Go to School to Become a Chef Amid Atlanta’s Hot Food Scene

Find Culinary Programs

Atlanta, with its legendary reputation for southern cooking, is host to several cooking schools that offer college degrees in the culinary arts. The city has grown considerably since its nostalgic days as a Southern hospitality icon and is competitive in providing training in the preparation of world class international cuisine and the management of food service businesses.

Over the last two decades Atlanta has grown by leaps and bounds and now ranks among the top metro areas in the country. Rich in southern history—think “Gone with the Wind”—and with an increasingly recognizable city skyline, Hotlanta features some of the Southland’s best restaurants and master chefs. The demand for pro chefs and food industry professionals is also driven by the growth in tourism and the convention business.

If your passion for food spills outside a simple zeal for fresh food, check out the culinary arts programs available from career schools right in downtown Atlanta. Find out how to train to become a chef, pastry baker or restaurant manager.

Atlanta Food Scene for Budding Chefs

The fabric of food is rich in the south, and thanks to Atlanta’s top restaurants and chefs you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most innovative contemporary and classic American dishes served up in a diverse and exciting cityscape. Atlanta metro areas and neighborhoods such as Buckhead, Decatur, Midtown and Downtown all feature award-winning restaurants with top chefs and chef-owners.

Popular Atlanta cuisines include Pan-Asian, contemporary American, seafood/steakhouse, Italian, Cuban/Latin, burger and fries, and range in price from cheap to very expensive.

Local Community Schools

Culinary Arts School at the Art Institute of Atlanta

The Culinary Arts School provides immersive teaching techniques that expose students close to real-world experiences. Learn from the most experienced faculty together with other creative students who are passionate about the art of cooking and food service.

Study international cuisine and fundamental culinary techniques that will hone you into becoming a master in the field. From Middle Eastern to Mexican cuisine, you'll learn traditional dishes as well as contemporary and emerging flavors from countries around the world.

The school offers the following degrees:

• Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts Management
  

Culinary subjects offered:

• Art Culinaire
• Asian Cuisine
• Latin Cuisine
• American Regional Cuisine
• Baking and Pastry Techniques
• Classical Techniques
• Management by Menu
• Sanitation & Safety
• Foodservice Technology
• Food & Beverage Operations Management
  

Culinary Arts School at The Art Institute of Atlanta
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30328
800-275-4242

Atlanta Technical College

Learn culinary theory with hands-on practical knowledge at Southern Crescent Technical College. Professional instructors will help you develop culinary expertise and occupational skills to stay ahead in the industry.

The Culinary Arts degree program provides a wide range of employment opportunities for chefs, cooks, bakers, caterers, as well as cake decorators. You’ll be prepared to work for restaurants and hotels, including institutional hospitality systems such as schools, retirement homes and hospitals.

Atlanta Technical College
1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW
Atlanta, GA
404-225-4400
admissions@atlantatech.edu

Southern Crescent Technical College

Learn culinary theory with hands-on practical knowledge at Southern Crescent Technical College. Professional instructors will help you develop culinary expertise and professional occupational skills to stay ahead in the industry.

The Culinary Arts degree program provides a wide range of employment opportunities for chefs, cooks, bakers, caterer, as well as cake decorators. You’ll be prepared to work for restaurants and hotels, including institutional hospitality systems such as schools, retirement homes and hospitals.

Southern Crescent Technical College
501 Varsity Rd,
Griffin, GA 30223
770-228-7348

Gwinnett Technical College

Receive comprehensive education that prepares you well for the restaurant industry. Whether your goal is to become a chef, a pastry maker, caterer or kitchen manager, Gwinnett Technical College’s culinary arts program offers focused classes to help you excel in the real world.

The coursework includes:

• Fundamentals of culinary arts
• Baking principles
• Culinary practicum
• Fundamentals of restaurant operations
• Culinary safety and sanitation

Students are also trained to take the National Restaurant Association SERVSAFE Certification as part of the course. The Culinary Arts program is certified by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).

Gwinnett Technical College
5150 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
678-226-6616
admissions@GwinnettTech.edu

Non-accredited Cooking Schools in Atlanta

The Atlanta metro area is home to several other cooking schools that, while they do not offer college degrees, do offer a high standard of training to fill a specialty niche.

The International Sugar Art Collection School of Sugar Art

Founded by Nicholas Lodge, the International Sugar Art Collection (ISAC) School of Sugar Art provides classes for all levels of pastry art and professional cake decorating.

They offer special attention to all students, accommodating only 20 students per class. It includes extensive handouts written by Chef Lodge himself, with students receiving a PME Certification after the course.

International Sugar Art Collection School of Sugar Art
6060 Dawson Blvd., Suite F
Norcross, GA 30093
770-453-9449
customersvc@nicholaslodge.com

Young Chefs Academy

Young Chefs Academy (YCA) offers fun culinary classes, mini camps and birthday parties catered to children ages 4 to 14 years old. They teach kids and teens the basics of cooking, kitchen safety, menu planning, and more.

School addresses:

Young Chefs Academy of Atlanta
Howell Mill Village
857 Collier Rd NW#18
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 633-2633

Young Chefs Academy of Sandy Springs
220 Hammond Drive - Suite 368
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404) 255-9263