Allentown Pennsylvania Culinary Arts Schools, Baking & Pastry Schools, Hospitality Management Schools

Culinary Schools in Allentown Pennsylvania

Allentown, located in the Lehigh Valley (which is comprised of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton) offers a diversity of food and regional styles of cooking. Influenced by many unique cultures holding long-time ties, tastes like Italian, American, Dutch and even Jamaican are centered here. Of course, more traditional offerings still exist and remain strong, which is why it is not hard to find a cheesesteak, burger or pizza. Food trucks are beginning to stir up the flavors bringing in newer tastes, such as Spanish, Egyptian and good old barbeque. The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market features more than 60 vendors that can be shopped year round, and where you can find Amish pies, ready-made salads, Mediterranean foods, homemade potato chips, French olives and more. Also on the rise are the Valley’s 13 – so far – breweries and distilleries. Though the region is still growing, the potential for new and diverse foods is getting stronger. Though Allentown is home to just 120,000 people, the greater Lehigh Valley sees more than 658,000 people, all of whom are hungry. Average salaries in Allentown, according to BLS, show that chefs and head cooks can earn up to $58,000 annually; bakers can expect $24,000; and food service managers can see $64,000. Growth in the region through the next decade is about 7%.