California Culinary Arts Schools

Here is a list of California culinary arts schools which offer a variety of degrees and diplomas in the culinary field. We've also gathered information on culinary arts careers. Click on a school to find more specific information or just scroll down the page through all the schools and their programs.

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California Culinary Academy

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Locations: San Francisco, CA

Baking and Pastry Arts (Certificate)
The Academy offers an intensive program for those interested in professional baking and pastry. This 30-week Certificate Program includes a comprehensive study of baking and pastry to prepare a student for various positions at bakeries, pastry shops, restaurants, hotels, and the rapidly growing segment of in-store supermarket bakeries.
Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts (Associate's Degree)
For those seeking a career in the culinary arts, the Academy offers an intensive program of study leading to an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts. Rigorous and comprehensive, this 60-week program of cooking courses prepares a student for various positions at restaurants, hotels, culinary schools, private clubs, resorts, cruise lines, food magazines, and many other culinary related businesses.
Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management (Associate's Degree)
The Academy's Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management Degree Program offers a comprehensive course of study that combines sound managerial theory with practical hands-on training. This 10-month program provides a strong basis in management practices as well as basic culinary skills that will help graduates to achieve their goals in exciting hospitality and culinary careers.

California School of Culinary Arts

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Locations: Pasadena, CA

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts (Associate's Degree)
Train for a culinary career in as little as 15 months. The program combines classical Le Cordon Bleu training with modern American technologies to give you the edge you need in the culinary world. You'll work side-by-side with industry instructors and can develop the culinary skills and creativity to become prepared to work in a professional kitchen.
Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management (Diploma)
The Hospitality & Restaurant Management Program at the California School of Culinary Arts is an accelerated 12-month program designed for students interested in owning or running a restaurant. The curriculum includes intensive, practical and comprehensive training courses that are taught at succeeding levels under the technical guidance and close supervision of skilled Chefs.
Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking (Diploma)
Encompassing the range of baking and pastry techniques, from old-world classics to the newest innovations in the field, our Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking program allows you to develop in an artistic field, armed with skills that are in high demand. Choose from a 30-week program for weekday classes, or a 45-week program with weekend classes.

California School of Culinary Arts

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Locations: Hollywood, CA / Sacramento, CA

Professional Culinary Arts (Diploma)
Kitchen Academy's Accelerated Training System focuses solely on the techniques you need to succeed in today's fast-paced professional kitchens. You will concentrate exclusively on building your cooking and baking skills in our gorgeous, well-equipped kitchens. And, you'll have the privilege of learning the art of cuisine from experienced instructors, while you enjoy the support of a staff dedicated to helping each student reach their goal of working in a professional kitchen.

Center for Employment Training

Locations: San Jose, CA

Culinary Center of Monterey

Locations: Monterey, CA

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Institute of Technology

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Locations: Clovis, CA / Roseville, CA

Baking & Pastry Specialist (Diploma)
Culinary Arts Specialist (Diploma)

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The Art Institute of California

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Locations: Santa Ana (Orange County), CA / San Diego, CA / San Bernardino (Inland Empire), CA / Sacramento, CA / Santa Monica (Los Angeles), CA

Baking and Pastry (Diploma)
Culinary Arts (Associate's Degree)
Culinary Management (Bachelor's Degree)
The Art of Cooking (Diploma)

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Online Schools

Monroe College

An Introduction To Culinary Careers

The culinary arts incorporate an expansive range of potential careers. Many people believe that a culinary course can only lead down one career path towards becoming a chef. However, there are a plethora of choices available to the willing culinary student. Teaching, restaurant or hotel management and specialist chef roles are just a small selection of the roles that are available for individuals with culinary interest and talent.

Employment and Earnings Statistics

Potential wages vary greatly depending on the industry and the precise role. According to the Department of Labor there were over 115,000 chef and head cook jobs in May of 2005 and the average hourly wage was given at $17.23 per hour. There were 1.5 million cooks' jobs ranging from fast food to restaurant cooks. The average hourly wage ranged from $7.45 per hour for a fast food cook to $11.18 per hour for a private household cook. Top chefs can expect to earn $30 or more per hour with $17 or more per hour for the most highly-regarded household cooks.

A Change in Culinary Demands

Demand for chefs and cooks will always remain relatively constant. The major differences tend to be between the industries in which the roles are available. More and more people have turned to fast food as an easy and quick meal and, as such, there are many more cooks jobs available in the fast food industry than there were ten or even five years ago. In contrast, though, the population is now beginning to lean towards the higher-end restaurants with a greater variation in food. This means that in the next five to ten years a larger number of gourmet chefs will be required compared to fewer fast food cooks.

The Best Course of Education or Vocation

It is possible to advance up the culinary ladder in terms of career development but it can take years as a cook or assistant cook before any real advance is seen. A smart option is to earn a certificate or degree in a culinary subject. Most cook's positions do not require a degree - a certificate or relevant experience is often enough - however, top chef jobs will generally require a good degree or a certificate and a good level of experience.

Read our article, The Changing Face of Culinary Careers, for more detailed information about a culinary arts education and potential career paths.

Have we forgotten a California culinary arts school?

If you know of a California culinary arts school that we don't have listed here, please let us know by emailing us at info@california-vocational-schools.com.