Find Top Culinary Schools in Connecticut

Culinary schools in Connecticut offer premier education and training to prep students for gainful employment in the industry. Programs merge classroom teaching with internship/externship opportunities to produce competent, qualified food service professionals.

Degrees and Certificates

Programs offered at culinary schools in Connecticut provide different levels of experience. Generally, Bachelor and Associate degrees have the most comprehensive curriculums with 2-4 year programs. Certificates are intended for students who need to learn the basics of an entry-level position.

Online Programs

Some culinary schools do not have campuses in Connecticut but offer excellent online programs. Studying online is recommended if you are employed full-time or when you need to supplement your formal training.

Admission Rules

Before submitting an application, make sure you meet the criteria set out by the school. A high school diploma or GED is required by many schools. However, some accept students regardless of this qualification. When searching for a culinary program, check the curriculum to see if courses meet your educational needs.

List of Culinary Schools in Connecticut

Rated as one of the best places to live, Connecticut is famous for its love for sports, culture and food. The state is host to several food and wine festivals, including the popular Annual Flavors of Connecticut and Sun Winefest. For students interested in becoming a part of the food service industry, there is no better place to learn and live.

Lincoln Technical Institute

The Lincoln Technical Institute is arguably the most celebrated culinary schools in Connecticut. Known to some as Lincoln Culinary Institute, it has since taken over Clemens College as well. The school has campuses around the state in Shelton, Hartford, New Britain and East Windsor.

The Culinary Arts program can earn you an Associate degree in a variety of disciplines. It teaches advanced cooking skills, baking techniques and preparation of many cuisines. There is also a Culinary Management curriculum that offers training in menu planning, wine pairing, management and economic studies.

Depending on the program chosen, students can work at the campus’ student-run establishments. Culinary Arts students complete their training at Café Protégé while Management students are trained at the CP Express.

Norwalk Community College

To prepare students for a successful career in the culinary industry, Norwalk Community College offers Certificate and A.A.S degrees in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts. Programs are designed to help students master cooking skills and trains those who want to become efficient managers.

Education includes both theory and practical work. Classroom teaching exposes students to safety, health and sanitation practices, while kitchen training hones cooking skills. Learners are also schooled in the principles of running restaurants, hotels and other hospitality centers.

Gateway Community College

Associate in Science programs and courses are available at the Gateway Community College. Students learn different food preparation techniques and how to manage the various resources of an establishment.

The programs also teach skills that are needed outside of the kitchen. This includes managing the inventory, using food service operation technology, controlling costs, marketing and performing certain duties at the front of the house.

Manchester Community College

The Manchester Community College has an award-winning Culinary Arts program that offers degrees and certificates in various areas. Programs have received accreditation from the American Culinary Federation and allows students to become members of the organization after graduation.

The school has an impressive track record of producing successful chefs, bakery owners and restaurant managers. Their curriculum also includes Hospitality Management, which prepares students to lead dining room teams and kitchen brigades.

Naugatak Community College

The Naugatak Community College strives to provide students with a wide range of skills. Those who aspire to own or manage an establishment can apply for an Associate degree in Food Service Management. For those interested in nutrition, a Certificate in Dietary Supervision is available.

The Food Service Management program introduces students to food safety, preparation, baking and purchasing. The Dietary Supervision curriculum is focused on teaching learners how to prepare food according to nutritional value, quantities and the health status of clients.

Saint Joseph College

If you are passionate about nutrition, Saint Joseph College might be the school for you. Students can get a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and become qualified dieticians if accepted into the 4-year program.

In addition to attending classes, students are required to apply for an internship with the program’s director. Although the curriculum does not include cooking classes, it is a good educational foundation for aspiring chefs who want to work for hospitals, health centers and health-conscious private clients.

Three Rivers Community College

The Three Rivers Community College is dedicated to training future leaders of the food service industry. The programs available focus exclusively on restaurant, hotel and casino management.

If you are an aspiring restaurateur, you can enroll in the Hospitality Management Associate degree program. The curriculum is a medley of business and culinary courses. Instructors teach students how to prepare food and manage beverages, and offer lessons on the principles of management and accounting.

University of New Haven

The University of New Haven offers Hospitality and Tourism Management programs that are one of a kind. The school has a fast track program that allows students to complete a 4-year Bachelor degree in 3 years. After graduation, you can either find employment or earn your M.B.A.

You have the option of choosing from four majors: Hotel and Resort Management, Events and Tourism, Food Service Management and Spa Management. There are also courses in Beverage Management available. Students can either choose to complete their training on campus or tour the world to experience different cuisines.

Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut

If you are looking for quality education on a budget, the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut is an option worth considering. The school allows external parties to sponsor a culinary student and looks for businesses willing to provide internships.

Their 12-week job training program is ideal for students who want to learn basic cooking techniques and skills. The curriculum includes knife skills, principles of baking, nutrition, safety and preparation of many kinds of foods.

Graduates are given the title of Qualified Food Operator and awarded ServSafe certification. The school also provides work for 6 weeks at the Community Culinary School Catering Business to gain experience.

Bristol Technical Education Center

The Bristol Technical Education Center uses a technical high school system to teach basic culinary skills and hospitality management. Students are required to take typical high school subjects in addition to their culinary training. The program is designed to help those that want to get into accredited culinary schools in Connecticut.

Grade 12 students interested in the Culinary Arts are trained in Advanced Restaurant Operations. This course helps to build on skills by teaching learners how to prepare Surmenu items, practice food safety according to regulations and run a public dining room.

Those interested in hospitality management can branch out and join the Professional Hospitality program. This course aims to develop communication skills, leadership and sales. Students are permitted to shadow industry experts as part of training.

Silo-Hunt Cooking School in Hill Farm

Cooking classes offered at the Silo-Hunt Cooking School can help inexperienced chefs sharpen their skills in the kitchen. Although courses are not accredited, they do offer training in basic cooking techniques and food preparation principles.

The school is a barn situated at the heart of Litchfield Hills. This location provides an intimate learning environment with access to local ingredients. Students are not only taught to cook and bake, but also learn how to pair wines with different cuisines.

Stratford Career Institute

The Stratford Career Institute is Connecticut’s hub of distance learning. With over 60 training courses, it offers a diverse selection of programs that allow students to acquire necessary skills from the comfort of home.

Students can sign up for the Hotel and Restaurant Management course to learn the ins and out of the food service industry. Study materials are shipped to your address and examinations are taken online. Once the course is completed, graduates receive a diploma and are able to apply for jobs at restaurants, motels, hotels, fast food franchises and other establishments.

Culinary Works LLC

If your culinary skills lack finesse, Culinary Works can help you refine them. This cooking school favors a hands-on approach to teaching and has a brigade of professional instructors to provide the on-site training.

Students can attend classes at Stamford and New Canaan, or request private cooking lessons at home. The purpose of the program is to sharpen your knife skills and teach both classic and modern cooking techniques. Seasonal classes are also available.

Sur La Table in Canton

Sur La Table is a popular hotspot for people who need to brush up on their cooking skills. It has branches in many states and hosts 2-2 ½ hour classes for anyone interested. The school might not offer degrees or certificates, but it is still regarded as one of the best culinary schools in Connecticut and other states.

Classes are small and intimate but provide quality culinary training. Instructors work side by side with students to prepare dishes and teach on the fundamentals of professional cooking. The training series explores different cuisines and gives students recipes to practice at home.

Rhubarb Kitchen

Want to master British cuisine? Rhubarb Kitchen one of the very few culinary schools in Connecticut that offers classes on British cooking and techniques. Lessons encourage students to learn how to use simple, basic ingredients to prepare dishes worthy of royalty.

There is no set curriculum so students need to check the website regularly for upcoming classes and dates. Alternatively, you can book a set of private classes for personal assistance. This program is a good choice for students who have already received formal culinary education but looking for additional training.

Cucina Casalinga

Cucina Casalinga is another cooking school in Wilton, Connecticut. It also offers private classes for students who prefer one-on-one instruction and group lessons as well. Classes are ongoing and available on demand throughout the year.

The core focus of lessons is to teach students how to cook Italian cuisine. The menu is Tuscany-inspired and includes pasta, meatballs and wine. Again, this training series is not for students looking for formal qualifications. It should be taken as continuing education for those who have already obtained a degree or certificate from an accredited school.

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

If you need convenient, affordable, quality culinary education, you can browse online programs offered at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. There is currently no campus in Connecticut but students can still obtain their qualifications online.

The Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Management is designed to deliver the same high standard of education offered in campus classrooms. It provides business development courses as well as marketing, cost, event and financial management. Graduates will be able to open and manage restaurants and other types of businesses.

The Associate degree in Culinary Operations combines theory with practice by allowing students to train both off and online. You can learn principles of food safety and sanitation, management and entrepreneurship online, and attend cooking classes in the campus kitchen to earn your culinary chops.

The Art Institute Online

If you have always dreamed of attending the Art Institute but there is no campus in your neighborhood or state, you can take online courses instead. AIOnline is a student portal for those who need a qualification from a prestigious culinary school without having to attend classes on campus.

Students need to complete a cooking program or apprenticeship to be accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Culinary Management program. A certificate from the American Culinary Federation is also accepted.

This online program includes courses on hospitality law, cost control, human resource management, and food and beverage operations. Studies encourage communication and leadership skills so students can take on managerial positions after graduation.

AIOnline also offers education in food sanitation and safety, menu planning, customer service and event management. Both kitchen and dining operations are explored to give students a working knowledge of the industry.