Train in a Top-Ranked Culinary Arts Program

Westmoreland offers a degree, diploma, and certificate in Culinary Arts. As one of the region’s best culinary programs, we have fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchens, knowledgeable professors and a direct line to connections within the industry.

What Will I Learn?

This curriculum is planned to meet the increasing employment needs of the 21st century for trained chefs and culinary experts. The program includes classroom and food laboratory experiences and requires students to complete an internship. This option accommodates both part- and full-time students and is available in two-year and 16-month programs.

Culinary Arts graduates are eligible to test for certification with the American Culinary Federation as a Certified Sous Chef, which may lead toward the coveted certification as Master Chef.

Westmoreland’s Culinary Arts program is nationally accredited and is designated as an Exemplary Program by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission. This accreditation and designation assures the highest quality culinary education. 

• View Culinary Arts, AAS in the College Catalog
• View Culinary Arts, Diploma in the College Catalog
• View Culinary Arts, Certificate in the College Catalog

What Will I Earn? 

If you plan to stay in the region, there are many occupations related to this program degree and certificates. In the 10-county region* surrounding Westmoreland County Community College, the earnings for occupations in this field range from:

• $16.13 - $37.88 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $25.45 for chefs and head cooks
• $12.03 - $25.55 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $18.34 for supervisors of food preparation and serving workers
• $7.25 - $19.24 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $11.82 for private cooks
• $10.36 - $17.62 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $13.83 for restaurant cooks
• $11.40 - $21.12 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $16.26 for other cook careers

It is important to remember that wages vary based on level of education, experience, job location and other factors. 

Source: Data provided by Lightcast™ (https://lightcast.io/) 2023.1

* 10-county region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can expect to function as cooks, sous chefs, personal chefs, executive chefs, sales representatives, culinary managers and culinary educators in restaurants, noncommercial facilities, schools/colleges and business operations.