Start Your Culinary Education in Alaska
When you think of Alaska, you may envision the vast open lands of one of the last remaining untamed territories in the United States. I think of those great photos of polar bears catching salmon swimming upstream to spawn.
Known as "The Last Frontier," and also the "Land of the Midnight Sun," Alaska is a land of natural beauty and abundant resources. While much of the population is centered around metropolitan areas such as Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks, the state is becomingly an increasingly popular destination for tourists looking for a destination with rustic flair.
In addition to being the home of the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska is also the host of events such as the World Ice Art Championships, and the Sitka Whale Festival. What you may not think about is the number of large cities in Alaska including Anchorage (the largest), Fairbanks and Juneau.
In those cities are a number of opportunities in the culinary and hospitality management industries. According to restaurant.org, restaurants in Alaska account for 9% of jobs in 2015.
Culinary - Baking/Pastry - Hospitality Management Schools in Alaska
Anchorage, AK
University of Alaska Anchorage - Culinary Art Training
Fairbanks, AK
University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus - Culinary Arts & Chef's Training
Juneau, AK
University of Alaska Southeast Campus - Hospitality Management
Seward, AK
Alaska Vocational Technical Center - Professional Cooking, Professional Baking
Culinary, Baking & Hospitality Career Outlook in Alaska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for jobs in the restaurant, food service and hospitality industries is good with projected growth rates. The table below demonstrates some important information you may want to consider when deciding if going to culinary school and then working in Alaska is right for you.
| Occupation | Total Employment in Alaska (2014) | Average Salary in Alaska (2014 | Annual Hourly Wage |
| Bakers | 320 | $32,550 | $15.65 |
| Bartenders | 1,680 | $27,170 | 13.06 |
| Butchers & Meat Cutters | 270 | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Chefs & Head Cooks | 350 | $45,870 | $22.06 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 890 | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| Cooks, Short Order | 210 | $29,320 | $14.10 |
| Food Service Managers | 310 | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| Hosts and Hostesses | 860 | $21,320 | $10.25 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Culinary & Hospitality Industry in Alaska Statistics
- SalarybyState.org - the average culinary salary for job posting in Alaska are 15% lower than the average nationwide in March of 2013.
- BLS* - In May of 2014, there were 350 Chefs & Head Cooks in the state of Alaska
- BLS *- the average salary for these Chefs & Head Cooks was $45,870
- BLS* - Average Hourly Wage for Chefs & Head Cooks is $19.71
The Restaurant Industry in Alaska
The restaurant industry in Alaska is a huge part of their economy and generate jobs for thousands of Alaskans plus important tax revenues to the state. For every dollar spent in Alaska's restaurants, an additional 61 cents is generated in the state's economy.
According to restaurant.org:
- There were 1,343 eating and drinking places in Alaska in 2014
- $1.4 billion in restaurant sales projected 2015
- Restaurants will account for 29,000 (9%) jobs in Alaska in 2015
- By 2025 the projections are 33,00 jobs, a 16.1% job growth
Sources
- National Restaurant Association - http://www.restaurant.org
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes351011.htm
- SalarybyState.org
- Restaurant.org
