Culinary – Baking & Pastry - Hospitality Schools in New York
Nicknamed the "Empire State," New York is an excellent place to live if you're considering a culinary or hospitality career. New York's tourism industry is alive and well leading both Florida and California.
In addition, the culinary scene in New York City is world-famous, and includes local favorites such as New York style pizza, in addition to culinary traditions from around the world. Such trends and traditions make New York an ideal place to live if you attend culinary or hospitality management school.
Read, Read and Read Some More
One of the best suggestions I have for anyone thinking of going to culinary school or just getting into the restaurant industry is to read everything you can get your hands on. Learn from professional chefs who have worked in the industry and those who have taught in culinary schools.There are many great books available to get you started in your culinary education and I suggest you read as much as possible before making that big decision to make sure this is the right move for you. Below is just a sample of books you might be interested in checking out.
For a much more comprehensive list of books for aspiring culinary, baking and restaurant management students, I suggest checking out my post on books for future culinary students and chefs.
MY TOP 5 NEW YORK CULINARY SCHOOL PICKS
The Institute of Culinary Education
The Institute of Culinary Education is considered both the oldest and the largest culinary school in New York City. It was founded in 1975 under the name Peter Kump's New York Cooking School. The Institute of Culinary Education prides itself on teaching taste and improvisation.
New York City Campus - 225 Liberty St, New York, NY 10281
The Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America is one of the world's most recognized culinary education facilities. It has produced many of popular media figures in the field, countless Executive Chefs, and successful restaurant owners. Situated in the gorgeous setting of Hyde Park in New York, it is easy to see why the school continues to draw some of the world's top culinary talents.
New Hyde Park Campus - 1946 Campus Dr – Hyde Park, NY 12538
The Culinary Tech Center
The Culinary Tech Center is dedicated to offering programs that provide students with practical skills to enter the work force through theory and practice. The programs focus on experiential learning in a real-world culinary and service environment, which is the core of practical learning. Experiential learning is enhanced through an externship, enabling students to apply what they have learned in a fast-paced, realistic setting.
New York City Campus - 460 West 34th street, located on 10th avenue between 33rd and 34th streets just 2 blocks from Penn Station
White Plains Campus - 303 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601
Niagara Falls Culinary Institute
The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute is located at and offers culinary degree programs in Associate (AAS) Degree in Culinary Arts and AAS Degree in Baking and Pastry. The school gives students the tools for a successful career, from experienced faculty, in a beautiful, newly renovated facility.
Niagara Falls Campus - 28 Old Falls St, Niagara Falls, NY
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology hospitality and tourism management major provides an in-depth understanding of the hospitality and tourism industry and prepares students to enter nearly any segment of the industry, such as lodging, hotels, restaurants, casino, cruise line operations, resorts and spas, event management, or airline catering.
Rochester Campus - 1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY 14623
REOC - Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
With over forty years of ongoing service to the Rochester community REOC has earned a reputation as one of the outstanding Centers in the state. Teachers, counselors, support staff, and administrators have worked to allow students to gain the skills needed to continue to college or obtain a career.
The focus will be on the industry's basic fundamentals and building knowledge of the fashionable trends in the culinary industry. The program features state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, award-winning culinary instructors, and small class sizes/personal attention.
Rochester Campus - 161 Chestnut Street Rochester, NY 14604
TOP NEW YORK COOKING SCHOOLS FOR THE HOME COOK
De Gustibus Cooking School - Macy's
Our goal is that you are entertained—with friends or on your own—and that you learn and experience what we consider a unique culinary performance at each event. De Gustibus also offers hands-on cooking classes, some on location and some in our cooking school. We can arrange private and corporate events in our Herald Square venue, accommodating up to 60 people.
New York City Location - Macy's Herald Square, 8th Floor - 151 West 34th Street New York, NY 10001
Home Cooking New York
Home Cooking New York (HCNY) was founded in May 2002, shortly after founder Jennifer Clair was downsized from her Food Editor position at Martha Stewart Living. HCNY offers private and public classes in your home at our Grand Street kitchen. Our classes range from basic cooking techniques (Culinary Boot Camp for Everyone, Six Basic Cooking Techniques, Quick & Delicious Dinners, How to Cook Fish) to cuisine-focused favorites (Indian, Thai, Korean, French Bistro, Middle Eastern, Northern Italian).
New York City Campus - 158 Grand Street, Studio #206 (at Lafayette), New York City
Culinary, Baking & Hospitality Career Outlook in New York
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 New York is right for you.
| Occupation | Total Employment in New York (2014) | Average Salary in New York (2014 | Annual Hourly Wage |
| Bakers | 9,100 | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Bartenders | 41,760 | $23,740 | 11.41 |
| Butchers & Meat Cutters | 6,080 | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Chefs & Head Cooks | 11,140 | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | 21,310 | $20,290 | $9.75 |
| Cooks, Short Order | 9,030 | $22,960 | $11.04 |
| Food Service Managers | 6,970 | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Hosts and Hostesses | 18,420 | $22,970 | $11.04 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Culinary & Hospitality Industry in New York Statistics
SalarybyState.org - the average culinary salary for job posting in New York are 17% higher than the average nationwide in March of 2013.
BLS* - In May of 2014, there were 11,140 Chefs & Head Cooks in the state of New York
BLS *- the average salary for these Chefs & Head Cooks was $50,430
BLS* - Average Hourly Wage for Chefs & Head Cooks is $24.24
The Restaurant Industry in New York
The restaurant industry in New York is a huge part of their economy and generate jobs for thousands of New York plus important tax revenues to the state. For every dollar spent in New York restaurants, an additional 88 cents is generated in the state's economy.
According to restaurant.org:
There were 45,209 eating and drinking places in New York in 2014
$35.8 billion in restaurant sales projected 2015
Restaurants will account for 796,00 (9%) jobs in New York in 2015
By 2025 the projections are 851,000 jobs, a 7.0% job growth
Three Star Restaurants in New York
| New York City | Le Bernardin | Eric Ripert | 2005 |
| New York City | Eleven Madison Park | Daniel Humm | 2012 |
| New York City | Masa | Masa Takayama | 2009 |
| New York City | Per Se | Thomas Keller | 2010 |
| New York City | Jean Georges | Mark LaPico | |
| New York City | Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare | César Ramírez | 2014 |
