With the type of education at West Virginia culinary schools, along with the high market demand, you are more likely to be looking for a job after graduation, so setting goals is key to a smooth career transition.
Culinary schools in West Virginia provide a very well-rounded educational experience for students who want to pursue careers in the culinary arts.
Whether you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree in the field or other forms of certification in any culinary discipline, there are community and technical colleges in West Virginia that will give you what you need.
Are There Culinary Schools in West Virginia?
West Virginia has 10 highly rated culinary schools, most of which are located in or near West Virginia cities. You don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money on tuition, as the average tuition is $3,754.
In addition, a variety of scholarship opportunities in West Virginia can make education even more affordable. The average scholarship in West Virginia is $1,479.
There are three main areas you can choose as a culinary student: Culinary Arts/Chef Training, Food Presentation, and Baking/Pastry Arts. Culinary arts and chef training programs offer the same type of education.
These programs tend to be the most thorough, covering all aspects of cooking, kitchen management, and menu creation.
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How Much Do Culinary Schools Cost in West Virginia?
The Culinary Arts Certificate Program at Carver Career Center can be completed at their Charleston campus in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Most of the school’s 223 students are enrolled in 2-year programs.
Tuition is typically around $5,310 for each academic year. Study materials can cost around $2,000, depending on the program chosen.
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What Are The Requirements For Culinary Schools In West Virginia?
West Virginia has many interesting places and a very rich culinary culture. In fact, Culinary Schools in West Virginia provide a very comprehensive educational experience for students who want to pursue careers in the culinary arts.
Most kitchen staff employers want new hires to have at least a high school diploma or GED, but other than that there are no requirements to be a cook or chef. You don’t have to have a special education, degree, certificate or license.
You can start in a professional kitchen with a chef ready to train you and work your way up to a chef or management position, or you can enroll in an after-school program.
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What Are The Best Culinary Schools In West Virginia?
Putnam Career and Technical Center
The Prostart Restaurant Management Certificate Program at Putnam Career and Technical Center is based at their campus in Eleanor in Putnam County.
This public college has a total enrollment of about 108 students, with the majority of students enrolled in programs that last less than 2 years.
The college is accredited by the Council on Vocational Education. Tuition is typically around $5,084 per year. Study materials can cost around $1,104, although this depends on the program.
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers several degree options, including a certificate program and an associate degree program. Classes are held at their campus in Martinsburg, Berkeley County.
Most of the school’s 5,552 students are enrolled in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Learning.
Tuition for in-state students is approximately $3,864 and for out-of-state students is approximately $6,984 for each academic year, while textbooks and supplies can cost approximately $1,364, although this varies from program to program.
James Rumsey Institute of Technology
The culinary arts certificate program at James Rumsey Technical Institute is taught at their campus in Martinsburg, Berkeley County.
The college has a total enrollment of about 128 students, with the majority of students enrolled in programs of less than 2 years duration.
The college is accredited by the Council on Vocational Education. Tuition is around $6,024 for each academic year, while study materials can cost around $2,143, depending on the program.
Mountwest Community and Technical College
Mountwest Community and Technical College’s culinary arts certificate program is based at their Huntington campus in Cabell County. Most of the school’s 1,775 students are enrolled in 2-year programs.
The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Learning.
Tuition for in-state students is typically around $3,888 and for out-of-state students is around $9,672 per year. Books and supplies can cost around $1,357, although this will depend on the program.
Pierpont Community and Technical College – Fairmont –
This two-year college offers a diverse catalog of hospitality degrees. Four different options are offered: Food Service Management, Resort & Hotel Management, Pastry & Pastry Chef, and Culinary Arts.
The Culinary Arts Associate program is accredited by the Culinary Arts Federation of America. The Pastry program has the same designation and is also practiced in modern teaching laboratories on campus.
West Virginia Northern Community College
West Virginia Northern Community College offers several degree options, including an associate’s degree program and a certificate program. All programs are taught at their Wheeling campus.
Most of the school’s 2,013 students are enrolled in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Higher Learning.
Tuition for in-state students is likely to be around $3,684 and for out-of-state students around $10,620 per year, while study materials can cost around $1,135 depending on the program.
How Much Do Chefs In West Virginia Earn?
West Virginia is currently experiencing growth in most areas of the culinary industry. The only job types that aren’t growing are fast food jobs and short order cooks.
Vacancies for cooks and head chefs increased by 3.6 percent; the positions of restaurant chefs who do not hold managerial positions increase by 5.1 percent; and bakers saw the largest growth, with job openings up 5.5 percent.
Salaries for cooks can vary widely in West Virginia. Expect to earn more with experience and certifications.
In 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cooks and chefs earned an average of $51,940 a year, but those with the highest salaries earned an average of $71,360. Food service managers earn an average of $48,680 per year.
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How Do I Become A Chef In West Virginia?
Most kitchen staff employers want new hires to have at least a high school diploma or GED, but other than that there are no requirements to be a cook or chef. You don’t have to have a special education, degree, certificate or license.
You can start in a professional kitchen with a chef ready to train you and work your way up to a chef or management position, or you can enroll in a graduate school program.
A culinary school certificate or diploma is a smart way to get started in this field. Most programs take two years or less and provide you with the foundational knowledge and necessary practical skills. With an education, you can show employers that you will be an asset in their kitchen.
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What Are The Best Paying Culinary Arts Jobs in West Virginia
If you are hoping to live and work in West Virginia, you should see that there are many job opportunities in the culinary fields. With a special education, you will be qualified to work in a restaurant, hotel, cafeteria, hospital or school or in a catering company.
With experience and education, you can even become an entrepreneur and open your own restaurant or restaurant or become a personal chef. Search the most available jobs in the West Virginia communities of Charleston, Huntington and Morgantown.
Graduates are likely to find work to their liking at any of West Virginia’s thousands of restaurants, resorts, schools and hotels. Typical salaries in the food industry in West Virginia vary by job title, city, and experience.
A waiter/waitress will earn an average annual salary of $24,700; a registered dietitian earns $59,170; a first-line supervisor will earn around $30,510; a chef will earn approximately $57,420; and a restaurant chef earns an average salary of about $23,910.
Best Culinary Schools In West Virginia FAQs
West Virginia is one of the many states that have no laws regarding the licensing or certification of chefs. This can save you time because you don’t have to worry about applying for your license after you graduate. However, you can become certified by the American Culinary Federation. You must pass a written exam and a skills test to get certified.
The fact that West Virginia has a huge selection of colleges and universities indicates an equally high demand in the food industry in the region. Students can choose a four-year course at colleges and universities to earn an HRM degree, or they can choose two-year programs and focus on a specific culinary skill.
You do not need a license or certification to work as a cook or chef in West Virginia. However, having one or more certifications in areas such as pastry, culinary skills, and management can help you earn a higher salary and give you more job opportunities. The American Culinary Federation (ACF) is the industry standard for certification. ACF offers 16 types of culinary certifications and requires you to pass a written and practical exam to obtain any certification.
Conclusion
The huge list of culinary schools and colleges West Virginia also indicates the demand for the catering industry. As a student, you can choose from top-rated 4-year colleges and universities, where you’re likely to find degrees in hospitality management, hotel and restaurant management, or community and technical colleges that specialize in imparting concentrated practical skills in a two-year Associate’s program .
Landing a job upon graduation is the end game, so it’s important that students visualize their culinary goals before enrolling in a program. The job you eventually want to take will affect your career, as your dream job may require specialized training.
References
okchef.org – How to Become a Chef in West Virginia
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