Culinary college · Manitou Springs, CO
Private career culinary school in Manitou Springs founded by Master Chef Victor Matthews
Paragon Culinary School is a private career school, not a place for a one-off evening class. Master Chef Victor Matthews opened it in 2004. He is a former United States Culinary Ambassador who bought the Black Bear Restaurant in Green Mountain Falls in 1999. The office is at 335 Manitou Ave in Manitou Springs. Teaching happens there, at Briarhurst in Manitou Springs and at the Black Bear.
Enrolling signs you up for the full program of nine courses. It costs $29,999 and you can spread it over one to three years. New students start in August, November and March. Classes run Monday through Thursday. One course is 8 hours a week, and a full-time load of three courses is 24 hours. Students work side by side with chefs who each have at least ten years in their field. Training runs from basic skills to ice carving, fruit sculpting, wine service and restaurant management.
You don't need any prior training, but the school expects real commitment. It holds a 5-star Google rating from 13 reviews. Single classes are very rare, so ask the office before counting on one.
Serious cooks
Multi-week courses and boot camps
Beginners
No experience needed
Written from Paragon Culinary School’s own site and class listings, October 2026. How we write these
Read from their own listings and checked weekly. Prices are per person.
We can’t read Paragon Culinary School’s schedule automatically yet. See their classes on their own site.
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Very rarely. Enrolling usually means joining the full program of nine courses, though the school says there are some rare exceptions if you ask.
Total tuition is $29,999 for all nine courses, which can be spread over one to three years.
No. The school accepts students with no training at all, but it asks for a serious passion for cooking.
Yes. One course is 8 hours a week, two courses are 16 hours and a full-time load of three is 24 hours, so many students balance school with work and family.
There is no federal student aid. The school offers in-house payment plans and accepts a variety of military benefits.
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