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!
This list also contains online schools that accept students from California.
With an Art Institutes education, imagine what you could create.
- Santa Monica
- San Diego
- Santa Ana
- More...
Set your career in motion at Virginia College Online.
- Online
- AAS - Culinary and Pastry Arts
Get hands-on training with Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America.
- San Francisco
- Pasadena
- Sacramento
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.iot.edu/disclosure
- Citrus Heights
- Clovis
Advance your career with our affordable, self-paced, career-focused distance education programs.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
- Caterer
Earn Your Diploma from Home!
- Online
- Cooking and Catering
Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education.
- Online
- AAS in Business Administration - Hospitality Management
Your creativity is a big part of who you are and where you’re going. To take it, and your future, as far as you want, you need an education that’s focused on developing your talents and putting you on the path toward the creative career that stirs your imagination. A collaborative education at The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, is all about the work, the students who create it, and the instructors who guide them.
The first step is to explore these areas of study, and think about where you fit in an industry that runs on ideas.
- Online
- Hotel & Restaurant Management (BS)
- Culinary Management (BS)
Earn your degree or diploma on your schedule and succeed at Ashworth College.
- Online
- Hotel/Restaurant Management
Find Culinary Schools in California by City
Bakersfield | Fresno | Los Angeles | Palm Springs | Pomona | Rancho Cucamonga | Riverside | Sacramento | San Bernardino | San Diego | San Francisco | San Jose | Victorville
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 – 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 |
