Learn the Culinary Arts at Utah Cooking Schools

A tourist state with a taste for new flavors, Utah is one of the best culinary training centers in the country. Aspiring chefs and food industry workers can look forward to receiving high quality education and training from Utah cooking schools. Programs are administered by qualified instructors, kitchens are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and students can learn rare skills from the robust local food scene.

Finding a Cooking School in Utah

As a culinary student, you have to give priority to those Utah cooking schools that combine classroom teaching with practical training. Schools should ideally cover theoretical subjects like hospitality management, nutrition, food safety and sanitation. In addition, practical training in kitchen facilities or student-run restaurants should be included in the curriculum.

There are a few differences to note between degrees and certificates and/or diplomas. While the duration of degrees is longer, they provide more extensive knowledge of various disciplines. Certificates and diplomas are shorter programs that focus on teaching technical kitchen skills. Degrees are usually seen as more valuable to recruiters, but certificates give students an early start.

Whichever school you believe is best for your culinary career goals, it should have these necessary resources:

• Kitchen facilities and student-run eateries
• Theoretical coursework on sanitation and safety
• Internship/apprenticeship/job placement opportunities
• Professional cooking instructors

Utah Local Scene and Cuisine

It is up to students to enhance their own education by taking part in the local food community. Utah has the advantage of being a tourist state, which gives chefs the opportunity to play with different flavors and create interesting dishes. Get a taste of local cuisine and introduce yourself to chefs as often as possible to get in touch with your future employers.

It will also help your career to become a member of these industry associations:

• The American Culinary Federation in Salt Lake City
• The Utah Restaurant Association
• The Research Chefs Association in Rocky Mountain

Job Opportunities in Utah

Getting your training at Utah cooking schools is only half the learning experience. By being involved in the local food community, joining associations and seizing opportunities to practice, you increase employment probabilities. Given that the average sous chef earns $35 000 in Utah, you should aim to excel in your studies to land a good paying job.

The most culinary work opportunities are in cities like Salt Lake City, St. George and Logan. These cities have many hospitality and tourism establishments looking to hire qualified graduates. Alternatively, you can try job-hunting in Sundance and Park City. Although they are not as large as the other cities, they have a steady flow of visitors each year. You can find and apply to the businesses that benefit from human traffic brought by tourism.

Best Utah Cooking Schools

• Art Institute of Salt Lake City – International Culinary School
• Utah State University
• Utah Valley University
• Salt Lake Community College
• Utah College of Applied Technology
• Bridgerland Applied Technology College
• Brigham Young University