Culinary Arts Schools in California

Thinking about attending a culinary school in California? This state is by far one of the most popular locations for students considering an education in culinary arts. For one, its two-season climate and warm weather allows farmers to grow a variety of crops throughout the year, and its long coastline boasts plenty of fresh seafood. In addition, California’s large Asian and Latin American populations have influenced this state’s unique cuisine, giving rise to an immensely popular fusion cuisine. Students interested in taking part in the innovative Los Angeles food scene can find culinary schools in Southern California, while aspiring chefs wanting to dive into the San Francisco food culture can find culinary schools in Northern California as well.

California Culinary Schools and Employment Information

With both a growing population and thriving tourism sector, California offers numerous opportunities for careers in the hospitality industry, namely in specialty and commercial baking, dining, and hotel establishments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that California employs slightly more chefs and foodservice workers as part of its overall workforce. For example, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale and the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City metropolitan areas have some of the highest employment levels for chefs and head cooks in the country. In addition, Napa has one of the highest concentrations of chef jobs nationally. And although some parts of California do have higher living costs, chefs working in those areas are compensated with higher salaries than their counterparts in other parts of the country. The average chef salary in California, according to 2011 bls.gov data, comes to $48,490, making it one of the top states for highest annual income in food service jobs.

Gaining professional experience is necessary to advance in this growing culinary workforce. However, a culinary arts degree assuring employers of both dedication and a solid skill set can also be an asset.

For prospective students of culinary arts, schools in California are easy to find and offer a variety of degrees and opportunities. Check out the list of culinary schools in California below for more information on individual degree programs. Additional lists of California culinary schools by city make it easy to find a culinary college near you.

Additional Information on Culinary Colleges in California from Chef2chef.net
Baking and Pastry Arts Schools in California
Hotel Management Schools in California
Pastry Chef Schools in California

Additional Resources for Culinary Students
Bureau of Labor Statistics career profile for cooks and chefs
Occupational Information Network (O*NET) job profiles for chefs and food service managers
California Department of Public Health: California Food Safety Program

Check out this directory of California culinary schools and institutes to get started!

Note: This list also contains schools that accept culinary students from California.

The Art Institutes

The Art Institutes system of schools offers a range of master's, bachelor's, and associate's degree programs, as well as diploma and certificate programs specializing in the creative and applied arts. We also offer a variety of online, evening, and weekend learning options, so there's an education solution to fit your schedule. And our professional-grade technology can give you the practical skills to match your ideashelping you transform your creative energy into a fulfilling career.

Programs:

Culinary Arts (AS)
Culinary Arts (AAS)
Culinary Arts (D)

Campus Locations:

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

Advance your career with Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.

Programs:

Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts Management
Associate of Applied Science in Baking & Pastry Arts

Campus Locations:

Coos Bay

Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America

Bring Your Fire to the Plate. Le Cordon Bleu. Learn the Way.

Programs:

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles - 12 Month Certificate in Culinary Arts
California Culinary Academy - Certificate in Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis/St. Paul - Certificate in Culinary Arts

Campus Locations:

San Diego Culinary Institute

San Diego Culinary Institute is San Diego's culinary school of choice.

Programs:

Diplome Professionnel du Commis de Cuisine
Diplome Professionnel du Boulangerie et de la Patisserie

Campus Locations:

La Mesa

Institute of Technology

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

Culinary Arts Specialist
Culinary Arts Professional
Baking and Pastry Specialist

Campus Locations:

Modesto

Citrus Heights

Clovis

Heald College

Get the real-world education you need to succeed at Heald College.

Programs:

Hospitality & Tourism

Campus Locations:

Fresno

Empire College

Prepare for a rewarding career with a quality education from Empire College.

Programs:

Hospitality/Tourism

Campus Locations:

Santa Rosa

Argosy University

Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its five colleges: Psychology andBehavioral Sciences, Education, Business, Health Sciences, and Undergraduate Studies, as well as certificate programs in many areas.

Programs:

Master of Science in Service Sector Management (M.S.)

Campus Locations:

Find Culinary Schools in California by City

Other California Culinary Schools

School Name	City or Town	Programs Offered
Cypress College	Anaheim	Hotel, Restaurant and Culinary Arts Program
Cabrillo College	Aptos	Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management.
Bakersfield College	Bakersfield	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education	Baldwin Park	Culinary Arts
The French Culinary Institute	Campbell	Classic Pastry Arts
California State University - Chico	Chico	Resort and Lodging Management
Orange Coast College	Costa Mesa	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Grossmont College	El Cajon	Culinary Arts
Living Light Culinary Arts Institute	Fort Bragg	Culinary Arts
Quality College of Culinary Careers	Fresno	Baking and Pastry Chef
Glendale Community College	Glendale	Culinary Arts
National Culinary School	La Mesa	Bakery School
Laguna Culinary Arts Professional School	Laguna Beach	Professional Chef Program
California State University - Long Beach	Long Beach	B.S. degree in Hospitality Foodservice and Hotel Management
Long Beach City College	Long Beach	Culinary Arts
California Motel Training	Loomis	Hotel/Motel Management and Operations
Chef Erics Culinary Classroom	Los Angeles	10-Week Culinary Baking/Pastry Program - Certification Program
Los Angeles Trade Technical College	Los Angeles	Culinary Arts Associates Arts Degree
Saddleback College	Mission Viejo	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Cerritos College	Norwalk	Culinary Arts Professional Baking and Pastry
Laney College	Oakland	Culinary Arts Degrees
College of the Desert	Palm Desert	Culinary Arts
Pasadena City College	Pasadena	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Bauman College	Penngrove	Natural Chef Training
Diablo Valley College	Pleasant Hill	Certificate in Baking and Pastry
The Collins College of Hospitality Management	Pomona	Hospitality Management
Chaffey Community College	Rancho Cucamonga	Culinary Arts
Shasta College	Redding	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Riverside Community College	Riverside	Culinary Applied Technology
American River College	Sacramento	Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management
Skills and Business Ed Center - Sacramento City Usd	Sacramento	Culinary Arts & Related Services
San Bernardino Valley College	San Bernardino	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
San Diego Mesa College	San Diego	Culinary Arts/Chef Training
San Diego State University	San Diego	Foods & Nutrition Studies
Travel University International	San Diego	Foodservice Management Certificate
City College of San Francisco	San Francisco	Culinary & Service Skills Training
San Francisco State University	San Francisco	Hospitality and Tourism Management
San Jose State University	San Jose	Foods & Nutrition Studies
Contra Costa College	San Pablo	Culinary Arts
Santa Barbara City College	Santa Barbara	Culinary Arts and Hotel Management
Mission College	Santa Clara	Hospitality Management
Santa Rosa Junior College	Santa Rosa	Culinary; Baking; Front House
Columbia College	Sonora	Certificate in Hospitality Management: Chef
Lake Tahoe Community College	South Lake Tahoe	A.A. Degree â€“ Culinary Arts
San Joaquin Delta College	Stockton	Baking & Pastry Arts
Victor Valley College	Victorville	Restaurant Management
West Valley Occupational Center	Woodland Hills	Baker/Pastry Chef