How to Become a Chef in Oklahoma

Chefs will typically need to work as cooks before moving through the ranks of the culinary industry. This is because working as a chef requires a great deal of expertise about compatible ingredients, traditional cooking methods and an overall understanding of how things work in the kitchen. As this is a very hands-on type of work environment, developing your skills will require some degree of trial and error. Cooks will work with executive chefs as they learn the tricks of the trade and become advanced culinary artists. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming a Chef in Oklahoma

There are no national or statewide requirements for seeking work as a cook or chef. You may be able to land employment with simply a high school diploma or GED, along with some level of professional experience within the trade. Working as a chef may also require national certification, depending on the employer.

In some cities, obtaining a food handler’s license may be required in order to work as a cook or chef. This comes in the form of a permit or card that can be obtained online for less than $30.

Oklahoma Schools for Chefs

If you want to work as a chef, it is important that you understand basic cooking techniques and proper kitchen etiquette, among many other concepts. A post-secondary education program is the perfect place to establish this level of expertise.

  • Platt College has four locations across the state of Oklahoma. The school offers a diploma program in culinary arts, which can be completed in about one year. Topics of study will include international cuisine, bakeware, menu planning and much more.
  • Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is located in the city of Okmulgee and allows students to complete an Associate in Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts. Topics of study include meat fabrication, culinary theory, breakfast cookery and many more.
  • Francis Tuttle Technology Center is located in Oklahoma City. The school offers certificate programs that can be completed within less than two years. High school juniors, seniors and adults are eligible to attend.

National Certification for Chefs in Oklahoma

Those who wish to earn national certification can do so through the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Certification may be required for some positions in the culinary industry, while in other cases it may lead to an increase in compensation. Either way, earning certification is a great way to assert yourself as a trained professional who is dedicated to the craft. This organization offers a total of 16 professional certifications, nine of which are specifically for culinary artists.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

In 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released data that stated there were 1,140 people employed as chefs in Oklahoma. By 2026, the Projections Managing Partnership expects this number will jump to 1,310, indicating a 14.6 percent increase in the job market during this 10-year period.

On average, chefs in Oklahoma earned $19.76 per hour, or $41,090 per year in 2017, according to the BLS. The top 10 percent of chefs in this state earned an average of $65,390 during the same year.

Working as a Chef in Oklahoma

Chefs can find employment in an array of establishments or may even choose to work for themselves as freelancers or restaurant business owners. Entertainment venues, banquet centers, local restaurants and casinos are some of the common places where you will find chefs and cooks. You can even display your talents with photos and reviews online, leveraging this promotion to become a personal chef to celebrities and public figures.

Some of the highest paid chefs in Oklahoma can be found working in cities like Kingston, Mead and Durant, among others.

Popular Colleges

College Programs

 

Fort Smith, AR-OK Area

Kiamichi Technology Center-Poteau

1509 S McKenna, Poteau, Oklahoma 74953
(918) 647-4525
Prep Cooks – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Prep Cooks at Kiamichi Technology Center is based at their Poteau campus in the town of Poteau, Oklahoma. The college has approximately 302 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is 89%. Tuition fees are usually around $1,313 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $400, depending on the program chosen.

Lawton, OK Area

Great Plains Technology Center

4500 W Lee Blvd, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505-8399
(580) 355-6371
Culinary Hospitality Assistant – Certificate Program

The Culinary Hospitality Assistant Certificate program in Culinary Hospitality Assistant at Great Plains Technology Center can be taken at their campus in the city of Lawton, Oklahoma. The majority of of the school’s 195 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are usually around $3,317 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $948, depending on the program chosen.

Northeastern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area Area

Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee

2403 N 41st St E, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74403-1889
(918) 687-6383 x7900
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Culinary Arts at Indian Capital Technology Center is taught at their Muskogee campus in Muskogee in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. The majority of of the school’s 836 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are likely to be around $3,555 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $2,075, although this will vary with the program.

Northeast Technology Center-Afton

19901 S Hwy 69, Afton, Oklahoma 74331
(918) 257-8324
Culinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Northeast Technology Center offers various Certificate program options for chefs. Classes are taken at their Afton campus in Afton in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. The majority of of the school’s 359 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. The cost of tuition is usually in the order of $2,150 yearly. Study materials can cost about $525, depending on the program chosen.

Northeast Technology Center-Pryor

6195 W Hwy 20, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361
(918) 825-7040
Food Service Management Assistant – Certificate Program

Northeast Technology Center’s Certificate-level Food Service Management Assistant program is taught at their Pryor campus in Pryor in Mayes County. This public college has about 522 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Fees for tuition are about $2,150 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $525, depending on the program chosen.

Northwestern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area Area

Autry Technology Center

1201 W Willow, Enid, Oklahoma 73703-2506
(580) 242-2750
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Autry Technology Center offers various Certificate program options for chefs. All programs are offered at their campus in the town of Enid. This public college has in the order of 528 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are around $3,857 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $2,515, although this will vary with the program.

Meridian Technology Center

1312 S Sangre Rd, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074-1899
(405) 377-3333
Culinary Arts Assistant, Hot Food Production – Certificate Program

Meridian Technology Center’s Certificate program in Culinary Arts Assistant, Hot Food Production is based at their campus in the town of Stillwater. Most of the school’s 812 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Fees for tuition are generally about $4,320 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $812, although this will depend on the program.

Northwest Technology Center-Fairview

801 S Vo Tech Dr, Fairview, Oklahoma 73737
(580) 227-3708
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Northwest Technology Center’s Certificate-level Culinary Arts program is taught at their Fairview campus in Fairview in Major County, Oklahoma. The college has about 103 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. The cost of tuition is in the order of $1,920 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $480, although this will vary with the program.

Pioneer Technology Center

2101 N Ash, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601
(580) 762-8336
Culinary Assistant – Certificate Program

Pioneer Technology Center’s Certificate program in Culinary Assistant is taught at their campus in the town of Ponca City. Most of the school’s 423 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are generally around $3,000 per year. Books and supplies can cost in the order of $753, although this will depend on the program.

Oklahoma City, OK Area

Francis Tuttle Technology Center

12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142-2789
(405) 717-7799
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Francis Tuttle Technology Center offers various Certificate program options for chefs. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Oklahoma City, OK. The college has about 2,277 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Fees for tuition are likely to be about $3,157 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $497, although this will vary with the program.

Metro Technology Centers

1900 Springlake Drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111-5240
(405) 424-8324
Culinarian – Certificate Program

Metro Technology Centers offers various Certificate program options for chefs. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Oklahoma City, OK. This public college has about 1,115 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are generally around $6,679 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $2,065, although this will depend on the program.

Mid-America Technology Center

27438 State Hwy 59, Wayne, Oklahoma 73095-0210
(405) 449-3391
Service Careers Hospitality Service Asst. – Certificate Program

Mid-America Technology Center’s Certificate program in Service Careers Hospitality Service Asst. is based at their campus in Wayne in Mcclain County, Oklahoma. Most of the school’s 883 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are generally around $1,035 yearly. Books and supplies can cost about $150, although this will depend on the program.

Platt College-Moore

201 N. Eastern, Moore, Oklahoma 73160
(405) 912-3260
Pastry Arts – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Pastry Arts at Platt College is taught at their Moore campus in Moore in Cleveland County. The majority of of the school’s 143 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The cost of tuition is broadly in the order of $28,200 for each academic year.

Platt College-North OKC

2727 W. Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134
(405) 749-2433
Culinary Arts – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program in Culinary Arts at Platt College is based at their North OKC campus in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The college has round 195 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The Culinary Arts program, with a duration of 1860 contact hours, is the college’s largest program. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees are usually around $31,720 annually.

Southeastern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area Area

Kiamichi Technology Center-Durant

810 Waldron Rd, Durant, Oklahoma 74701-1904
(580) 924-7081
Culinary Arts Assistant – Certificate Program

Kiamichi Technology Center’s Certificate program in Culinary Arts Assistant is offered at their Durant campus in Durant in Bryan County, OK. The majority of of the school’s 82 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are around $4,790 per year.

Southwestern Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area Area

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center

1415 N. 7th Street, Fort Cobb, Oklahoma 73038-0190
(405) 643-5511
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center’s Certificate program is based at their campus in Fort Cobb in Caddo County, OK. Most of the school’s 331 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are usually around $3,750 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $750, depending on the program chosen.

Western Technology Center

621 Sooner Drive, Burns Flat, Oklahoma 73624-1469
(580) 562-3181 x279
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Western Technology Center offers various Certificate program options for chefs. All programs are based at their campus in Burns Flat in Washita County. Most of the school’s 545 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. Tuition fees are around $5,395 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,653, depending on the program chosen.

Tulsa, OK Area

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

1801 E 4th St, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447-3901
(918) 293-4678
Culinary Arts – Associate Program

The Associate’s program in Culinary Arts at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology can be taken at their campus in the town of Okmulgee, OK. Most of the school’s 2,617 students are on 4-year programs. The university 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 about $5,100 and for students from other states around $10,710 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,650, although this will depend on the program.

Platt College-Tulsa

3801 S Sheridan, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145
(918) 663-9000
Pastry Arts – Certificate Program, Culinary Arts – Associate Program

Platt College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Tulsa campus in the city of Tulsa. The majority of of the school’s 200 students are on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The cost of tuition is likely to be in the order of $28,200 per year.

* 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 Oklahoma may also wish to review their options in Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri.