Anyone who wants to start a culinary arts career as an Alaska resident must consider a few important business and technical requirements. The following sections introduce readers to all of these requirements and more.
After analyzing the educational, licensing, and certification requirements, we include an additional resource showing the top training programs for individuals to consider.
Lastly, the guide concludes with an extensive examination of the annual average salary estimates for chefs in Alaska and the steps that can be taken to improve these numbers.
How to Become a Chef in Alaska
The following steps are required to become a chef in Alaska.
Training Programs
Training programs for prospective chefs in Alaska do not have to be structured as four-year programs. In fact, candidates are not even mandated by law to attend an academic institution anyway.
They simply do so because this leads to acquiring comprehensive skills in a very structured learning environment. The best training programs also offer courses geared towards developing business proficiency and networking opportunities.
Some culinary arts programs can be completed in a few months and lead to a certificate, and some can be completed in a couple of years and lead to an associate degree.
Hands-On Experience
The best culinary arts programs start with classroom education and then provide hands-on learning opportunities. Some may do that by necessitating an internship, while some institutions have restaurants and cafes on campus where culinary art students will improve their hands-on skills.
Specialization
Prospective chefs may already have a specialty area in mind after completing a training program. Some programs offer specialty training in international cuisines, pastry arts, food management, hospitality, and more.
Employment & Career Growth
Certification is a tool for career growth for chefs in Alaska and elsewhere. The following section explores possible certification options for professionals in this field.
It also analyzes the steps that candidates need to take to start their home successful businesses.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Chefs and culinary artists in Alaska naturally start their careers as assistants, such as prep cooks or sous chefs. Then, they move on to managing a kitchen independently.
The next step is to start a restaurant or catering service. For this, candidates will need necessary permits from the state and must follow the legal process to incorporate a business.
The only necessary license is a food handler’s license.
As for certification, as mentioned earlier, it can be very beneficial for career growth. The American Culinary Federation is the major authority that accredits culinary arts training programs and provides professional credentials.
Graduates of accredited programs have a straightforward path to acquiring the ACF Certified Culinarian credential.
Top Culinary Arts Schools in Alaska
Candidates may attend any of the following institutions for sound training as a prospective culinary artist in Alaska.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK Campus Only
University of Alaska Anchorage offers culinary arts training through its Culinary Arts and Hospitality Administration Division. Students can pursue an associate of applied science degree, a culinary arts certificate, or an occupational certificate in baking and pastry arts.
Tuition
$241 - $841 per CreditContact
(907) 786-1487
wdlowell@alaska.edu
Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Seward, AK Campus Only
Alaska Vocational Technical Center offers a culinary arts program that emphasizes food handling and takes a competency-based approach.
Tuition
$3,287 per ProgramContact
(907) 224-3322
admissions@avtec.edu
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK Campus + Online
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an associate of applied science in Culinary Arts and Hospitality and a baking and pastry arts certificate.
Tuition
$234 - $800 per CreditContact
(907) 455-2800
uaf-ctc@alaska.edu
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Salary & Career Outlook
Chefs in Alaska who want to improve their yearly earnings may want to work on factors like business strategy, professional credentials, networking, and experience. Individuals can also move to favorable locations in hopes of improving their yearly returns.
Currently, the following places hold the distinction of having the highest annual average salary for chefs in Alaska:
- Juneau, with an annual average salary of $79,707;
- Sitka, with an annual average salary of $78,194; and
- King Salmon, with an annual average salary of $77,682.
Without analyzing location alone, chefs in Alaska make $82,762 in the highest-earning category and $45,239 in the lowest-earning category. If they fall into the median category, they manage an annual average salary of $61,189.