Best 11 Culinary Schools in Florida
Looking to start cooking in the Sunshine State? Then you are in luck! There are many incredible culinary schools in Florida that will help you jump start your career.
If you are thinking of working in the hospitality field, getting a degree is step number one. You will be amazed by how much you can learn at a culinary school and shocked by how far a degree can get you. You are far more likely to grab that dream job when you have formal culinary education and a degree to prove it.
Why not get the degree you need in a beautiful, warm place like Florida? Florida is famous for its delicious food, is home to many great culinary schools and each one is a little bit different. We will give you all the information you need to start your Florida culinary school search. Let’s dive right into the world of Florida culinary education!
1. International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes: Tampa, FL
Whether you are looking at culinary schools solely in Florida or are interested in other states as well, The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute is where you want to be.
Start taking classes at the Tampa location, Miami campus or move to Texas, Virginia or Georgia. The school operates in several states, teaching the incredible culinary arts in diverse areas.
The Art Institute of Tampa offers baking and pastry, culinary arts and culinary management programs. Work toward earning an associates degree or a diploma in your specific field. Classes focus on developing your culinary creativity while teaching you the fundamental skills you need to succeed in the food service industry.
A degree from this nationally recognized school is sure to help you become the chef you have always wanted to be.
Scholarships and Fees:
Associate of Arts (AA)
Culinary Arts
- Course duration: 77 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $51,750
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Culinary Management
- Course duration: 132 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $103,500
Diploma (D)
Baking & Pastry
- Course duration: 55 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $33,125
- Lab fee: $1,500 $
Culinary Arts
- Course duration: 55 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $33,125
- Lab fee: $1,500 $
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in International Culinary Arts (Higher Diploma in International CA plus)
2. Keiser University for Culinary Arts: Melbourne, Sarasota, Tallahassee, FL
With several locations throughout Florida, the Keiser University for Culinary Arts is convenient and reputable. The comprehensive curriculum includes hands-on laboratory sessions and classroom courses so you can study food while also learning how to make it.
In addition to learning about food on campus, students are required to complete an externship program at a nearby restaurant, hotel or other culinary outlet.
This helps gain real-world experience and can set students up with a future job. Upon graduating from Keiser, students go home with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts, accredited by the American Culinary Federation. This degree will take you far!
Scholarships and Fees:
Culinary Arts
- Cost of tuition : Per year – $20,800
- Book fees: $2000
- Other fees: $3,200
3. Hillsborough Community College: Tampa, FL
Trying to decide which career path you’d like to follow within the hospitality field? Then you should definitely check out Hillsborough Community College.
The school has multiple culinary and hospitality degrees and certificate programs to choose from. From Event Planning to Hospitality and Tourism, Dietetic Technician to Culinary Management, this school has it all!
Choose which specialty you would like to pursue. Hillsborough community college will help you become a professional chef, giving you the skills you need and knowledge of the culinary field. Or, you can study back of house operations and prepare to run your own restaurant or hotel. You can find it all here on the beautiful Tampa campus.
Scholarships and Fees:
Hospitality and Culinary
- Per program – (60 credit hours)
- Cost of tuition : For In-state: $6,263.4; For Out-of-state: $22,776.6
4. Gulf Coast State College: Panama City, FL
Turn your passion for the culinary arts into a real career starting at Gulf Coast State College. Begin by earning your certificate in culinary arts and then continue your education to earn a culinary management associates degree.
Each class is taught by a professional chef in a state-of-the-art culinary facility. A low student to teacher ratios ensures that you get the help and attention you need to thrive. This culinary program covers all of the bases!
Scholarships and Fees:
Culinary Management
- Per program – (60 degree hours)
- Cost of tuition : For In-state: $4,375.2; For Out-of-State: $17,660.4
- Additional fees: For In-state: Student Activity Fee – $7.29/credit; Capital Improvement Fee – $7.29/credit; Financial Aid Fee – $3.65/credit; Technology Fee – $3.65/credit; Access Fee – $3.95/credit
- Additional fees: For Out-of-State: Student Activity Fee – $7.29/credit; Capital Improvement Fee – $24.69/credit; Financial Aid Fee – $14.72/credit; Technology Fee – $14.72/credit; Access Fee – $3.95/credit
5. Florida State College: Jacksonville, FL
The Florida State College in Jacksonville, FL is a nationally recognized culinary school accredited by the American Culinary Federation. You’ll learn all about the culinary arts business from the kitchen to front of house.
Earn an Associates Degree in Culinary Management or Hospitality and Tourism Management. There are also several certificate programs that help you to learn at an accelerated pace. Florida State College will give you a strong culinary foundation at an affordable cost.
Scholarships and Fees:
Culinary Management (A.S.)
- Course duration: 600 hours
- Cost of tuition : $6,293 aprox
- Plus additional fees
Hospitality and Tourism Management (A.S.)
- Course duration: 600 hours
- Cost of tuition : $6,607 aprox
- Plus additional fees
6. Sheridan Technical College: Hollywood, FL
Do you have a passion for food? Then you should join others who share that love at Sheridan Technical College. Here, you can earn your Associate’s Degree in Professional Culinary Arts and Hospitality. With classes on Monday through Friday, you still have time to hold a full time job outside of school. Grab a job at one of the many nearby Hollywood restaurants to get great hands-on experience!
With classes like nutrition, culinary baking and controlling foodservice costs, you will not only learn to cook, but also how to manage a kitchen or hospitality business. School hours are spent both in a classroom, in a kitchen lab and online. Sheridan Technical College covers it all!
Scholarships and Fees:
PROFESSIONAL CULINARY ARTS & HOSPITALITY
- Course duration: 40 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $4, 672
7. Florida Technical College: Kissimmee, FL
Culinary school isn’t just about cooking, it is also about learning the business side of the hospitality world. Florida Technical College will teach you both parts of the industry and help you become a well rounded, successful chef.
The Culinary Arts Diploma program will teach you everything from kitchen safety to how to perfectly cook meats. Much of the coursework can be completed online, offering great flexibility. The career path you choose is also quite flexible as this program will prepare you for a job as a banquet cook, a catering chef or an entry-level restaurant manager. So many possibilities lie ahead once you get your diploma from FTC.
Scholarships and Fees:
Culinary Arts Diploma
- Per program (71 credit hours)
- Cost of tuition : $19,200
- Program Lab Fees $400
8. McFatter Technical College: Davie, FL
Further your love for cooking at the Florida Technical College. You can earn a Diploma in Culinary Arts and acquire the skills needed to obtain an entry level position in the hospitality field. Students will also earn their ServSafe Food Manager certification while at the school: a certificate necessary for many hospitality positions.
Learn everything from proper meat preparation, baking and pastry and kitchen safety. McFatter has a well rounded program that will prepare you for any kind of kitchen career. Whether you want a job on a cruise ship or in a hotel, you will be ready once you complete your degree at McFatter!
Scholarships and Fees:
Baking and Pastry Arts
- Course duration: 6 months/ Hybrid
- Cost of tuition : FL resident – $2,288; Out of state – $7,328
Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality
- Course duration: 12 months Full-Time or 18 months Part-Time/ Hybrid
- Cost of tuition : FL resident – $4,601; Out of state – $14,681
Culinary Vegetarian & Plant Based Specialty
- Course duration: 6 months / Hybrid
- Cost of tuition : FL resident – $2,557; Out of state – $7,597
9. Valencia Colleg: Orlando, FL
The Valencia College Hospitality and Culinary program emphasizes hands-on experience. From menu planning to cooking for large crowds, you will learn everything you need to know to have a great career in the hospitality field.
Aside from on-campus classes in state-of-the-art instructional kitchens, students will also complete internships to help gain more real world experience.
Valencia College offers an Associates Degree program, several different certificate programs and also a simple continuing education course. Choose the level of education you’d like – each one will help further your love for food.
Programs & Degrees:
Associate in Science
- Baking and Pastry Management
- Culinary Management
- Restaurant and Food Service Management
Certificate
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Chef’s Apprentice
- Culinary Arts
- Culinary Arts Management Operations
- Restaurant and Food Service Management
Scholarships and Fees:
- Course duration: full time – 2 to 3 years; part-time – 3 to 4 years
- Cost of tuition : The average cost for an A.S. Degree program is approximately $6,500 – $7,000
- Plus additional fees for books and supplies and special fees.
10. Miami Dade College Miami Culinary Institute:– Wolfson Campus Miami, FL
Miami Culinary Institute will give you an exceptional learning experience that will prepare you for success in the real world. The Culinary Arts Management program will give you an associates degree and help you get a job immediately out of school.
You can also take college credit courses in culinary arts or a chef’s apprentice course. Both of these courses can be put toward a different degree program at the college.
The world class facilities at MCI are the perfect place to increase your passion for food. You will learn classic culinary skills as well as innovative, new cooking techniques. The program also focuses on nutrition, sustainable foods, and general culinary knowledge. You will be a very well-rounded chef once you complete a culinary program at MCI!
Scholarships and Fees:
Culinary Arts Management
- Course duration: 2 years
- Cost of tuition : $7,093.20
- Plus additional fees: $18,644.00
Culinary Arts Management Operations
- Course duration: 1 year
- Cost of tuition : $2,127.96
- Plus additional fees: $11,450.00
Chef Apprentice
- Course duration: 16 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $1,418.64
- Lab fee: $6,912.00
11. Lake Technical College: Eustis, FL
Ready to further your culinary career? A degree from Lake Technical College is a great way to do it! This course is perfect for budding new chefs or for professionals who are looking to get a formal degree in the culinary arts.
You will learn basic culinary knowledge, supervision, and sanitation; all skills essential in the hospitality industry. There are also exciting classes like pastries, ice carving, and garde manger, where you will learn all the hands-on culinary skills you need. The program at LTC is 6 to 12 months’ long, depending on the degree path you choose. One thing is for sure, you will love every minute of it!
Scholarships and Fees:
PROFESSIONAL CULINARY ARTS & HOSPITALITY
- Course duration: 40 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $3,456
- Plus books and other fees
BAKING AND PASTRY ARTS
- Course duration: 28 weeks
- Cost of tuition : $1,728
- Plus books and other fees
If you are a resident of Florida, then a culinary school in your home state just makes sense. If you are simply looking to continue your education in the culinary field, why not do it in the Sunshine State?! There are so many fantastic culinary schools in Florida to choose from. We know you will find the best fit for you!
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