South Dakota Culinary Adventures

South Dakota cuisine draws on the abundant meat and game available locally. Traditional recipes include pheasant, beef, and lamb, generally accompanied by starches such as pasta and locally grown veggies, including pumpkin. The official state dessert is kuchen (German for "cake"), reflecting the German settler heritage of the area. For aspiring chefs in South Dakota, culinary school is often the first step towards making a career that blends the traditions of the past with the tastes of the present.

A culinary school education can help you prepare for a career as a chef or food service manager. Students can learn about various culinary arts, including restaurant cooking, international foods, pastries, and restaurant management. Many chefs begin working in kitchens and move on to restaurant management. Learning how a kitchen and restaurant function, how to create signature dishes and meet rigorous culinary standards, and how to develop your own business can all be part of a degree program at a South Dakota culinary school.

South Dakota Chefs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported average annual earnings of $34,710 for South Dakota chefs and head cooks in 2007. Some chef positions are salaried, depending upon the establishment and the experience of the chef. In South Dakota's larger cities, such as Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, chefs may find the best career opportunities, since more restaurants, hotels, and other job sites are located there. A chef with a degree from culinary school and several years of experience should be able to better compete for jobs in this industry.

Some chefs go into business for themselves after gaining valuable experience in restaurant kitchens. Working as a personal chef and offering catering services is a competitive business, but it can allow chefs greater flexibility in their career.

Featured Schools

Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America

Bring Your Fire to the Plate. Le Cordon Bleu. Learn the Way.

Campus Locations:

Saint Paul
Portland
Scottsdale
Orlando
Hollywood
Las Vegas

Programs:

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland - 12 Month Certificate in Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas - Certificate in Culinary Arts