The Culinary Education in Montana
In Montana, the wildlife may outnumber people, but there are still plenty of hungry residents here who enjoy going out for great food with friends. Added to this are the thousands of tourists who come to enjoy Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, as well as Montana’s countless other seasonal recreational activities. Montana receives visitors from all over the world, so it’s only natural that its restaurants serve a variety of cuisines to suit all palates.
The One Place to Go
Aspiring caterers and restaurateurs may need to look a little bit harder for a school in Montana than in other states. There is just one accredited traditional-campus culinary school in the whole state of Montana. Fortunately for Montanans who hope for a career in the hospitality and food industry, there are online programs too. You may even be able to get personal cooking lessons from one of the many friendly neighborhood chefs who work in all corners of the state.
Formal, on-campus culinary training is available at the University of Montana College of Technology. The program at the University of Montana is accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), and has both certificate and degree opportunities. The Culinary Arts Certificate program has a two-semester curriculum that focuses on culinary training essentials such as baking, patisserie, meat preparation, etc. The Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Hospitality Management is a four-semester program that incorporates the certificate program and additional business, economics, and marketing classes. Upon graduation, students will be qualified to become certified by the ACF.
The Culinary Arts faculty members at the University of Montana are professionals who work in the field, which affords students a contemporary perspective on the industry. An added feature at this program is the internship and work opportunities available at the campus dining room. Students can put their knowledge to work in the front, back, or catering operations of this restaurant.
In addition to text books, students will be responsible for purchasing their own supplies and uniforms. Supplies include such vital tools as a meat thermometer, knives, measuring spoons, spatula, calculator, and cake decorating kit.
Jobs in Montana
Luckily, the number of culinary schools in Montana is inversely related to the number of cafes, eateries, delis, restaurants, hotels, and resorts that are in constant need of qualified personnel. The local tourist industry is sustained by two world-renown destinations: Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. These two areas alone account for numerous hospitality and culinary jobs. The state’s major city centers of Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls also have their share of dining establishments, schools, and catering needs.
Salaries in the Montana’s culinary arts sector vary depending on job function and level of responsibility. The average salary for a restaurant manager and chef ranges around $44,000, while a bartender makes an average of $70,000, and a caterer makes about $35,000.
Online 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
Le Cordon Bleu
The group of Le Cordon Bleu Schools have 17 campus locations in the United States
1 800 457-CHEF (2433)
www.chefs.edu/online/
B.A. Culinary Management
ACCSC, CCSC & ACICS 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
On-Campus Schools
University of Montana
909 S Avenue West
Missoula, MT 59801
406-391-7130
www.umt.edu