How to Become a Chef in Nevada

A chef will typically start off as a cook in the food industry. They will work under the supervision of executive chefs in their days as an apprentice, learning how to perfect the craft with skill and precision. Later, when they have developed all the tools necessary to take on higher levels of responsibility in the kitchen, they become chefs who craft new, innovative dishes, prepare traditional meals with expertise and train new cooks to master their culinary abilities. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming a Chef in Nevada

While there are no state regulations for this industry, earning a high school diploma or GED is often a minimum requirement to work as a cook. Depending on where you want to work, you may also need some experience or national certification to exemplify your knowledge of the craft.

To become a chef, you will likely need a combination of education and experience, since carrying this title will require you to be advanced within the trade. While none of these are requirements enforced by state law, they are common employer preferences when hiring cooks in any establishment.

In some cities, working as a chef or cook may require you to have a food handler’s license, which is a card or permit that can be obtained online for less than $30. This requirement will vary depending on where you work.

Nevada Schools for Chefs

Earning a certificate or degree in the culinary arts is an excellent way to refine your skills and set yourself apart from the competition. Consider the training programs below:

  • The Art Institute of Las Vegas is located in the city of Henderson. The school offers a diploma program as well as an Associate of Science in Culinary Arts. The diploma program can be completed in about 15 months, while the degree program will require two years of study.
  • Truckee Meadows Community College is located in the city of Reno and offers a culinary arts certificate program, which can be completed in less than one year. Graduates of this program will be eligible to earn national certification with the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
  • University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Arts Management. The school also has a café that is run by students, so enrolling in this program will allow students to gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

National Certification for Chefs in Nevada

Culinary artists can earn national certification through the American Culinary Federation (ACF). This organization offers nine levels of certification for culinary artists in particular, which can be earned depending on your level of education, work experience or a combination of both. There is a total of 16 certifications offered by the ACF, which include those for pastry chefs, students, educators and military chefs.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, there will be an 18.8 percent expansion in the job market for chefs in Nevada during the 10-year period between 2016 and 2026. Their data show that, in 2016, there were 3,660 chefs working in this state. This number is expected to increase to 4,350 by 2026.

BLS data also indicate that chefs in Nevada earned an average of $26.67 per hour, or $55,470 per year, in 2017. The top 10 percent of chefs working in this state earned $81,390 during the same year.

Working as a Chef in Nevada

If you want to work as a chef in Nevada, you will likely earn the highest compensation in cities like Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and The Lakes.

Chefs can typically be found working at restaurants, hotels, banquet centers and other entertainment venues. You may need to get started as a cook before being promoted to chef status, so listening attentively and paying great attention to detail will help move you through the ranks quickly

Popular Colleges

College Programs

Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Area

College of Southern Nevada

6375 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89146-1164
(702) 651-5000
Culinary Arts – Associate Program, Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

College of Southern Nevada offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. The majority of of the school’s 33,313 students are on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually about $2,910 and for students from other states in the order of $9,555 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $1,040, although this will vary with the program.

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Las Vegas

1451 Center Crossing Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89144
(702) 365-7690
Pâtisserie And Baking – Certificate Program, Pâtisserie And Baking – Associate Program

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Las Vegas campus in the city of Las Vegas, NV. The college has about 541 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Fees for tuition are about $12,786 for each academic year.

The Art Institute of Las Vegas

2350 Corporate Circle, Henderson, Nevada 89074-7737
(702) 369-9944
Baking & Pastry – Associate Program, Baking & Pastry – Certificate Program

The Art Institute of Las Vegas offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are based at their campus in the city of Henderson, NV. The majority of of the school’s 846 students are on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Fees for tuition are about $17,413 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $1,500, although this will vary with the program.

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

4505 S Maryland Pky, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154
(702) 895-3011
Culinary Arts Management – Bachelor Program

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas’s Bachelor-level Culinary Arts Management program is taught at their Las Vegas campus in the city of Las Vegas, NV. Of the 28,600 students, about 17% are postgraduates. The University of Nevada-Las Vegas has institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for in-state students is about $7,183 and for students from other states in the order of $21,093 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,298, depending on the program chosen.

Reno-Sparks, NV Area

Truckee Meadows Community College

7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno, Nevada 89512-3999
(775) 673-7000
Culinary Arts, Baking, and Pastry – Certificate Program, Culinary Arts Entrepreneurs – Associate Program

Truckee Meadows Community College offers various Certificate program options for chefs, a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in the city of Reno. The majority of of the school’s 11,085 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $2,910 and for students from other states around $9,555 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,200, depending on the program.

* 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

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