Culinary school is worth it! If you want to build professional technique, industry connections, and career momentum in a short period of time, the investment pays dividends to your career. At NOCHI, students complete an immersive, hands-on certificate program in just six months. Rather than spending years on general education courses, you focus entirely on culinary arts or baking & pastry arts.

Students gain:

• Professional kitchen training

• Industry-recognized credentials

• Direct employer connections

• Resume-building externship experience

For career-changers, recent high school graduates, veterans, and hospitality professionals seeking advancement, or anyone looking to step into the kitchen, culinary school can significantly accelerate career growth.

Yes. NOCHI’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Accreditation ensures that NOCHI meets national standards for quality education and institutional accountability.

No. NOCHI welcomes students of all ages, including career changers. Many of our students enter the program after working in other industries.

No prior professional kitchen experience is required. Programs are designed to teach foundational through advanced skills.

Yes. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent to enroll in NOCHI’s certificate programs.

If you are currently in high school or working toward your GED, our admissions team can discuss your timeline and next steps.

NOCHI’s core culinary and baking programs are in-person and hands-on. Because professional cooking and pastry arts require physical technique, knife skills, and kitchen practice, our programs are delivered onsite in our professional teaching kitchens by instructors experienced within the industry.

Currently, our certificate programs are offered only during daytime hours to ensure full immersion and access to teaching kitchens. Please contact our admissions team if you are interested in an evening course for updates on future offerings.

Attending culinary school in New Orleans offers a unique advantage: you train in one of the world’s most celebrated food cities while gaining real, career-ready experience. Known for its blend of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, New Orleans provides a deep, living culinary tradition.

NOCHI culinary students benefit from direct access to a thriving hospitality industry, with opportunities for externships, networking, and employment across renowned restaurants, hotels, and hospitality businesses.

NOCHI’s downtown location places students in the heart of this ecosystem. Studying in New Orleans means learning in a community where culture, technique, and opportunity come together, helping you enter the workforce faster and more prepared.

NOCHI’s certificate programs are completed in approximately six months. Students train in intensive, hands-on kitchen environments designed to prepare them for immediate employment in restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and hospitality businesses.

NOCHI’s class schedule is Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Students spend most of their day in hands-on kitchen labs, practicing techniques, preparing recipes, and receiving direct feedback from instructors. Classroom instruction supports practical training with culinary math, theory, food safety, and hospitality principles.

This is a typical daily schedule:

7:30 – 8:10 AM: Lecture
8:10 – 8:20 AM: Break
8:20 – 12:00 PM: Daily line up & production
12:00 – 12:45 PM: Family meal
12:45 – 1:30 PM: Clean up
1:30 – 2:15 PM: Lecture for next day’s production
2:15 – 2:30 PM: Review tomorrow’s recipes
2:30 PM: Dismissal

Yes. The academic calendar includes scheduled breaks throughout the program and on recognized holidays. While the program is intensive and fast-paced, students do have planned time off to rest and reset. 

Students may enroll in more than one certificate program; however, programs are completed sequentially rather than simultaneously due to the immersive schedule. Both certificates can be completed in one year.

Admissions advisors can help you design your educational plan.

NOCHI does not rent kitchens for individual cooking practice. Certificate program students are able to practice in the labs for Saturday School within the curriculum. Some alumni may be able to rent NOCHI kitchens in a commissary capacity depending on availability.

However, our facilities are available for private events, corporate team-building experiences, custom cooking classes, and industry training through our Hospitality Investment Training (HIT) programs.

Yes. Many students successfully work while attending NOCHI. Because our programs are immersive and skills-focused, we recommend work schedules that are structured around our Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM schedule.

Students often work:

• Evenings

• Weekends

• In hospitality roles aligned with their studies

Time management is important, but working during the program can enhance your real-world experience.

Yes. Career placement support is a core part of the NOCHI experience.

Students benefit from:

• A required externship at a local hospitality business

• Industry partnerships

• Resume and interview coaching

• Student and alumni job fairs

NOCHI has strong relationships with restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and hospitality groups throughout New Orleans and beyond.

Yes. All certificate students participate in a hands-on externship as part of their program. The externship places students in professional kitchens or hospitality environments to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting.

Externships:

• Provide practical experience

• Expand professional networks

• Strengthen resumes

• Often lead to job offers

Graduates of NOCHI pursue careers such as:

• Line Cook

• Pastry Cook

• Cake Decorator

• Sous Chef

• Private Chef

• Catering Chef

• Bakery Manager

• Food & Beverage Manager

NOCHI also supports graduates who want to open their own food businesses.

Yes. NOCHI offers career services, employer networking, externships, and resume support to help graduates secure employment.

NOCHI graduates work in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and hospitality groups throughout New Orleans and beyond. Employer relationships are built through externships and workforce partnerships.

For the most up-to-date tuition information, please visit our Tuition page or contact our admissions team directly.

Tuition includes:

• Professional instruction

• Kitchen lab access

• Industry certifications

• Career support services

NOCHI offers a variety of merit- and need-based scholarships funded by generous donors and industry partners.

To apply:

1. Submit your program application.

2. Complete the scholarship application form.

3. Provide required supporting materials (essay, financial information, etc.)

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so applying early increases your chances of receiving funding. Financial aid advisors are available to guide you through the process.

NOCHI does not currently offer federal work study. However, many students work part-time in restaurants, bakeries, hotels, and hospitality venues while attending school. Our student services team can help connect students with flexible employment opportunities that align with their class schedules.

Yes. NOCHI offers structured installment plans that allow students to divide tuition into manageable monthly payments throughout the program.

As an accredited institution, NOCHI accepts federal financial aid, including Pell Grants. Prospective students should speak directly with the admissions team for the most current financial aid options.

Yes, NOCHI is a VA-approved institution.

Eligible veterans and military-connected students should contact admissions to confirm current benefit eligibility and documentation requirements.

NOCHI does not provide on-campus housing or dormitories. However, our team can provide recommendations for nearby apartments, shared housing options, and short-term rentals in downtown New Orleans.

Many students live in neighborhoods such as:

• Central Business District (CBD)

• Warehouse District

• French Quarter

• Bywater

• Mid-City

• Uptown

We are happy to guide out-of-town students through relocation planning.