Directory of Culinary Programs in Kansas

Kansas is wheat and cattle country: the perfect combination for some traditional comfort foods like chicken fried steak and heart breads. But Kansas is also known for its barbecue, corn and greens. That doesn’t mean that chefs are penned in by tradition. Culinary schools across the state offer the training for chefs to try their hands at a variety of cuisines and to experiment with new tastes to create new trends. The next wave of culinary delights may push boundaries into new territories and have you questioning whether you’re in Kansas anymore.

Picking a program

Your education will be the beginning of your career, so it’s important to pick a quality program that will give you the right training to be successful. So keep in mind a few key components to look for when choosing a culinary program. First, make sure that there is a well-stocked, up-to-date kitchen that is run by students and is open to the public. It’s also helpful if the program sponsors a student-run restaurant or public dinner nights to give students valuable training opportunities. Next, look for programs that are taught by experienced instructors or chefs. Finally, look for programs that offer job-placement services, career counseling and opportunities for internships and apprenticeships. The overall focus of any culinary program should be on career preparedness.

Topeka at Night.

Getting into culinary school should be the easiest part of the process. Most schools have an open admission policy, and only require that students have a high-school diploma or GED. Some may ask for minimum grade standards or course prerequisites. More competitive programs may also ask that students take a test to measure their knowledge of basic kitchen practices, or they may consider work experience or other training such as attendance at workshops or conferences.

Getting your degree

You’ll be able to whip up a diploma in no time once you start your culinary education. Most programs can be completed in only two years or less – about half the time of a traditional degree. Some schools offer accelerated tracks that can be finished in about a year or less, leading to a certificate or diploma that can be used for immediate job placement or to segue into a traditional degree program. Night and weekend classes, summer sessions and online programs offer some flexibility for working adults or for those who wish to accelerate their studies even more.

Online programs are more common for degrees in hospitality and restaurant management, but options are available to finish your culinary education online. Video instruction is available in some cases, and previous lab work or kitchen experience can be used to complement online courses in others.

Starting out in the job market

Graduates are likely to find a job they love in any of the thousands of restaurants, resorts, schools, and hotels in Kansas. Typical food industry salaries in Kansas range according to position, city, and experience. A Registered Dietitian earns an average annual salary of $57,930; a first-line supervisor will earn about $32,510; a head chef will earn approximately $42,730; and a restaurant cook earns an average salary of around $25,000.

2019 wage data sourced from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Current wage conditions in your area may vary.

Of course, networking will benefit your job prospects and give you the inside edge on industry events and trends. Join professional networks such as the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association and attend local food and wine festivals such as International Pancake Day or the Grasshopper Festival. You’ll have the chance to meet local celebrity chefs and other industry professionals, and you can start building your reputation by entering competitions.

Campus-based programs

AIB International School of Baking
1213 Bakers Way
Manhattan, KS 66505-3999
785-537-4750
aibonline.org
Certified Baker
Certified Ingredient Service Provider
NCACS Accredited

Butler County Community College
901 S. Haverhill Road
El Dorado, Kansas 67042
800-794-0188
butlercc.edu
Hospitality Management
HLC Accredited

Flint Hills Technical College
3301 W. 18th Ave.
Emporia, KS 66801
620-343-4600
fhtc.edu
Hospitality/Culinary Arts
HLC Accredited

Fort Hays State University
600 Park St.
Hays, KS 67601–4099
785–628–3478
fhsu.edu
Tourism and Hospitality Management
HLC Accredited

Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66210-1299
913-469-8500
jccc.edu
Hospitality Management
Chef Apprenticeship
Pastry/Baking
Food and Beverage Management
Hotel and Lodging Management
HLC Accredited

Kansas State University
Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS, 66506
785-532-6011
k-state.edu
Bakery Science and Management
Food Science and Industry
Hotel and Restaurant Management
HLC Accredited

The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes International
8208 Melrose Drive
Overland Park, KS 66214-1626
913-217-4600
artinstitutes.edu/kansas-city
NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS
Baking and Pastry
Culinary Arts
ACICS Accredited

Washburn University
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621-1101
785-670-1010
washburn.edu
Food Service
NCACS Accredited

Online-based programs

American Culinary Federation
The ACF has over 200 chapters in the United States; its main campus is located in Florida
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL
904-824-4468
www.acfchefs.org
Continuing Education
Chef Certification
Chef Educators
Food Safety Certification
ACFEFAC Accredited

The Art Institutes of Pittsburgh – Online Division
The Ai has over 40 campus locations across North America, plus this online campus
420 Blvd of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA
412-291-6200
www.aionline.edu
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Culinary Management
MSCHE Accredited

Ashworth College
430 Technology Pkwy
Norcross, GA
770-729-9400
www.ashworthcolleg.edu
Professional Gourmet Cooking and Catering
Hotel and Restaurant Management
DETC Accredited

DeVry University
This University has 90 campus locations in 26 different states
One Tower Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
1-866-338-7934
www.devry.edu
Hospitality Management
HLC Accredited

eCornell
eCornell is an online program and subsidiary of Cornell University, located in New York
950 Danby Road, Suite 150
Ithaca, NY
607-330-3200
www.ecornell.com
Leadership and Strategic Management
Project Leadership and Systems Design
Financial Management
Management Essentials
Human Resources Management
Hospitality and Foodservice Management
Certificate in plant-based nutrition
HRCI and PMI Approved

Johnson and Wales University
JWU has campuses in Providence, Charlotte, and North Miami; its largest campus is in Rhode Island
8 Abbott Park Place, Providence, RI 02903
1-800-DIAL-JWU
www.jwu.edu
Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management
Culinary Arts and Food Service Management
NEASC Accredited

New England Culinary Institute
NECI has two campuses in Vermont; its main campus is in Montpelier
56 College Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
877-223-6324
www.neci.edu
Hospitality and Restaurant Management
ACCSC Accredited

Penn Foster Career School
925 Oak Street
Scranton, PA 18515
570-343-9635
www.pennfoster.edu
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Catering
DETC & CHEA Accredited

Sullivan University
SU has three campuses in Louisville, Lexington and Fort Knox. The main campus for its Global e-Learning program is located in Louisville
2100 Gardiner Lane
Louisville, Kentucky 40205
502-413-8830
1-866-755-7887
www.sullivan.edu
Beverage Management
CCSACS & ACF Accredited

University of Phoenix
This University has campuses in over 40 states, and two locations in Canada
4602 East Elwood Street
Phoenix, AZ
480-968-0587
www.phoenix.edu
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
HLC Accredited


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