Maine Culinary Schools & Certificate Programs

If you love to eat and prepare seafood on the coast, the New England state of Maine is the place for you. Maine’s coastline is full of fresh lobsters, as well as residents and tourists that love to eat them. The state is a wonderful place to learn how to cook some of the freshest seafood and produce in the United States. Maine is a great place to live, too, as it’s full of New England charm.

Maine’s hotel and restaurant industry is highly competitive, so it’s a good idea to complete higher education in order to be well qualified for some of the best jobs in the state. You can do this by obtaining a certificate or degree in a culinary program. These programs can be found throughout the state in four year universities, private culinary arts institutes, and community colleges. While studying culinary arts in Maine, you’ll learn many ways to prepare lobster and other fresh seafood, as well as traditional cooking, knife techniques, restaurant management, nutrition, and Maine’s requirements for handling and sanitation.

Getting a culinary education in Maine is generally fairly expensive, although having this education will pay off in the end by getting you a better job with a higher salary. You may find that you need help paying for your culinary program, and the state of Maine is happy to help. Maine has a variety of resources to offer students in the area, including the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), which is an independent state agency that offers programs for financing higher education and businesses. Maine also offers plenty of information about smart strategies for financial aid, college scholarships, grants, loans and federal aid.

By now, it’s almost certainly obvious that a culinary career in Maine will largely center on the skillful preparation of fresh seafood. Lobster, clam chowder, and fried clams are just a few of the state’s specialties. Maine’s culinary scene centers on small, well established restaurants that have great reputations with both locals and tourists.

In the New England region, Maine generally has a higher cost of living than many other states in the nation. However, salaries in the state are higher to make up for the difference. Executive chefs in Portland, Maine will usually earn between a$44,000 and $100,000 annual salary per year. Some of the best paying jobs can be found in small, popular restaurants in tourist locations.


Top Culinary Programs

Ashworth College

Ashworth College - With an online program available, students can start a career in the culinary arts quickly and easily.
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Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster Career School - Students interested in becoming a caterer will enjoy the program offered by Penn Foster Career School. Penn Foster has classes entirely online so students never have to leave their home.
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Stratford Career Institute

Stratford Career Institute - Stratford Career Institute prepares students in reaching their goals in the Culinary industry with a great program available online.
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The Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America - The Culinary Institute of America is a high quality program for students interested in learning the culinary arts from some of the best chefs in the country.
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Le Cordon Bleu

San Franciso
Sacramento
Portland

Le Cordon Bleu - One of the highest respected cooking schools, Le Cordon Bleu has graduated some of the top chef's currently working in restaurants around the country today.
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