Culinary Schools in West Alton MO

CULINARY SCHOOLS > MISSOURI > WEST ALTON

Looking for the top Culinary Schools in West Alton MO? 44% of those with culinary roles like Executive Chef, Head Cook, and Line Cook have a culinary degree.



Earnings are based on where as well as in the type of establishment one works. The actual median annual salary of chefs along with head cooks has been around $42,490. Most culinary schools give a strong opportunity for acceptance into their school – typically close to 75-80% acceptance rate.

Cooks normally must possess physical strength, manual dexterity as well as a good sense of taste and aroma. They must have the capacity to function like a member of any team. Chefs as well as head cooks should have the creativity to formulate recipes. They must be strong leaders and possess good communication and time management abilities.

West Alton MO Culinary Schools






Hickey College

940 Westport Plaza,
Saint Louis, Missouri
9.43 miles away

Phone: (314) 434-2212 x125

4-year primarily associate's, 500 enrolled, 17 to 1 student to teacher ratio





L'Ecole Culinaire

9811 South Forty Drive,
Saint Louis, Missouri
13.74 miles away

Phone: (314) 587-2433 x201

2-year or less, private program, 477 enrolled, 18 to 1 student to teacher ratio





Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-St. Louis

7898 Veterans Memorial Pkwy,
St Peters, Missouri
13.97 miles away

Phone: (636) 696-4850

2-year or less, private program, 461 enrolled, 32 to 1 student to teacher ratio





Saint Louis Community College

5600 Oakland Ave,
Saint Louis, Missouri
15.54 miles away

Phone: (314) 644-9100

2-year or less, public program, 29200 enrolled, 22 to 1 student to teacher ratio


Chef Cooking Schools & Programs

A chef can get basic certification that demonstrates to an employer that they have achieved a specific level of culinary proficiency, while classroom and hand-on instruction can elevate a culinary career to new heights. 44% of high level chefs have a culinary degree.


If you prefer to explore certification in the culinary field, the below certificates are highly regarded throughout the culinary industry. In order to obtain your certification, you may need to have some work experience in the field, take a written exam, and renewals may be required every few years.

Certification Name Certifying Organization
Certified Correctional Food Systems Manager American Correctional Food Service Association
Certified Chef de Cuisine American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Executive Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Master Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Personal Certified Executive Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Foodservice Professional Certification North American Assoc. of Food Equip. Manufacturers
ProChef Level III Certification The Culinary Institute of America
Certified Personal Chef United States Personal Chef Association
Certified Correctional Foodservice Professional American Correctional Food Service Association
Certified Culinary Administrator American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Executive Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Master Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Sous Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Working Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Decorator Retail Bakers of America
Certified Wedding Planner The Wedding Planning Institute


Baking and Pastry Schools

Specific culinary programs and schools are available that focus on baking and pastry creations. Such programs are quicker to complete and offer a very specialized and valuable skill set.

How Long Does Culinary School Take?

The time needed to finish a culinary degree will depend on the avenue taken. Professional culinary degrees can range from 2 to 4 years at top programs. There are shorter options that take a few months to a year for more specialized training that are more focused towards lower entry culinary jobs.


What Is The Cost of Culinary School?

The cost of a culinary degree depends on what a person is aiming to achieve in the culinary field. Some careers such as Food Scientists and Nutritionists require a degree to have success in their field. If the goal is to become an executive chef, an official degree from a known culinary program will be very valuable. On the other hand, someone can become a successful chef by starting in an entry level position and working their way up. Experience is important in the culinary field. It's important to understand and balance the formal education along with actual experience. These two factors play an important role in the assessment of cost and overall success of someone's culinary career.

The cost to attend a top culinary program can range around $20,000 to $50,000 per year. On the other hand, there is a lower cost path to a culinary degree via community colleges and technical schools. Costs typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. Public universities are also a good option but are more expensive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 in tuition per year.