Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top Culinary Scholarships in July 2022
Aspiring chefs, we cooked up a special batch of scholarships just for you! Here at Scholarships360, we have a special place for those of you enjoy cooking and baking! If you are seeking a culinary, restaurant management, or hospitality degree, the following scholarships are an excellent opportunity to help fund your education. Four of the scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. There are a variety of requirements for each of the scholarships, so give yourself enough time to look them over! Julia Child once said, “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” These scholarships will help you pursue those interests, whether they are in the kitchen, restaurant, or hotel.
Jump ahead to:
Below you will learn more about scholarship eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts for these tasty scholarships!
Top culinary scholarships in July 2022
ACFEF Scholarships
- Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to college majoring in culinary education.
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: Biannual: April 30th and October 31st of each year
$2,500 Gourmet Foods International Culinary Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors or undergraduate students with 2.75 or above GPAs who are accepted/enrolled in an accredited culinary or hospitality school programs in Georgia
- Amount: $2,500 (two scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: September 15, 2022
Food Dreams Scholarship
- Eligibility: Pell-eligible high school graduates interested in Culinary Arts
- Amount: $20,000
- Deadline: Rolling
Other culinary scholarships
Culinary Institute of America New York Campus Scholarships
- Eligibility: High school seniors majoring in Culinary or Pastry Arts at the Culinary Institute of America in NYC
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
TigerChef Culinary and Hospitality Program Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in food-related classes, including baking, culinary management, hospitality management, culinary art
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Biannual – May 15th and November 15th (annually)
Johnson and Wales University Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors majoring in Culinary or Pastry Arts at Johnson and Wales
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: December 1 of each year
Frequently asked questions about culinary scholarships
Is culinary school cheaper than college?
Culinary school is typically cheaper than college, but costs can vary widely for both college and culinary school. For example, as of 2022, New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute charges about $16,400. This is significantly less than most undergraduate college programs. However, you can find culinary schools that are both cheaper and more expensive than this price. Furthermore, it should be noted that their quoted price does not include housing.
Can you get a scholarship for cooking if you don’t go to culinary school?
Yes! For example, some students taking food-related courses qualify for culinary scholarships. So, this could include classes such as Sociology of Food. It could also include students who take cooking courses but do not plan on going to culinary school. Check out some of the other options on our list for more cooking scholarships.
Can I use the Pell Grant for culinary school?
Yes, you can! Accredited culinary schools count as qualifying undergraduate institutions, so as long as you have not already used up your Pell Grant funds on a Bachelor’s, you can use Pell Grant money for culinary school. Just remember, you will need to qualify for the Pell Grant through economic need, by filling out the FAFSA.
Is culinary school considered college?
Some culinary schools offer bachelor’s degrees, while others offer certificates, and so might be considered more of a trade school. The answer to this question varies based on which school you attend and how long you spend in school. To read more about the differences between these different types of degrees, check out our article on different types of undergraduate degrees.
Upcoming culinary scholarships
GoFoodservice Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school and current college students enrolling or enrolled in a culinary arts or hospitality management program as full or part-time students
- Amount: $500
James Beard Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors, college students, and experienced culinary workers. There are multiple categories and niche awards that are geographically and/or culinary specific
- Amount: Awards range from $1,000 to $20,000
John Kitt Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Current college sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a demonstrated interest in confectionery technology
- Amount: $5,000
- Opens: Early 2023
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Enrolled or accepted as a full time or part-time student majoring in a restaurant or foodservice-related program
- Amount: $2,500 to $10,000
- Opens: January 15, 2023
Sugar Spun Run Scholarship
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen, transfer students, undergraduate, and graduate students
- Amount: $500
