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Two benefits of this career are 1. The ability to express myself at work and to turn my creativity into a tangible item. 2. I would have fun doing my job everyday and would look forward to doing it.

A downside to this career is it requires a certain ability level that I'm not sure I could exceed.

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Some prestigious culinary schools in Pennsylvania that offer culinary training are: The Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts, The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, JNA Institute of Culinary Arts.

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By Kelley Jacobs
October 2016

Pennsylvania has one of the most thriving culinary scenes in the country. With over 25,000 restaurants and drinking establishments, more than 560,000 people have found employment in the industry. According to the National Restaurant Association, that number is expected to grow by over 44,000 by 2026, creating a demand for culinary professionals. Earning a degree or certificate from a top culinary school can help you secure a position in the field and advance up the career ladder.

We put together this list of the best culinary schools in Pennsylvania. Schools on our list are accredited and offer quality culinary programs that are well respected by the industry. Hands-on activities, externships, and on campus kitchen facilities are all offered by schools in our list. Below is our list of the 10 best culinary schools in the state.

#10. JNA Institute of Culinary Arts-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Culinary Program: AST in Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management

#9. Community College of Philadelphia-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Culinary Program: Culinary Arts Associate in Applied Science Degree

#8. Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: AA Degree in Culinary Arts; Certificate in Culinary Arts

#7. Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: Certificate in Baking and Pastry; Certificate in Culinary Arts

#6. Keystone Technical Institute-Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: AAS Degree; Culinary Arts Specialist; Baking and Pastry Diploma

#5. Pennsylvania College of Technology-Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts; BS Degree in Culinary Arts and Systems; AAS in Culinary Arts Technology

#4. The Art Institute of Philadelphia-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Culinary Program: AAS Degree in Culinary Arts; Baking and Pastry Diploma; Culinary Arts Diploma; BS Degree in Culinary Management

#3. The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: AS Degree in Baking and Pastry; AS Degree in Culinary Arts; Diploma in Baking and Pastry; BS in Culinary Management; Art of Cooking Diploma Program; Food and Beverage Operations Certificate Program

#2. The Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts-YTI Career Institute-Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: ASB Degree in Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management; Diploma in Pastry Arts (both have exemplary status)

#1. Westmoreland County Community College-Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Culinary Programs: AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry (Apprenticeship and Non-Apprenticeship Options); AAS Degree in Culinary Arts (Apprenticeship and Non-Apprenticeship Options); Restaurant/Culinary Management AAS, Diploma, or Certificate; Dining Room Management Certificate
Featured Ranking

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Top 10 Best Culinary Schools in Pennsylvania 2016 - 2017

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By Kelley Jacobs October 2016 Pennsylvania has one of the most thriving culinary scenes in the country. With over 25,000 restaurants and drinking establishments, more than 560,000 people have found employment in the industry. According to the National Restaurant Association, that number is expected to grow by over 44,000 by 2026, creating a demand for culinary professionals.

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No education needed past a high school diploma, but formal training is recommended. Pastry chefs need an understanding of baking, a strong work ethic, creativity, and motivation to make it in this somewhat competitive field. Taking a baking class at LCTI or in high school also would look good on a resume.

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What Is a Pastry Chef?

A pastry chef is a professional cook or patisserie who prepares desserts and a variety of baked goods, like cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, soufflés, truffles, and chocolates. They may also be responsible for creating a dessert menu in partnership with the executive chef. A trained pastry chef creates a wide variety of desserts and bread from scratch, which are precisely paired with the overall menu. In a kitchen, they may conduct food tastings with the wait staff, assume the role of supervisor in his or her absence, take inventory, determine food costs, develop menus, and create recipes, and assist with scheduling staff.

Pastry chefs may choose to focus on only one area of baking and pastry, such as artisan breads or wedding cakes. Maybe you have been inspired by television shows like Cupcake Wars or Last Cake Standing and want to create complex desserts. Maybe candy or cupcakes hit your sweet spot, or becoming a chocolatier and opening your own chocolate shop is your goal. Whatever your career aspirations, hands-on training is key.

Aside from the importance of training, pastry chefs must also have a number of skills and abilities, like creativity, as pastry chefs create innovative desserts and baked goods that help bring in first-time customers and convert them to regular clientele. They must have expert knowledge of the various ingredients used in creating delicious desserts and breads and how to make/bake them in an appetizing and flavorful way. Pastry chefs must have leadership skills, especially if in charge of all pastry staff in a kitchen. They must know how to motivate others, assign tasks, and have great time management skills so food doesn't burn and staff isn't overwhelmed. The job also entails an attention to even the smallest of details, as one tiny change to a recipe can make a big difference in the outcome. They must have good hand-eye coordination when cutting and preparing food, and an exceptional sense of taste and smell.

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Pastry Chef | Careers | Salary | TheArtCareerProject.com

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What Is a Pastry Chef? A pastry chef is a professional cook or patisserie who prepares desserts and a variety of baked goods, like cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, soufflés, truffles, and chocolates. They may also be responsible for creating a dessert menu in partnership with the executive chef.

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About 3,440 people in Pennsylvania are chefs or pastry chefs. About 74,430 pastry chefs work in restaurants and about 15,000 work in special food services. Jobs for pastry chefs can be anywhere there are restaurants.

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Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

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Bakers earn on average $25,020 a year. Assistant pastry chefs can earn around $30,000-$40,000 a year. This salary is hourly, not yearly. Full time pastry chefs may get health and life insurance, paid time off and retirement payment plans.

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Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

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Pastry chefs often work in kitchens or bakeries. Kitchens tend to be more fast-paced because of the awaiting customers, while bakeries are not as time-oriented. Many pastry chefs work 50-70 hours a week, meaning they could be working for 12 hours each day, depending on if you work in the morning or the evening. Teamwork is a big part of being a pastry chef, especially if you work in a kitchen. Everything has to get done in the right order and on time. Physically the job is relatively like any other job, usually you're standing up and actively walking around. Emotionally, as long as you love what you're doing it shouldn't be too emotionally draining.

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What Is a Pastry Chef?

A pastry chef is a professional cook or patisserie who prepares desserts and a variety of baked goods, like cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, soufflés, truffles, and chocolates. They may also be responsible for creating a dessert menu in partnership with the executive chef. A trained pastry chef creates a wide variety of desserts and bread from scratch, which are precisely paired with the overall menu. In a kitchen, they may conduct food tastings with the wait staff, assume the role of supervisor in his or her absence, take inventory, determine food costs, develop menus, and create recipes, and assist with scheduling staff.

Pastry chefs may choose to focus on only one area of baking and pastry, such as artisan breads or wedding cakes. Maybe you have been inspired by television shows like Cupcake Wars or Last Cake Standing and want to create complex desserts. Maybe candy or cupcakes hit your sweet spot, or becoming a chocolatier and opening your own chocolate shop is your goal. Whatever your career aspirations, hands-on training is key.

Aside from the importance of training, pastry chefs must also have a number of skills and abilities, like creativity, as pastry chefs create innovative desserts and baked goods that help bring in first-time customers and convert them to regular clientele. They must have expert knowledge of the various ingredients used in creating delicious desserts and breads and how to make/bake them in an appetizing and flavorful way. Pastry chefs must have leadership skills, especially if in charge of all pastry staff in a kitchen. They must know how to motivate others, assign tasks, and have great time management skills so food doesn't burn and staff isn't overwhelmed. The job also entails an attention to even the smallest of details, as one tiny change to a recipe can make a big difference in the outcome. They must have good hand-eye coordination when cutting and preparing food, and an exceptional sense of taste and smell.

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Pastry Chef | Careers | Salary | TheArtCareerProject.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What Is a Pastry Chef? A pastry chef is a professional cook or patisserie who prepares desserts and a variety of baked goods, like cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, soufflés, truffles, and chocolates. They may also be responsible for creating a dessert menu in partnership with the executive chef.

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Being a pastry chef entails creating all types of pastry and desserts in a wide-variety of environments. A typical workday would start around 3:30 if I was working in a restaurant. Dessert is typically the last thing diners order so I could end up being at work until 12:30 AM.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What Is a Pastry Chef?

A pastry chef is a professional cook or patisserie who prepares desserts and a variety of baked goods, like cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, soufflés, truffles, and chocolates. They may also be responsible for creating a dessert menu in partnership with the executive chef. A trained pastry chef creates a wide variety of desserts and bread from scratch, which are precisely paired with the overall menu. In a kitchen, they may conduct food tastings with the wait staff, assume the role of supervisor in his or her absence, take inventory, determine food costs, develop menus, and create recipes, and assist with scheduling staff.

Pastry chefs may choose to focus on only one area of baking and pastry, such as artisan breads or wedding cakes. Maybe you have been inspired by television shows like Cupcake Wars or Last Cake Standing and want to create complex desserts. Maybe candy or cupcakes hit your sweet spot, or becoming a chocolatier and opening your own chocolate shop is your goal. Whatever your career aspirations, hands-on training is key.

Aside from the importance of training, pastry chefs must also have a number of skills and abilities, like creativity, as pastry chefs create innovative desserts and baked goods that help bring in first-time customers and convert them to regular clientele. They must have expert knowledge of the various ingredients used in creating delicious desserts and breads and how to make/bake them in an appetizing and flavorful way. Pastry chefs must have leadership skills, especially if in charge of all pastry staff in a kitchen. They must know how to motivate others, assign tasks, and have great time management skills so food doesn't burn and staff isn't overwhelmed. The job also entails an attention to even the smallest of details, as one tiny change to a recipe can make a big difference in the outcome. They must have good hand-eye coordination when cutting and preparing food, and an exceptional sense of taste and smell.

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Pastry Chef | Careers | Salary | TheArtCareerProject.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What Is a Pastry Chef? A pastry chef is a professional cook or patisserie who prepares desserts and a variety of baked goods, like cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, soufflés, truffles, and chocolates. They may also be responsible for creating a dessert menu in partnership with the executive chef.