a chef instructs a student in a kitchen

Expert Chef Instructors

Our expert chef instructors have worked in some of the top kitchens in America. They’ve owned businesses, worked in the finest clubs and restaurants, and medaled in baking and pastry competitions. They’ve built prestigious careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. 

Now it’s your turn. You’ll work side-by-side with them in the kitchen and learn from them in the classroom. They’ll train you to tackle the challenges and prepare you to take the opportunities that lead to success as a professional in the food industry. 

a white cutting board with two hands cutting green beans with a chef's knife

Hands-On Learning

Our chef instructors get to know the students on a personal level. They dig for the talent and make sure it gets the attention it needs to thrive. 

They will work side-by-side with you in the kitchen, training you for success as a food industry professional. With their one-on-one mentorship, you’ll learn the skills you'll need throughout your career—and you'll refine them through practice to the point they're part of your makeup. 

a hand using a cloth to flip flaming food in a hot frying pan over a gas stove

Paid Externships

Your culinary education includes a paid externship. We consistently have 100% placement for students in paid externships, and more than 80% of our students are offered externship positions in four and five-star and diamond properties such as:  

  • The American Club, Kohler, WI
  • The Biltmore, Asheville, NC
  • The Breakers, Palm Beach, FL
  • The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
  • The Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh
  • Horseshoe Bay Resort, TX
  • Hilton New Orleans Riverside
  • Kiawah Island Golf Resort, SC
  • and many more
a collage of three chefs smiling to the camera

Career Outcomes

Your career options as an Culinary Academy graduate are limitless. Many of the country’s best resorts and restaurants know the caliber of chef we produce. Four out of five IUP students receive offers of permanent employment from their externship site. 

Perhaps best of all, you’ll join a workforce that’s loaded with fellow IUP culinary graduates. They’ll know the passion, talent, and work ethic you have—because they used the same formula during their time with us. 

Programs of Study

a close up shot of a calculator, pen, and paper on a table

Costs to Study at the Culinary Academy

At the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts, you'll receive a world-class culinary education at an affordable cost. 

Instructional costs for the Academy of Culinary Arts are $7,848 per semester and total cost per semester is $9,310.50, with no charge for the externship semester. 

Learn more about tuition costs as well as fees and housing costs for IUP culinary students. 

female culinary presenting a dish

Apply to the Culinary Academy

Learn what it takes to become a culinary student at IUP.

male culinary student listening to the check during an instruction

Next Steps after Culinary Arts Admission

Congratulations on your acceptance to IUP! Once you have decided to attend IUP for Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry, take these steps before you come to campus:

Housing at the Culinary Academy

You'll find that living in our community makes it easy to participate in activities and university functions, access university resources, gain leadership experience, and make connections that will last a lifetime.

Information for Teachers and Counselors

Learn basic facts about IUP's Academy of Culinary Arts for more in-depth conversations with students about their career options.

Contact Culinary Arts Admissions

Call or email us with your questions! Schedule an appointment with your counselor. This is a great opportunity to get personalized attention and answers to all of your admissions questions.

Kala Vargo

Culinary Admissions Counselor
kvargo@iup.edu
Office: 814-938-8400
Cell: 724-541-9998

Mysti Dinger

Student Services Coordinator
mysti@iup.edu
Office: 814-939-3336
Cell: 724-599-5658