Online Culinary School Available in Las Vegas

Establishing a culinary career in Las Vegas typically involves combining formal training with practical experience. Here are some steps that can help you get started:

Culinary Education: The online culinary arts program at Escoffier provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes core culinary techniques, kitchen management, and a hands-on externship that allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting.

Gain Local Experience: Las Vegas is home to thousands of restaurants, from high-end dining destinations to outrageously unique concepts that push the boundaries of food and entertainment. Completing an externship or taking on an entry-level role in one of these kitchens can offer hands-on experience and insight into the city’s fast-paced, high-volume culinary environment.

Start with Entry-Level Roles: Positions such as line cook, prep cook, or kitchen assistant can help you build foundational skills, gain mentorship, and understand the day-to-day flow of a professional kitchen.

Network in Las Vegas: Leverage opportunities to meet chefs and industry leaders through culinary festivals, trade events, and professional associations. Las Vegas hosts countless food events each year, which can serve as ideal networking environments for up-and-coming culinary professionals.

A combination of online education, real-world practice, and local connections can help you chart your path toward becoming a chef in Las Vegas. For more guidance, explore our Essential Guide to Becoming a Chef.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median salary for chefs and head cooks in Las Vegas is approximately $58,590 per year as of May 2024.

Salaries can vary significantly based on experience and position. Entry-level chefs could earn around $35,200, while top chefs might bring in $92,160 or more annually.

Yes, while Escoffier does not have a physical campus in Las Vegas, residents can access online culinary programs through our nationally-accredited Boulder, Colorado campus.

Escoffier is a U.S.-accredited institution offering 100% online diploma and degree programs in the nation that combine culinary classes and hands-on industry externships.*

The Boulder campus is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), a U.S. Department of Education–recognized agency. Escoffier’s Boulder campus is also approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and participates in NC-SARA, allowing it to offer online education in Las Vegas and beyond.

*Our Boulder, CO campus is the only accredited institution in the United States to offer both fully online diploma and degree programs nationwide with culinary classes and hands-on industry externships. We are accredited by ACCET – A Partnership for Quality®. ACCET is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

Enrolling in Escoffier’s online culinary programs from Las Vegas is straightforward and can be completed in about 10 minutes through our user-friendly online application platform.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

• Your location and demographic information
• An emergency contact
• The program you’re interested in
• Proof of high school graduation (or equivalent)

Once submitted, you’ll receive your enrollment agreement via DocuSign. From there, an Admissions team member will reach out to walk you through next steps. Applicants are encouraged to contact our Student Finance Department to explore financial aid (available to those who apply and qualify).

For a full overview, check out our guide, “How to Get into Culinary School,” or contact our Admissions Department for assistance.

Yes, to enroll in online culinary school at Escoffier while living in Las Vegas, you will need to provide proof of high school completion or an equivalent qualification prior to your intended start date.

Las Vegas students can meet this requirement through one of the following:

• A high school diploma or transcript
• A passing score on a high school equivalency exam such as the GED, HSED, HiSET, or TASC
• Documentation showing you passed a state-authorized exam recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma
• An official college transcript from an accredited institution showing completion of an Associate degree or higher
• Completion of 60 college semester credits or 90 college quarter credits from an accredited institution
• A state-recognized homeschool certificate of completion
• Homeschool records required by Nevada or your prior state of residence, such as transcripts and proof of graduation
• A DD-214 form for U.S. veterans, indicating high school equivalency

Not sure if your documentation qualifies? Our Admissions Team is happy to help you determine eligibility.

Specific costs vary depending on the type of program you choose. You can view detailed costs for all programs available to students in Las Vegas.

Financial aid is available for those who apply and qualify. For more details on the financial aid process and to speak with our financial aid department, please contact us.

Yes, students in Las Vegas who apply and qualify may receive financial aid for culinary school.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, most eligible first-time postsecondary students at Escoffier received some form of financial support. Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to our Financial Aid Department to explore available options for grants and federally-backed loans.

Escoffier also offers scholarship opportunities for eligible online students. These include the Work & Learn Scholarships, the Student Veteran Scholarship, and various merit-based scholarships.

Take the next step by exploring available scholarships to determine your eligibility.

For graduates with a culinary arts diploma or degree in Las Vegas, the city’s high-profile food scene can offer a wide range of job opportunities. Here are just a few possibilities:

• Chefs and Kitchen Staff: Las Vegas is home to thousands of restaurants, including iconic hotel dining rooms, celebrity-chef establishments, and trend-forward neighborhood gems. Districts like Downtown, the Arts District, Chinatown, and The Strip, offer a wide range of restaurant opportunities for line cooks, sous chefs, and kitchen managers.
• Private Chefs: From 2019 to 2023, the number of millionaire households in the Las Vegas Valley jumped up by 166%. With its influx of affluent residents and visitors, Las Vegas has a growing demand for private chefs. These roles often involve designing and executing customized menus for clients in upscale homes, corporate retreats, and VIP suites.
• Catering and Event Chefs: As a global entertainment hub, Las Vegas often hosts events at venues like the Las Vegas Convention Center, The Smith Center, and countless other venues, both big and small. Catering chefs in this city are often called on to deliver large-scale, high-quality meals under tight timelines.
• Food Entrepreneurs: Las Vegas is a hotbed for culinary innovation. Food trucks, themed restaurants, pop-up events, and boutique catering companies thrive here thanks to a built-in tourist base and supportive small business infrastructure. For graduates looking to start a business of their own, Vegas may offer unique opportunities.

To explore more culinary job opportunities available in Las Vegas and beyond, check out our article, “13 Great Culinary Careers in the Food Industry.”

When choosing between Escoffier’s Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations and the Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts, it’s important to consider your career goals, how much time you want to spend in school, and the specific skills you hope to develop. Neither program guarantees a specific salary and the best choice will likely depend on your individual goals and preferences.

Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations: This program is designed to teach essential industry skills, including foundational cooking techniques and kitchen professionalism. It’s typically faster to complete than an associate degree, which may make it ideal for those eager to enter the workforce and start gaining hands-on experience quickly.

Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts Degree: This more in-depth program blends culinary technique with management and business education. Topics include foodservice operations, accounting, communication, and entrepreneurship. This program can be a strong fit for those aiming for leadership roles or planning to open their own culinary business.

Both programs can provide a solid foundation for a culinary career. To achieve a well-paying culinary role in Las Vegas, it’s also important to network locally, gain experience in a variety of kitchens, and continue sharpening your skills. Whether you choose a diploma or a degree, hands-on experience through externships and ongoing professional development can be key to growing your career.

Yes, culinary school online at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts can offer job search assistance to students in Las Vegas after graduation. The Career Services team provides coaching and resources to assist students in pursuing their career goals and networking with employers.

Escoffier students have access to Career Services support throughout their studies and can continue to receive assistance even after graduation.

Escoffier has been ranked by Niche.com as one of the best colleges for culinary arts in America in 2026, making it a strong option for students in Las Vegas interested in a professional culinary education. The school is known for its experienced Chef Instructors, well-rounded curriculum, and focus on sustainability and farm-to-table principles.

Programs can cover a wide range of topics, including fundamental cooking techniques, foodservice operations, business skills, and culinary management. Students also complete a hands-on industry externship, gaining valuable experience in a professional kitchen.

In addition to the Culinary Arts curriculum, Escoffier offers online courses in:

• Baking and Pastry Arts
• Food Entrepreneurship
• Plant-Based Culinary Arts
• Holistic Nutrition & Wellness
• Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management

For those in Las Vegas exploring a culinary arts career, Escoffier’s online culinary programs might be a great fit. Read our article on what you need to know about culinary school at Escoffier to learn more.