Best Culinary Schools in the State of Texas

Texas might not immediately spring to mind when thinking about culinary schools and culinary arts. Many people associate Texas with Tex-Mex food, and wrongly assume that’s what Texas is all about. Americans and others also associate Texas with cattle ranching, so it’s no surprise that beef is on a lot of menus in the state, especially with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo held every March. There’s a lot to do in the state and the various cities in Texas have a lot to offer all age groups.

The Texas state capital, Austin, has an amazing number of restaurants serving virtually every cuisine you could hope for. Vegans can easily find great meals, as can those who are gluten intolerant. All tastes and budgets are catered for, but the choice of eateries can be bewildering. Ask locals for their recommendations and check out the local papers, or go online and browse through the lists.

There are many culinary schools in Austin to choose from. A student should decide what he or she wants to specialise in and then pick one of the best schools for the particular skill needed in his or her chosen field. For example, a would-be pastry chef might choose to study at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts which offers financial aid for students who qualify for it. This school teaches its students how to cook and bake and most importantly, has very high standards of excellence.

Auguste Escoffier’s impact on the world of cooking

Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Pastry Arts
• Diploma in Pastry Arts
• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Culinary Arts

Source: ESCOFFIER

Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935) was a renowned French chef, restaurateur and writer who promoted modern French cooking methods. He was determined to be the very best chef and he achieved that ambition. he was, without doubt, one of the most influential chefs in the region, and it was he who helped to raise the standards of cooking so that it became a respectable and desirable career to follow.

Every student studying at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin can be proud to follow in Escoffier’s footsteps. Employers know that standards are high in Escoffier Schools of Culinary Arts, so a job is virtually guaranteed after completing a course at this institution.

Other culinary courses available in Austin Texas

Austin Community College

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Certificate in Culinary Arts
• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts – Baking and Pastry
• Certificate in Pastry Arts Culinary Arts
• AAS Degree in Hospitality Management- Baccalaureate Prep Specialization
• AAS Degree in Hospitality Management- Hotel and Restaurant Specialization
• AAS Degree in Hospitality Management- Meeting and Event Planning Specialization
• AAS Degree in Hospitality Management- Travel & Tourism
• Certificate in Hospitality Management
• Certificate in Meeting & Event Planning
• Certificate in Travel & Tourism

Bistro
Source: ACC

The Austin Community College offers courses leading to Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and certificates in Culinary Arts, and Baking and Pastry. Students learn about kitchen operations, how to plan a menu, food preparation, baking, food safety, food purchasing, and the basic kitchen skills which are necessary for would-be chefs.

Not only do students learn how to cook, but they are also taught how to order ingredients, how to examine the quality of those ingredients, how to effectively manage a restaurant or kitchen, and how to safely use professional kitchen equipment (including appliances used in restaurant kitchens). These courses in the culinary arts also teach students about nutrition.

Courses usually last for two years and at the end of their period of study students might choose to apply for positions as a chef, baker, sous chef, caterer, menu planner or restaurant manager. To be accepted in these courses, students need to have a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. There are also degree programs in culinary arts, both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

One of the benefits of studying culinary arts in the Austin Community College is that students can work while they are studying. There is also ample opportunity to practice new skills as there are two restaurants on campus where students can use their newly learned culinary arts techniques, while cooking for the public. The kitchens are state-of-the-art, so the students can learn how to operate the most up-to-date kitchen equipment and appliances and be prepared for working in virtually any setting.

Arts Institutes at Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry
• Diploma in Baking and Pastry
• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• AAS Degree in Restaurant & Catering Management
• BS in Culinary Management
• BS in Food & Beverage Management
• BS in Hospitality Management

Source: ARTINSTITUTES

There are Culinary Arts courses run by the Arts Institutes at Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio in Texas. In addition, there are online courses, although obviously if you are studying the culinary arts it is preferable to have face-to-face tuition from an expert chef who is a highly-experienced professional. Programs give students opportunities to learn to cook a variety of cuisines, such as Asian, Latin, American and other world cuisines. Students are taught not only to cook but also plan budgets and to appropriately price and plan menus. They are also given the opportunity to learn about food service technology, operations management, nutrition, and sanitation and safety. They gain experience in a variety of culinary techniques, including classical ones.

Students are also able to learn pastry and baking techniques, so that when they complete their courses, they are able and well-rounded chefs. The environment student chefs work in is as close to that of real world restaurants as it is possible to get, so they will be able to cope in an actual kitchen at a busy, top tier restaurant.

The experience that students gain in Arts Institutes culinary arts courses proves invaluable when they land their first jobs as chefs.

El Centro College

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Certificate in Culinary Arts Foundations
• Certificate in Culinary Arts Specialist
• AAS Degree in Bakery/Pastry
• Certificate in Bakery/Pastry Foundations
• Certificate in Bakery/Pastry Specialist
• AAS Degree in Food and Hospitality Management
• Certificate in Food and Hospitality Foundations
• Certificate in Food and Hospitality Specialist

Ranked number one for culinary arts courses in Dallas is El Centro College. Students can study a variety of courses: an AAS Degree in Baking & Pastry; Culinary Arts; or Food & Hospitality Service. Then there are the certificate courses: Certificate in Bakery & Pastry; Basic Culinary Skills; Certified Food & Hospitality Manager; and Food & Hospitality Services.

The three AAS degree courses are validated by the ACF (American Culinary Federation), which, in itself attests to their professional grade quality.

Courses are flexible, and students can opt to take them in the day, in the evenings or even Saturday classes. Students in these courses can practice skills, demonstrating their knowledge about food preparation and serving customers.

In addition to theory, students have to satisfy a practicum requirement so that they get experience working in a professional environment. In addition, students can choose to gain experience by joining the on campus CSA (Culinary Students Association), which gives them the chance to network with other culinary arts students and also to compete with students from other colleges for state-wide culinary arts competitions.

Albany Technical College

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• AAS Degree in Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management
• Diploma in Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management

Albany Technical College runs a course leading to a Culinary Arts degree and there are also Culinary Arts diplomas. The programs combine theory and practice so that students are prepared for a job in the real world of restaurants and catering.

Students learn how to estimate the cost of food and supplies, as well as order these. In addition, they learn about health and sanitation issues, customer service, menu preparation and purchasing. Other skills taught are: –

Students also learn about hospitality functions.

Culinary Institute LeNotre-Houston

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• AAS Degree in Baking & Pastry Arts
• Diploma in Baking & Pastry Arts
• AAS Degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management

The Culinary Institute LeNotre-Houston, Texas, offers courses leading to an AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts; a AAS Degree in Culinary Arts; a Baking and Pastry Diploma; and a Culinary Arts Diploma.

The full-time degree program can be completed in 80 weeks. If students take a part time degree program, it can be completed in 120 weeks. Diploma courses can also last for 80 weeks if a full-time course is followed. There are some courses which are not offered by other institutions mentioned in this article, such as the LeNotre course for sommeliers, and a course for those who wish to pursue a career in hotels.

LeNotre diploma courses last from 50 to 60 weeks and these are a combination of theory and practice with a practicum component.

International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Houston

Culinary Programs

• AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry
• Diploma in Baking and Pastry
• AAS Degree in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• AAS Degree in Restaurant & Catering Management
• BS in Culinary Management
• BS in Food & Beverage Management

Another institution that provides Culinary Arts courses in Houston is The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Houston. This establishment offers an AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry; an AAS Degree in Culinary Arts; an AAS in Restaurant and Catering Management; a Bachelor of Science in Food and Beverage Management; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Culinary Management; a Diploma in Baking and Pastry and a Diploma in Culinary Arts.

Students have the opportunity to be mentors to high school students who wish to pursue a career in the culinary arts. They also involve the local community and teach healthy cooking skills on outreach courses.

Students are encouraged to interact with top chefs at special events such as “Guest Chef” when they have the opportunity to learn as they prepare a meal to serve to members of the public.

Choosing Courses in the Culinary Arts

Of course, there are many other courses in the culinary arts all across Texas, in Arlington, Frisco, Pasadena, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, for example. It is important to choose a course that combines theory and practice. A hands on approach really counts in certain ares. For example, one of the most important skills a student has to learn is how to calculate the correct amount of ingredients when cooking for many people. Restaurants don’t like to waste anything, and guests expect there to be sufficient food for all. This along with many other skills is best learned through practice with the aid of an instructor.

The institutions in this article that offer the culinary arts courses are not listed in any particular order, as some may be better than others for certain individuals, but all are very highly regarded. What is ideal for one student my very well not be for another. For that reason, there is no ranking here.

Courses vary from institution to institution, so students should study the prospectus of each and decide which school best suits their needs. If your passion is cooking, Texas has plenty of high quality culinary school to choose from.