Review of Idaho Culinary Education

Idaho is known for having a beautiful landscape of mountain ranges, lakes, rivers, and lush green forests. Tourists and residents alike enjoy nature by skiing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. And although these past times may out-shadow the culinary offerings of the state, Idaho has plenty of opportunity for those looking to build a career in hospitality and cooking. After all, those outdoor adventure seekers will always need somewhere to eat!

The Basics

Idaho culinary arts and hospitality programs give students an opportunity to learn the science, art, and best practices of the industry. People from all areas of the hospitality industry will find value in the Idaho programs offering degrees and certificates.

With a limited number of programs in the state and caps on admission, it’s best to apply early to make sure you get in when and where you want. While in the program, students take classes on many aspects related to hospitality management and culinary arts. Class topics include baking, beverage management, hospitality services, nutrition, and kitchen management, among others. Some programs may offer more specialized classes in specific regions of cuisine.

Certificate programs take about one year of full-time classes and training to complete. Advanced Training Certificate programs can take sixteen months, and an Associate degree will take two years. In addition to regular school tuition, culinary students should expect to pay additional class fees for the purchase of supplies used in class and lab instruction, i.e. food, knives, and other items that are not provided by the school.

The Choice

Students in Idaho have two choices for on-campus culinary training, as well as additional online opportunities. On-campus students may earn up to an Associate’s degree, and will need a high school diploma or equivalent to be accepted. Online programs offer Bachelor’s degrees, which can give students a leg up on the career ladder right after graduation.

Idaho State University, in Pocatello, is convenient for students in the eastern part of the state. It offers Certificate, Advance Training Certificate, and Associate of Applied Science options. A bonus for program participants is the on-campus dining room and deli where students can work in a professional environment perfecting their skills in catering, serving, hosting, cooking, and event planning for the school and members of the public.

The Job

Graduates are likely to find a job they love in any of the thousands of restaurants, resorts, schools, and hotels in Idaho. Typical food industry salaries in Idaho range according to position, city, and experience. A waiter/waitress will earn an annual average salary of $22,550; a Registered Dietitian earns $51,050; a first-line supervisor will earn about $33,250; a head chef will earn approximately $40,850; and a restaurant cook earns an average salary of around $25,500.

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

On-Campus Schools

North Idaho College
1000 W. Garden Ave.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
208-769-3300
nic.edu
Culinary Arts
NWCCU Accredited

Idaho State University
777 Memorial Drive, Campus Box 8380
Pocatello, ID 83209
(208) 282-3327
isu.edu/ctech
Culinary Arts
Culinary Management
Restaurant Management
ACF & NWCCU Accredited

The Culinary Stone
Riverstone Shopping Center
2129 Main St., Coeur d’Alene Idaho
(208) 277-4116
culinarystone.com
Cooking Classes

Brigham Young University Idaho
525 South Center St.
Rexburg, ID, 83460
(866) 672-2984
byui.edu
Culinary Arts
NWCCU Accredited

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

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