Online Culinary School Available in Hawaii

A combination of culinary education and hands-on experience can help equip you with the tools and experience needed to pursue a career as a chef in Hawaii. Here are some key steps that can help you further your culinary career:

Culinary Education: The online culinary arts program at Escoffier offers a comprehensive education in culinary techniques and kitchen management. This program allows you to learn essential skills and advance your education from almost anywhere, potentially opening up future opportunities in the culinary field. It also includes an in-person industry externship, which is invaluable for gaining practical experience as an aspiring chef.

Immerse Yourself in the Local Culinary Scene: It’s important to complement your online studies by gaining hands-on experience in Hawaii’s world-renowned culinary scene. Hawaii boasts a diverse range of restaurants, from traditional Hawaiian establishments to innovative Pacific Rim cuisine. Externships in these settings can provide necessary hands-on experience and help reinforce the skills learned in your online courses.

Start with Entry-Level Positions: Starting as a line cook or prep cook in Hawaii’s restaurants and resorts can help solidify your basic skills and expose you to the real-world pressures and demands of a professional kitchen. This experience can be extremely important for building a career in culinary arts.

Network in Hawaii: Leveraging Hawaii’s culinary scene for networking can significantly enhance your career prospects. Networking opportunities can include engaging in local food festivals, culinary competitions, and industry conferences throughout the islands. Additionally, joining professional associations, such as the American Culinary Federation’s Honolulu chapter or the Kona Kohala Chefs Association, can provide valuable connections with local chefs and restaurateurs.

Following these steps and taking advantage of both online education and local experiences can help you effectively prepare for a successful career as a chef in Hawaii.

For a detailed guide on pursuing this career, check out our Essential Guide to Becoming a Chef.

Whether you are living in Hawaii or elsewhere, see the costs for all programs here. Financial aid is available for those who apply and qualify.

To learn more about the Financial Aid process and speak with our Financial Aid department for guidance, you can contact us.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in the United States, the median salary for chefs and head cooks in Hawaii is approximately $81,200 per year as of May 2024.

It is! Escoffier stands out as the only U.S.-accredited institution offering 100% online diplomas and degrees nationwide with culinary classes and hands-on industry externships.*

Our online programs are available through the Boulder, Colorado, campus. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder, Colorado, is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).

Additionally, the school is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), Division of Private Occupational Schools. The Boulder campus is also authorized by the CDHE to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), allowing it to provide online education legally across the country.

*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.

The Hawaii culinary scene is thriving, with a strong foundation built on tourism, local agriculture, and cultural diversity that creates numerous opportunities for culinary professionals.

For graduates with a culinary arts degree or diploma in Hawaii, the islands’ dynamic culinary landscape can lead to job opportunities. Here are some potential job opportunities in Hawaii:

Chefs and Kitchen Staff: Hawaii’s dining scene spans from traditional Hawaiian restaurants to world-class resort establishments. This vibrant culinary landscape can offer numerous job opportunities for graduates, spanning a wide range of cuisines from traditional Hawaiian and Asian fusion to contemporary Pacific Rim cuisine.

Resort and Hotel Chefs: As one of the world’s premier vacation destinations, Hawaii has numerous luxury resorts and hotels that often seek experienced chefs. These positions can include everything from fine dining restaurants to poolside grills and banquet operations.

Catering and Event Chefs: Hawaii’s active wedding, corporate, and cultural event scene may offer numerous opportunities for chefs who specialize in catering. These roles typically require expertise in menu planning, large-scale food production, and client service.

Food and Beverage Managers: As a major tourist destination, Hawaii has many luxury hotels and resorts that may need experienced food and beverage directors to oversee their dining establishments, including hotel restaurants, bars, and banquet operations.

To learn more about the culinary job opportunities that might be available to you, check out our article, 13 Great Culinary Careers in the Food Industry.

Enrolling in online culinary school from Hawaii only takes about 10 minutes on Escoffier’s user-friendly online platform. For a comprehensive look at the enrollment steps, you can refer to our guide, How You Can Get into Culinary School, or reach out to the Admissions Department for personalized assistance.

Applications are accepted year-round. To get started, you will need to provide:

• Your location and demographic information
• Emergency contact details
• The culinary program you want to pursue
• Proof of high school or equivalent graduation

After filling out your application, you will receive an enrollment agreement packet via DocuSign.

Once your application is reviewed, an Admissions Team member will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps. This is also a good time to speak with the Student Finance Department to explore financing options. Financial aid is available to those who apply and qualify, which can make education accessible to many students.

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

Students from Hawaii can meet this requirement through one of the following options:

• A high school diploma or official transcript
• Passing a high school equivalency exam such as the GED, HSED, HiSet, or TASC
• Documentation of passing 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 quarter credits from an accredited institution
• A state-recognized homeschool certificate of completion
• Homeschool documentation required by local or state agencies, including notification to the agency, academic transcripts, and proof of graduation
• A DD-214 form for U.S. veterans indicating high school equivalency

Unsure if your education meets these requirements? Our Admissions Team is happy to help.

Yes, financial aid is available for students who apply and qualify from Hawaii.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the majority of first-time postsecondary students at Escoffier who qualified received some form of assistance. We encourage students to reach out to our Financial Aid Department to determine their eligibility for grants or federally-backed loans.

Escoffier offers scholarships for online students who qualify, including the Work & Learn Scholarships, the Student Veteran Scholarship, and various merit-based scholarships.

Explore the scholarships available and see if you might qualify.

Both the Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations and the Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts at Escoffier offer a wide range of skills that could help set you up for success in a high-paying culinary career. Neither diploma is necessarily better than the other for attaining a high-paying chef job; rather, they can offer different advantages depending on your career and educational goals.

Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations: This program emphasizes foundational skills required to work in a professional kitchen. It covers essential cooking techniques and basic management skills, typically taking less time to complete than an associate degree. This diploma is ideal if you want to quickly enter the workforce and start gaining practical experience in the culinary field.

Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts: This degree offers a more comprehensive curriculum, including both culinary skills and a broader education in culinary arts management. In addition to culinary techniques, it covers restaurant operations, foodservice accounting, and business communications. These courses can be particularly beneficial for those considering management positions or planning to run their own culinary business.

Both of these programs can help provide you with the necessary tools and training to succeed at attaining a high-paying chef career. You can improve your chances for success by networking in Hawaii’s thriving culinary scene, participating in externships that can equip you with practical experience, and continuously honing your skills through practice.

Yes, online culinary school at Escoffier can help provide job search assistance to students in Hawaii after graduation.

The Career Services team can provide coaching and tools to help students reach their career goals and connect with employers that align with their professional aspirations.

Students at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts receive Career Services support throughout their academic journey and can continue to receive this support even after graduation.

Niche.com has ranked Escoffier as one of the Best Colleges for Culinary Arts in America in 2026, and by conclusion one of the best culinary schools you can attend if you are living in Hawaii.

Our school is acclaimed for its Chef Instructors, comprehensive curriculum, and commitment to sustainable and farm-to-table practices. The coursework covers a wide range of topics, from fundamental cooking techniques and foodservice management to business skills and various culinary concepts.

Moreover, our programs feature hands-on industry externships, providing crucial practical experience in a professional kitchen setting.

Beyond its online culinary programs, Escoffier also offers programs in Baking and Pastry Arts, Food Entrepreneurship, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Holistic Nutrition & Wellness, and Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management.

If you’re considering a culinary arts career in Hawaii, enrolling in online culinary school at Escoffier could be an excellent educational choice.

Learn more about what distinguishes our school by reading our article on what you need to know about culinary school at Escoffier.