate entry to the job market, South Carolina or beyond:

• Well-equipped teaching kitchens that give you experience with all the latest industry equipment and gadgets
• Pro chef/instructors
• Opportunities to engage in internships/externships/apprenticeships
• Career guidance and job placement services
• Student-run restaurant in which to cut your teeth

Explore the Local Food Scene: Valuable Culinary Culture

Expand your academic training to include a very in-depth exploration of the local and regional South Carolina food scene. Dive into the dishes at the “best of” local restaurants, upscale AND downscale, dissect the nuances of flavor, the seasonal ingredients, the inventive menus, and learn the tactics of the best local chefs.

Local food and wine festivals not only deliver big entertainment, but also offer concentrations of some of the best local restaurants, recipe and chef competitions, wine and beer tastings, and a cultural tour of the traditional culinary environment.

Add these to your calendar:

• Charleston Food and Wine Festival
• Annual Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Supply Show of the Southeast, Myrtle Beach
• Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Mt. Pleasant
• International Festival of Wines and Food, Columbia

Speaking of building your career credibility, consider a student membership in a respected industry association. The popular American Culinary Federation has local chapters in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Florence, and Hilton Head.

Getting a Chef’s Job in South Carolina: Culinary Job Outlook

The job market for new chefs and food service industry pros is thriving in South Carolina. You’ll find entry- and mid-level opportunities in Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and clusters of inventive culinary cultures in many smaller cities throughout the state.

Salaries vary widely specially when it comes to experience. For example, the salary of an executive chef in Charleston is exponentially higher than that for a line cook. But remember, many of the most celebrated chefs in the world launched their careers as dishwashers and line cooks. Average salary for sous chef in Charleston is $34,000.

List of South Carolina Cooking Schools

International Culinary Schools of the Art Institute of Charleston is one of over 30 campuses in the U.S. featuring one of the most popular and respected culinary arts programs and in partnership with sponsor, The Food Network. Learn international cuisines, cooking methods and consummate kitchen skills that will prepare you to compete in even the most grueling food service industry markets. Programs in Charleston include: Bachelors Culinary Arts Management, Associates Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry, Associates Culinary Arts, and Culinary Arts Skills Certificate.

The Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College provides a top-notch affordable career-driven program in a very marketable sector. Learn the food industry skills you need to compete from a school that knows how to prepare you for a solid career entry. Programs include: Associates Culinary Arts Technology, Associates Hospitality and Tourism Management, Certificate Baking and Pastry, Certificate Hospitality Industry Service, Advanced Certificate Culinary Arts, Advanced Certificate Baking and Pastry, Advanced Certificate Hotel Operations, and Advanced Certificate Event Management.

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

Bob Jones University – Greenville
Clemson University – Clemson
Denmark Technical College – Denmark
Greenville Technical College – Greenville
Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Conway
South Carolina State University – Orangeburg
Trident Technical College – Charleston
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Winthrop University - Rock Hill