How to Become a Chef in Kansas

A career path in culinary arts offers an active, employable lifestyle to those who like working with their hands and are passionate about food. On the higher end of the career spectrum, food service managers and master chefs earn strong wages. Entry-level and restaurant cooks don’t earn as much but offer steady rates of employment. Cooks can gain experience by working in restaurants while training in a culinary arts program to earn certifications, which will help them advance in their careers. With hard work and talent in the kitchen, becoming a personal chef or food service manager is a promising career goal. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming a Chef in Kansas

Kansas does not require any specific certifications for individuals to work in the culinary arts field. However, it is valuable for those who handle food to obtain their ServSafe certification in order to qualify for many jobs. The Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association (KRHA) offers ServSafe training to food-handlers in Kansas.

Culinary Arts Training and Educational Programs in Kansas

Training in culinary arts programs offers cooks experience and knowledge required to achieve certifications and higher-paying jobs. Popular culinary arts schools in Kansas include:

  • Johnson County Community College. Located in Overland Park, the third-highest populated city in Kansas, this school offers programs taught by American Culinary Federation (ACF) member chefs. JCCC offers an Associate Degree in Chef Apprenticeship and hospitality management classes.
  • L’ecole Culinaire. This culinary school in Kansas City is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the U.S. Department of Education. Students can receive a two-year Culinary Arts Associate Degree or a Culinary Arts Diploma in less than 10 months.

Certification for Becoming a Chef in Kansas

Besides obtaining education credentials such as an associate’s degree, certificate or diploma in culinary arts, chefs and cooks can become certified by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) to gain valuable career leverage. The ACF offers nine “savory certification levels, which are based on work and education experience in the culinary arts field. Additionally, the ACF offers personal or private chef training and Certified Culinary Administrator certification (CCA).

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Chefs and Culinary Artists in Kansas

Chefs and head cooks in Kansas earned a mean income of $17.53 per hour in 2017, while food service managers were paid nearly double that amount, at a mean income of $30.03 per hour. Restaurant cooks are the highest employed culinary artists in Kansas, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 17.3 percent increase in the state’s restaurant cook employment rate by 2026. That’s almost double the national employment average of 9 percent for restaurant cooks.

Working as a Chef in Kansas

Wichita is the best city for chefs and head cooks to find jobs, but these professionals are paid the highest wages in Topeka, reports the BLS. Wichita and the Northeast Kansas Metropolitan Area employed the most restaurant cooks in 2017, while paying a mean income of around $10 to $12 per hour. For Kansas residents interested in the culinary arts, it would be a good choice to become a chef, head cook or food service manager, as these positions are paid the highest in the state of those in the culinary arts field.

Popular Colleges

College Programs

Kansas City, MO-KS Area

Johnson County Community College

12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas 66210-1299
(913) 469-8500
Pastry/Baking – Certificate Program, Food & Beverage Management – Associate Program

Johnson County Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Overland Park. The majority of of the school’s 19,091 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-district students are likely to be around $2,790 and are $3,300 and $6,600 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Study materials can cost about $1,560, depending on the program chosen.

Kansas City Kansas Community College

7250 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas 66112
(913) 334-1100
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Certificate program in Culinary Arts is taught at their campus in the city of Kansas City, KS. Most of the school’s 5,625 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $3,240 and for out-of-state students around $8,040 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,346, depending on the program.

Kansas nonmetropolitan area Area

North Central Kansas Technical College

3033 US Highway 24, Beloit, Kansas 67420
(785) 738-2276
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

North Central Kansas Technical College’s Certificate program is offered at their campus in Beloit in Mitchell County, KS. The college has about 900 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Fees for tuition are about $5,696 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,490, depending on the program chosen.

Topeka, KS Area

Washburn Institute of Technology

5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, Kansas 66604-2117
(785) 273-7140
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Washburn Institute of Technology’s Certificate program in Culinary Arts is offered at their campus in the city of Topeka. The majority of of the school’s 1,330 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Tuition fees are around $6,192 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

Washburn University

1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66621-0001
(785) 670-1010
Culinary Arts – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program in Culinary Arts at Washburn University is based at their campus in the city of Topeka, Kansas. Of the 6,615 students, about 12% are postgraduates. The university is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly around $7,754 and for out-of-state students around $17,386 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

Wichita, KS Area

Butler Community College

901 S Haverhill Rd, El Dorado, Kansas 67042-3280
(316) 321-2222
Hospitality Management – Certificate Program, Culinary Arts – Associate Program

Butler Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of El Dorado. Most of the school’s 8,950 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-district students are generally around $2,750 and are $3,080 and $4,880 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. Study materials can cost about $1,200, depending on the program chosen.

* Tuition fees and accredition status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college before applying.

Neighbor States

Residents of Kansas may also wish to review their options in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado.