Culinary Arts Schools in Colorado
Students of culinary schools in Colorado have much to draw from. Although there's some debate as to what constitutes Coloradan food, there's no doubt that the state's Mexican and Native American past, organic vegetables and grass-fed beef make for tasty cuisine. You probably won't find better green chili than in Colorado - although many restaurants claim to serve the very best one. Lean buffalo meat is more in vogue than ever, and Colorado Springs might be the epicenter of the buffalo burger. Community-supported agriculture is another big trend, in which individuals and families buy a share of a local organic farm and receive fresh produce on a regular basis: farm-fresh ingredients are every chef's best starting point to create wholesome and organic meals, which are very much in demand. Additionally, Colorado is one of the top states in the nation for the number of craft breweries per capita. Following culinary school, Colorado students have an opportunity to participate in this burgeoning culinary scene and more.
Colorado Culinary Schools: Students Wanted
Even beyond the pristine slopes of Rocky Mountain ski resorts there are plenty of employment opportunities in the food and beverage business. According to data compiled by the National Restaurant Association, restaurant jobs represent 10 percent of Colorado employment with significant growth of 14.4 percent projected throughout the next decade. This could result in more than 34,000 new jobs by 2022. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs working in Colorado earned a mean annual wage of $47,340 as of May 2011. From the flat eastern plains that border Kansas to the national forests in the southern part of the state, you are never far from a restaurant, as Colorado had more than 10,300 eating and drinking establishments as of 2010.
Many employers do not require degrees from a culinary or pastry school in order to secure employment, but a degree from a culinary institute may help you advance in your career. Colorado is home to myriad high-end restaurants, particularly in fancy resort areas, and having a degree might give you an edge over other applicants. Peruse the list of culinary schools in Colorado below to help you get started.
Additional Resources and Information for Culinary Students
The 2012 Zagat survey on dining trends
Colorado's restaurant sector according to data from the National Restaurant Association
Bureau of Labor Statistics for Colorado chef and head cook employment wages
Browse Colorado Culinary Schools to Get Started!
This list also contains online schools that accept students from Colorado.
Set your career in motion at Virginia College Online.
- Online
- AAS - Culinary and Pastry Arts
With an Art Institutes education, imagine what you could create.
- Denver
You can fire up a new career with help from Auguste Escoffier Schools of Culinary Arts . We offer three programs for careers in the culinary industry, including culinary arts, pastry arts, as well as a chef track.
- Boulder
- Culinary Arts
Earn Your Diploma from Home!
- Online
- Cooking and Catering
Advance your career with our affordable, self-paced, career-focused distance education programs.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
- Caterer
Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education.
- Online
- AAS in Business Administration - Hospitality Management
Your creativity is a big part of who you are and where you’re going. To take it, and your future, as far as you want, you need an education that’s focused on developing your talents and putting you on the path toward the creative career that stirs your imagination. A collaborative education at The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, is all about the work, the students who create it, and the instructors who guide them.
The first step is to explore these areas of study, and think about where you fit in an industry that runs on ideas.
- Online
- Hotel & Restaurant Management (BS)
- Culinary Management (BS)
Get hands-on training with Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America.
- Online
Earn your degree or diploma on your schedule and succeed at Ashworth College.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
Find Culinary Schools in Colorado by City
Other Colorado Culinary Schools
| School Name | City or Town | Programs Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary School of the Rockies | Boulder | Baking and Pastry Arts |
| Pikes Peak Community College | Colorado Springs | Baking and Pastry (AAS) |
| Cook Street School of Fine Cooking | Denver | Culinary Arts |
| Emily Griffith Opportunity School | Denver | Culinary Arts |
| Johnson & Wales University - Denver Campus | Denver | Bachelors Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management |
| Metropolitan State College of Denver | Denver | Hospitality, Tourism & Events Major |
| University of Denver | Denver | Hospitality Services Management |
| Front Range Community College | Fort Collins | Advanced Culinary Arts |
| Colorado State University | Ft Collins | B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management |
| Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs | Culinary Arts |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Culinary Arts |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Culinary Arts |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Culinary Arts |
