Culinary training in Dallas blends classic technique with Texas flavor, emphasizing real-world experience and industry connections.
The Dallas metro area offers several respected programs that balance hands-on kitchens, affordable tuition, and pathways into restaurants, hotels, and catering careers.
Comparison Table of Culinary Schools in Dallas
| School | Location | Programs Offered | Tuition (Approx.) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro College Culinary Arts Institute (Dallas College) | Dallas | A.A.S. in Culinary Arts, Certificates in Baking & Pastry | $4,000–$6,000 per year (in-district) | Downtown location, student-run restaurants, strong employer network |
| Collin College | Plano | A.A.S. in Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry | $4,200–$5,500 per year | Modern teaching kitchens, transfer agreements with four-year schools |
| Tarrant County College | Fort Worth | Culinary Arts A.A.S., Hospitality Management courses | $4,000–$6,000 per year | Regional industry ties, hands-on labs, catering opportunities |
| Southern Careers Institute | Dallas | Diploma in Culinary Arts, Certificate programs | $10,000–$18,000 total program cost | Short-term training, career services, flexible start dates |
| University of North Texas — Hospitality Management | Denton (DFW area) | B.S. in Hospitality Management with Foodservice focus | $10,000–$13,000 per year (in-state) | Four-year degree, management and food science integration |
The Fastest Growing
Restaurant & Hospitality Job Platform
Looking for top paid jobs? Or Hiring for your business?
1. El Centro College Culinary Arts Institute (Dallas College)
El Centro College’s Culinary Arts Institute is a cornerstone of Dallas culinary education, offering both associate degrees and certificates geared to industry needs.
The program emphasizes technique, safety, and service in professional-grade kitchens located in the heart of downtown Dallas.
Students practice in student-run restaurants and bakeries that serve the public, gaining experience in roles from Prep Cook to Line Cook and Kitchen Supervisor.
Curriculum covers culinary fundamentals, baking, international cuisine, menu development, and food safety, with many classes taught by instructors with restaurant and hotel experience.
The school maintains partnerships with area hotels, catering companies, and restaurants to place students in externships and part-time roles that often lead to full-time employment.
Tuition is among the most affordable for a thorough hands-on program, making El Centro a popular choice for students who want strong practical training without high debt.
Graduates leave ready for positions in restaurants, corporate kitchens, and catering operations, or to continue studies in culinary management.
The Fastest Growing
Restaurant & Hospitality Job Platform
Looking for top paid jobs? Or Hiring for your business?
2. Collin College
Collin College in the northern suburbs offers well-equipped culinary and baking programs that serve students from the Plano and Frisco corridor.
The college focuses on applied learning, with modern labs and courses that mirror real kitchen workflows.
Students learn culinary fundamentals, pastry basics, menu planning, purchasing, and food safety, while also getting opportunities for special event catering and community dining events.
Collin’s programs are designed to be transfer-friendly, with articulation agreements that allow motivated students to move on to four-year hospitality or food science degrees.
Local internships and employer connections across the fast-growing Dallas North market help students gain real experience and build professional networks before graduation.
With competitive community college tuition, Collin delivers good value for students looking to enter the industry or advance into supervisory roles.
3. Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College serves the Fort Worth side of the metro area and offers a solid Culinary Arts A.A.S. program focused on hands-on kitchen training.
The program prepares students for roles in restaurants, hotels, and institutional food service by combining practical cooking labs with courses in nutrition, sanitation, and management.
Students benefit from partnerships with Fort Worth hotels, country clubs, and catering firms for externships and part-time employment opportunities.
Training includes bakery basics, garde manger, hot line stations, and banquet service so graduates have broad, hireable skills for entry level and supervisory positions.
Tuition remains affordable for in-district students, and the college emphasizes career placement and continuing education options for advancement.
For students in the western part of the metro area, Tarrant County College is a practical route into the hospitality workforce.
4. Southern Careers Institute — Dallas
Southern Careers Institute is a private vocational school offering accelerated culinary programs designed to get students into the workforce quickly.
Programs focus on core culinary techniques, safety, and customer service, often in condensed timelines compared to traditional community colleges.
The school provides career services, resume help, and job placement assistance, which can be helpful for students seeking a fast start as a Line Cook, Prep Cook, or Kitchen Assistant.
Because it is a private institution with short program lengths, total costs are higher than community colleges but lower than many private culinary institutes.
SCI appeals to career changers and students who need a focused, time efficient path into foodservice.
Graduates commonly find work in restaurants, catering, and institutional kitchens across Dallas and Fort Worth.
5. University of North Texas — Hospitality Management
The University of North Texas offers a four-year Hospitality Management degree that pairs business and management skills with foodservice education.
While not a traditional culinary arts school, UNT gives students a strong foundation in operations, event management, food safety, and menu planning.
This program is a good fit for students who want to combine culinary knowledge with leadership roles such as Restaurant Manager, Foodservice Director, or Event Planner.
Students take courses in hospitality finance, marketing, service management, and food production, and often participate in internships with regional hospitality employers.
The broader business focus prepares graduates to move into supervisory and administrative tracks faster than a pure culinary diploma might.
For those aiming to lead kitchens or manage multiunit operations, UNT provides a strategic four-year pathway into mid and upper level hospitality careers.
Loading comments...