Filled with Sunshine, beaches, resorts, and hot Miami Beach, Florida is the best choice to do your culinary training. Florida is filled with great culinary schools, and the scope for chefs here is highly in demand. Peninsular Florida is undoubtedly perfect for seafood-based cuisine, and studying here will help you become the most wanted chef across the globe.
But to find which culinary school will suit your future goals can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, I have enlisted the top 10 culinary schools in Florida, which will help you choose the top-rated culinary school that will align with your future goals. Moreover, Students who choose to pursue their culinary education in the sunshine state find no shortage of exposure to inspiring local culinary trends that complement their formal studies. So what are we waiting for? Let us get down to business.
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1. Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College is one of the finest colleges which offers the top-rated culinary arts program. Located in Tampa, they have top-rated industrial experts who will teach you all about the current trends in the culinary arts. This college has wonderful campus life too.
The Internship opportunities provide work experience for students to be successful in the field. All these internships are given by top restaurants that are critically acclaimed in the region. Graduates are prepared to become professional cooks or chefs or manage a restaurant or a dining facility.
Founded In: 1968
Tuition: $16,666 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 3.2
Rank: #1
Contact: +1 813-253-7000
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant- $5000- Educational Fund
- Rosewood Family Scholarship- Varies- Need-based Fund
Apply for Admissions
2. Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts
Located in Sarasota, Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts is a first-class school for your culinary arts program. They have a total of three campuses which include Melbourne and Tallahassee. The students learn through hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art kitchen laboratory.
The school gives a fantastic approach to learning. They focus on the current trends rather than sticking to the book’s old topics. The program includes a 12 credit hour externship, allowing students to gain additional experience. This program will help them develop excellent professional relationships.
Founded In: 1977
Tuition: $45,354 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 85%
GPA: 3.3
Rank: 2#
Contact: +1 954-776-4456
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans– Tuition fee- Educational Fund
- TRIO Student Support Services Scholarships– 5000$- Need-based Fund
Apply for Admissions
3. Gulf Coast State College
Located in Panama City, Gulf Coast State College offers the best culinary arts experience one could ever imagine. The school is famous for its seafood cuisine, which is top-rated in Florida. Gulf Coast State College offers an accredited AAS degree in Culinary Management that can be completed in two years of study.
You will learn about the culinary arts and Banquet and Convention Management, Food Purchasing, and Dining Room Operations. It is a first-class training program that will give you a completely practical approach to learning the subject’s nuances.
Founded In: 1957
Tuition: $16,812 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 75%
GPA: 3.2
Rank: #3
Contact: +1 850-769-1551
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- Hope Scholars Scholarship– Varies- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
4. Florida State College at Jacksonville
The highlight of studying here at Florida State College at Jacksonville is they have high credibility since it is accredited by American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. Florida State College at Jacksonville also offers state-of-the-art culinary facilities for students to practice and perfect their techniques.
One of the highlights of this program is the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at the Mallard Room. It is a fantastic opportunity to work here as you will get a complete hands-on experience in the world’s most renowned dining restaurants.
Founded In: 1966
Tuition: $ 14,589 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 2.0
Rank: #4
Contact: +1 904-633-8100
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- BlueWave Opportunity Grant- Varies- Educational Fund
- Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Part-Time- Varies- Need-based Fund
Apply for Admissions
5. Lincoln Culinary Institute
If you are looking for an institute where you can have a fantastic campus life, Lincoln Culinary Institute is the best choice. Located in West Palm Beach, they are mostly focused on seafood culinary. There are campus cafés where you will gain great practical training.
The AOS degree programs in Culinary Arts and International Baking and Pastry are led by experts in the field including Certified Baster Bakers, Certified Executive Chefs, and Certified Culinary Educators. The credibility of the program is sky-high.
Founded In: 1987
Tuition: $ 27,401 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 2.5
Rank: #5
Contact: 844-666-8221
Financial Aid: Click here for more details.
Apply for Admissions
6. Sheridan Technical College
Sheridan Technical College is considered to be one of the top colleges with fantastic culinary arts programs. The program can be completed in less than one year of full-time study and articulates to a Culinary Arts Management Degree at Broward College.
This top culinary school has received exemplary accreditation status from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. After completing your program, the school also helps the students with their job assistance as well as future career guidance.
Founded In: 1967
Tuition: $28,900 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 2.5
Rank: #6
Contact: +1 754-321-5400
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- Hope Scholars Scholarship– Varies- Educational Fund
- McFatter & Sheridan Scholarship– $5000- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
7. Lake Technical College
Lake Technical College is located in Eustis which has one of the most beautiful atmospheres to study in. Lake Technical College offers a certificate program in Commercial Foods and Culinary Arts. This program gives a completely holistic approach to its hands-on training.
The college offers great internship opportunities at various restaurants across Florida. They also offer abroad programs where you can learn about the different food and different cultures in other nations. The program will cover basic culinary knowledge, nutrition, supervision, and sanitation practices.
Founded In: 1949
Tuition: $26,500 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 2.7
Rank: #7
Contact: +1 352-589-2250
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- Masonry & Chimney LLC Scholarship- $10000- Educational Fund
Apply for Admissions
8. McFatter Technical College
McFatter Technical College is located in Davie and has a great infrastructure to study culinary programs. Students are able to earn National Commercial Foods Certifications in a variety of areas including Sanitation and Nutrition. The curriculum focuses on types instead of sticking to one subject.
McFatter students engage in interactive cooking experiences, learning skills and techniques from experienced faculty who are industry experts. The school often offers guest lectures where the speaker will be someone top-rated in the industry. This college is highly recommended.
Founded In: 1985
Tuition: $36,000 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 2.5
Rank: #8
Contact: +1 754-321-5700
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- Broward Technical Colleges Foundation Scholarship Fund– $500- Educational Fund
- Webstaurant Store Scholarship- $1,500- Need-based Fund
Apply for Admissions
9. Suncoast Technical College
The highlight of this college is The Certificate in Commercial Foods, and Culinary Arts from Suncoast Technical College can be completed in less than one year. usually, these programs extend up to 2 years but luckily they offer the top-rated program with a rigorous curriculum.
The college offers a lot of advantages to the students who pick culinary arts programs. Students can choose to transfer their credits if they plan to study at Johnson and Wales University, State College of Florida, or the University of South Florida.
Founded In: 1967
Tuition: N/A
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 100%
GPA: 2.0
Rank: #9
Contact: +1 941-924-1365
Financial Aid: Click here for more details.
Apply for Admissions

10. Florida Technical College
Located in Kissimmee, Florida Technical College is one of the finest culinary arts colleges in Florida. Seventy-one-quarter credits are required to complete the degree, totaling to-rated. Still, luckily, two up to, 420 hours in the kitchen, 460 lecture hours, and 125 hours spent in an externship.
If you plan accordingly, the program can be completed in a span of a single year. The highlight of studying here is they give extensive subjects that will help a lot in the future. Subjects include Sanitation & Allergens, International Cuisine, and Restaurant Services. This college is highly endorsed.
Founded In: 1982
Tuition: $29,838 (before aid)
SAT Avg. : N/A
ACT Avg. : N/A
Acceptance Rate: 95%
GPA: 2.3
Rank: #10
Contact: (321) 674-8000
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs
- FTC Alumni Scholarship- $5000- Need-based fund
- Imagine America Scholarship- Varies- Need-based Fund
- FAPSC (Florida Association of Postsecondary and Colleges)- $1000- Educational Fund