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The 10 Best Culinary Schools in Oregon

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Since Oregon has an abundance of outdoor recreation and stunning landscapes, it is undoubtedly one of the best states in the country to settle. To complement the lively outdoors, Oregon has more than 10,000 dining establishments, generating approximately $10B in the state’s local economy.

The Beaver State’s restaurant industry is a significant factor in the economy, generating more career opportunities for several natives and migrants and huge tax revenues to Oregon.

With promising growth in the food service and restaurant industry, it can be an excellent time to pursue a culinary degree in Oregon and immerse yourself in the state’s booming food and beverage sector.

Oregon is an excellent spot for the training and education of veteran and aspiring culinary professionals. The state offers plenty of opportunities and varieties for culinary ventures, exploring various tastes and cuisines in several food establishments. With well-known craft beer breweries, a thriving wine industry, and many restaurants, Oregon can be an exciting stepping stone toward launching a culinary career. 

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Many wine experts, beer connoisseurs, and food enthusiasts in Oregon love to explore and try a variety of cuisines and beverages. However, home-grown and locally caught ingredients are highly desired by many residents. Fresh seafood dishes are also abundant in Oregon.

Culinary schools in Oregon will educate and prepare aspiring chefs to cater to the diverse needs of pubs, restaurants, hole-in-the-walls, and all kinds of appetites. While Portland remains Oregon’s top culinary destination, other cities like Coos Bay, Albany, Eugene, and Bend offer distinct culinary experiences. 

Overall, restaurants in Oregon are the most popular employers for culinary professionals. The annual median income for chefs in Oregon is $55,040. No certification or licensure requirements are needed for cooks or chefs in the state. However, Oregon will require a license to operate if running their own catering company or opening a restaurant.

Although Oregon has several culinary schools, the ideal culinary school will depend on various factors, including financial aid offerings, programs, tuition fees, and location. Some culinary schools in Oregon are associated with community colleges, while some are private institutions run by actual chefs. Some culinary schools also have hospitality, pastry arts, and baking as part of their program curriculum. 

If you are an aspiring chef, home cook, or passionate about the art of cooking and baking, enroll in a culinary program that best fits your culinary preferences and style. We’ve put together the ten best culinary schools in Oregon currently offering in-person and virtual classes for aspiring culinary professionals.

Best Culinary Schools in Oregon

Cascade Culinary Institute

Cascade Culinary Institute

: Bend, OR

Cascade Culinary Institute is headquartered in Central Oregon Community College. In addition to CCI, the college also offers a diverse range of continuing education courses in culinary, making it one of the best culinary schools in Oregon. However, aspiring culinary professionals wanting to pursue a more in-depth academic program in culinary must enroll in one of the culinary programs offered by the Cascade Culinary Institute.

The Cascade Culinary Institute offers three Associate of Applied Science degrees and three certificate programs, namely the following:

  • Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Associate of Applied Science – Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management
  • Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Hospitality Management Certificate

The 94-credit Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts program receives Exemplary status from the American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission. It is a 7-term program that will expose students to the holistic process of contemporary and classical culinary arts techniques.

The program will emphasize culinary ratios and methods rather than recipes, with 70% practical experience and 30% theory. The AAS in Baking & Pastry Arts program requires 95 to 96 credits for degree completion. It has also garnered Exemplary status from the ACF Foundation Accrediting Commission, emphasizing contemporary and classical baking and pastry arts techniques.

CCI’s Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts certificates have received Exemplary status from the American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission. Both programs are 4-term programs that will educate and train students with various classical and contemporary culinary arts or baking and pastry arts techniques. 

CCI adheres to competency-based learning, providing students with nurturing and high-quality instructions throughout the academic experience. Each program has a curriculum supplemented by practical and written examinations in every laboratory course. After completing the first and second academic year, students must take a master’s practical exam.

Since the programs feature competency-based applied-learning activities, culinary arts majors are assessed according to four major components, namely professionalism, organization, and food safety & sanitation.

The culinary school remains steadfast in providing interactive culinary education, with an 18:1 student-to-instructor ratio in every laboratory course throughout the program. All Chef-Instructors have relevant professional experience, advocating students’ learning experience through access during office hours. 

Students immerse themselves in Open Labs that serve as a venue for developing their culinary expertise and proficiencies outside their coursework under the Chef-Instructor’s supervision. They will also have the opportunity to access the all-new Jungers Culinary Center which will become a venue for students’ applied learning experience, consisting of a student-run restaurant, a demonstration theatre, and three instructional kitchens.

The Elevation restaurant at CCI will also serve as the capstone course for culinary arts majors. A restaurant is also a place for community members to enjoy a farm-to-table culinary experience through sustainable cuisine.

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Lane Community College

Lane Community College

: Eugene, OR

Lane Community College is one of Oregon’s best culinary schools, offering two main programs for aspiring culinary professionals: the Commercial Cooking Certificate and the Commercial Baking and Pastry Certificate. LCC’s Culinary Arts department offers all programs. The school also offers an Associate of Applied Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management for interested applicants.

LCC’s Commercial Cooking Certificate is a 1-year program designed for students wanting to pursue a career in the food service and culinary industry. It is also designed to gain in-depth knowledge about food and strengthen their culinary proficiencies.

The program emphasizes classical culinary techniques and theories, with a sequence of classes focusing on the learning-by-doing approach. To earn the Commercial Cooking Certificate, students must complete 45 credits. With a holistic curriculum, students will learn the essential aspects of Commercial Cooking, including the following:

  • Dining Room Service Skills
  • Food and Beverage Controls
  • Foundational Baking and Pastry Skills and Knowledge
  • Kitchen and Food Equipment
  • Knife Skills
  • Menu Preparation, Creation, and Costing
  • Point of Sales and Cash Registers Operation

Under the Commercial Cooking Certificate, students can already earn a 1-term certificate in Food Production and Preparation during the first term. As culinary arts majors, they will participate in a cohort that will complete classes together. Each cohort group will not exceed 24 students, ensuring personalized attention to develop their culinary knowledge and proficiencies. Since students will participate in small, exclusive class sizes, they will always address their Chef-Instructors on a first-name basis.

LCC’s culinary program will provide students with the opportunity to work in several culinary classrooms, including the Wiper Kitchen. Wiper Kitchen is the primary classroom for culinary arts majors that provides a dedicated venue for practical learning using commercial-grade kitchen equipment and tools. They will work and operate a real restaurant setting through the school’s Renaissance Room in their sophomore year.

The restaurant features Contemporary American Bistro-themed dining that accommodates 60 people and is available to the public for lunch every week for three days. Under the guidance of professional chef instructors, students will participate in a hands-on learning and instructional setting that provides a high-quality dining experience to actual guests.

Aspiring pastry chefs around Eugene can enroll in LCC’s Commercial Baking & Pastry Certificate. Students with no previous experience or individuals wanting to gain more in-depth training in baking and pastry arts can benefit from this program focusing on international delights, sweet and savory desserts, seasonal recipes, and artisan breads!

Through applied learning experience with a professional instructor, students will learn cake decoration and production, pastry production techniques, baking theories, and nutrition. They will also immerse themselves in food service nutrition, restaurant management, hospitality, and culinary. 

Students pursuing the Commercial Baking & Pastry Certificate program will complete five credits or 180 hours of Cooperative Education, allowing them to work at a local establishment to gain the necessary experience and credentials.

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Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute

: Coos Bay, OR

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute is a member of the Southwestern Oregon Community College. As a trivia, it is one of the reasons why many listings of the best schools in Oregon often have both entries when they belong to the same school system. It is similar to Cascade Culinary Institute and Central Oregon Community College. OCCI is one of the few culinary schools in the state that receives programmatic accreditation from the American Culinary Federation. 

OCCI provides students with intensive practical learning opportunities to become proficient in the latest culinary trends and techniques through its state-of-the-art culinary facilities. The institution has degree programs in culinary management, baking and pastry arts, and culinary arts. Since it is a member of the Southwestern Oregon Community College, an affordable program and the amenities that come with it are all enjoyed by on-campus SOCC students. 

OCCI’s Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts program will provide students with advanced and basic chef training and restaurant management skills. It is a program accredited by the American Culinary Federation, allowing students to gain the Certified Culinarian designation upon completion of the program.

Students will learn the fundamentals of contemporary and classical cuisine and restaurant processes. As part of the culminating requirement, they will have the opportunity to select either a distant externship or a local externship. Since graduates are equipped with advanced a la carte and garde manager cooking skills, they can work in various culinary positions. To graduate, students must have at least 91 credit hours. 

The Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Management requires 107 credits for degree completion. The program has a similar curriculum to the Culinary Arts AAS program except for the final term requirements. Completing the Culinary Management AAS program will allow students to transfer into Southern Oregon University’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality & Tourism program with junior standing for enrollment purposes.

The Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts and the Associate of Applied Science in Baking Management programs have the same format as their Culinary Arts counterparts. However, the curriculum will train students to create baked goods, pastries, and confectioneries. Students will learn how to use chocolate, icing, syrups, and sugar, preparing them for a career as a pastry chef or professional baker in a resort, hotel, restaurant, bakery, and other food service establishments.

OCCI also has short-term academic programs, namely the Culinary Arts Certificate of Completion and the Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate of Completion. Both programs require 73 credits for completion. With a curriculum that teaches broad foundational knowledge in culinary arts, baking, and pastry arts, graduates are prepared to apply for entry-level positions in various food service establishments.

Regardless of which programs students will pursue, they will qualify for scholarships and other financial aid options. Each culinary program can be completed in 18 months, depending on the student’s commitment and schedule. OCCI’s academic programs are taught by certified chefs, providing students with individualized, hands-on learning in professional kitchen settings.

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Linn-Benton Community College

Linn-Benton Community College

: Albany, OR

One of the best culinary schools in Oregon is Linn-Benton Community College. Aspiring culinary professionals around Albany can enroll in either the Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts or the Associate of Science in Nutrition and Food Service Systems. 

The AAS in Culinary Arts program is a comprehensive 2-year program based on various international cuisines, including Modern, European, and French. As culinary arts majors, they will become proficient at working or operating various standard kitchen tools and equipment. In addition to culinary fundamentals, students will gain relevant experience in all aspects of food preparation through the following topics:

  • Event Planning
  • À la Carte
  • Pantry
  • Quantity of Hot and Cold Food Production
  • Sauces
  • Garde Manger
  • Soups

Students pursuing the Culinary Arts program will have several opportunities to gain practical experience on campus, including LBCC’s à la carte modern bistro. They will learn to maintain and care for a full-service kitchen. To enroll, students must be 18 years of age since the school will require applicants to have an OLCC Alcohol Service Permit together with a valid Oregon Food Handler’s Card. Once enrolled, students must purchase their chef uniforms, shoes, knives, books, and other equipment.

One of the training facilities of Culinary Arts majors is The Santiam Restaurant. First-year students will train as waitstaff while sophomores will prepare guests with sumptuous meals on campus. Pastries, coffee, and espresso are available from 9:30 AM to 11 AM, while lunch is served at 11 AM until 12:15 PM every Monday to Thursday.

The menu will change daily, providing student chefs with the opportunity to showcase their culinary creativity through daily specials. Another training venue is the Main Kitchen, with state-of-the-art culinary facilities, including the charcuterie and butchering station, hearth-fired oven, pantry kitchen, quantity kitchen, and bakery. 

The Culinary Classroom and Demonstration Kitchen are home to several evening cooking classes and culinary arts classes for everyone. It features three flat-screen televisions and numerous cameras so Chef-Instructors and culinary students can interact freely during demos and class discussions.

LBCC’s Associate of Science in Nutrition and Food Service Systems program is offered in partnership with Oregon State University. It is ideal for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Foodservice Systems with a concentration in Culinary Arts. The program will allow students to transition smoothly to OSU to complete the final two years of the baccalaureate degree.

Linn-Benton Community College’s culinary arts majors will have an exciting opportunity to complete their culinary studies at an affordable rate through the US Food Scholars. It is a scholarship program offered in partnership with US Foods, American Culinary Federation, and Scholarship America. Through the program, two students at LBCC will be granted scholarships to cover culinary arts-related fees, including room and board, supplies, books, and tuition.

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The Kitchen at Middleground Farms

The Kitchen at Middleground Farms

: Wilsonville, OR

If you are looking for a non-traditional culinary school with a unique experience, The Kitchen at Middleground Farms is one of the best culinary schools in Oregon. It is a recreational and on-farm culinary school headquartered on a family hobby farm in Wilsonville. The Kitchen at Middleground Farms is also an event venue for celebrating connections with family, friends, or colleagues, offering a farm-to-table dining experience.

The Kitchen at Middleground Farms has a variety of cooking classes for kids and adults that will explore the essential skills in the garden and kitchen. Each class will also integrate traditional and lost arts of preserving food and handcrafting. The Kitchen will emphasize traditional cooking methods, from picking up vegetables and fruits for the winter season to exploring the basics of cheesemaking to creating a sumptuous pie recipe. Students will also learn the science behind food and basic knife skills.

The Kitchen at Middleground Farms offers two classes: Demonstration Classes and Hands-On Classes. Each Demonstration class will have a class consisting of two to ten students accommodated inside the kitchen studio. Participants will learn from the demonstration that involves processes, techniques, tools, and equipment required to create a particular recipe. After creating the recipe, they will have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the chef’s labor. The staff will serve each course while the demonstration is in progress.

In some cases, one of the chefs will allow one person to help in the kitchen and view the recipe. It is one of the best culinary experiences while learning to cook simultaneously. Each class will approximately last two hours, depending on the recipe’s complexity.

Some of the popular culinary classes offered at The Kitchen include the following:

  • Back To Basics – Knife Skills
  • Plant-Based Meals – Winter Harvest
  • Cooking Fundamentals for Kids! (8 & Up)
  • Date Night: Celebrate!
  • Family Class: Pasta!
  • Back To Basics – Sauces 
  • Two-Day Bread Baking Camp

Aside from traditional recipes, The Kitchen at Middleground Farms hosts a series of Demonstration classes, including the Winemaker’s Dinner Series. Each Winemaker’s Dinner Series will highlight an engaging and informative cooking class about Oregon wines paired with seasonal cuisine. Each demo will feature a particular brand of wine, including Argyle, Brooks,  and Cristom, with wine enthusiasts from the wine company. 

The menu and pairings will be demonstrated by The Kitchen’s chefs, discussing a 4-course seasonal menu and sharing recommendations to help create beautiful pairings. The Curator of Wine & Experiences at The Kitchen will also educate participants on the individual pairings with every course. 

Participants must settle a $50 table deposit to register for the demonstration class. A per-person fee of $145 is also billed at the end of the session, excluding the table deposit. For seating, they will attend at the Wine Barn, together with others in a group of four to eight individuals, with two chefs per group.

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Ingredient Studio

: Bend, Redmond, and Sunriver, OR

Ingredient Studio is a product of two chefs’ mission to share their passion for food in Bend, Oregon. It is one of the best culinary schools in Oregon that offers a holistic culinary experience, featuring intimate food events, private culinary lessons, and unique hands-on recreational cooking classes. Aspiring culinary professionals, home cooks, and food enthusiasts will engage in an interactive and friendly culinary learning experience at Central Oregon. Ingredient Studio also offers customized in-home cooking classes in Sunriver, Redmond, and Bend.

Private Cooking Classes at Ingredient Studio are customized classes that teach students how to cook various recipes in their kitchen, from learning how to cut fish and meat to creating handmade pasta from scratch. The Chefs will guide their students through custom-designed culinary lessons. At Ingredient Studio, emphasis on whole and healthy foods is the primary objective.

In addition to customized culinary classes, Ingredient Studio also hosts group cooking classes at the comforts of homes with families, friends, or colleagues. The school will design a menu for smaller groups in which everyone can participate in preparing all the ingredients, tools, and equipment and enjoy the fruits of their labor after the preparation and cooking processes. Interactive cooking parties are also offered at Ingredient Studio as a form of team-building for the company’s staff. Popular menu options for Cooking Parties include pastries, risottos, one-pot meals, seasonal soups, handmade gnocchi, and pasta.

A variety of single, couple, and group culinary classes are also available as gift certificates. Ingredient Studio’s shop offers these culinary classes:

  • Herb “Love Letters” Filled Pasta and Italian Dessert (Couple)
  • Cooking Classes – 3Pack 
  • Pasta Lesson (Group of 4)
  • Cooking Classes (For 2)
  • Cooking Class (Private – 1 Person)

Depending on the type of culinary class, each class is a 2 to 3-hour session. Gift certificates are also non-refundable and will expire in 24 months from the date of purchase.

For rates, a customized cooking class starts at $125 per person for a 2-hour class. However, an additional $60 per hour is billed for succeeding hours. A 50% down payment from the quoted package is required for group lessons and cooking parties. The costs of ingredients are still not included in the price.

All culinary classes will require students to purchase their ingredients, and ingredient Studio will provide a detailed checklist of all ingredients after class registration. The school will also email students the cooking equipment required after creating their customized lesson plan. Although most equipment is easily procured, Ingredient Studio will bring specific kitchen equipment students fail to have.

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Willamette Valley Kitchen Co.

Willamette Valley Kitchen Co.

: Salem, OR

Willamette Valley Kitchen Co. offers gourmet ingredients, high-quality kitchen tools, and other kitchen essentials. Although it is primarily a hometown store for all your culinary needs, Willamette Valley Kitchen Co. has become one of the best culinary schools in Oregon.

Willamette Valley Kitchen Co.’s in-store culinary school offers an intimate, low-stress learning setting for anyone who wants to learn different kinds of ingredients, culinary techniques, and new recipes. With 12 students per class, each will enjoy personalized attention and receive answers to all their culinary questions.

The Chef-Instructor will demonstrate the proper cooking and preparation of all recipes from start to finish.  The school offers two types of in-person culinary classes, including the Traditional Cooking Classes and the Kitchen Basics Classes. 

The store also offers live virtual classes for students wanting to learn at home. Each virtual culinary class will be held every Thursday at 6 PM and has a duration of one hour per class. After registering students’ preferred virtual class, they will immediately receive a confirmation email, including a complete ingredients list, grocery list, downloadable recipes, and a link to the Livestream. Distance learners can either attend live through Willamette Valley Kitchen Co’s official YouTube channel or cook at their schedule and preference.

Are you interested in signing up for Willamette’s virtual classes? Here are some of the classes offered by the culinary school:

  • Eggs Benedict From Scratch, Your Way!
  • Jerk Chicken with Spicy Mango Slaw and Coconut Beans and Rice
  • Roasted Shrimp with Tomatoes, Feta and Fennel Herb Salad
  • Thai Soup Showdown: Tom Yum Gai vs. Tom Kha Gai
  • Winter Soup Series

Each culinary class is priced at $54.99 per person, while virtual classes are $10 per class. The Traditional Cooking Classes already include the full-course meal, detailed instructions supplemented with full demonstrations, and all copies of the recipes highlighted in the demo.

The Kitchen Basics Classes also include detailed instructions with full demos, information sheets regarding the topic, and copies of all recipes. However, the Kitchen Basics Classes don’t include a full-course meal. However, bread, cheeses, sliced meats, or small servings of the recipes prepared are provided.

The culinary school also accepts private cooking classes for 8 to 12 people. It is a unique venue for corporate team-building, birthday parties, bridal showers, and other events. 

Willamette Valley Kitchen Co also offers gift certificates for its culinary classes.

Class credit or full refund will only be honored for cancellations if the cancellation is made one week before the class date. Otherwise, no refund will be issued if the class is canceled in less than seven days.

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The Kindred Creative Kitchen

The Kindred Creative Kitchen

: Bend, OR

The Kindred Creative Kitchen is one of the best additions to culinary schools based in Bend, Oregon. The culinary school has a variety of ways to learn how to cook and discover one’s inner culinary strengths and proficiencies. Home cooks, culinary enthusiasts, and aspiring culinary students can choose one out of four types of culinary classes, namely Kids Classes, Cook and Bake Like A Pro, Adults Classes and Chef Demos, and Private Classes and Parties. 

Kids Classes are a series of hands-on culinary classes for youth ages 7 to 17. The series consists of youth cooking camps, and Wednesday classes held when school is on break, covering extensive culinary techniques and theories. Since culinary topics differ per week, kids will learn through various culinary classes. Parents can enroll their kids either in multiple-day or single-day camps.

The Kindred Creative Kitchen also offers monthly kids’ night out for an evening of cooking class to have fun while learning to bake or cook. Slots for monthly classes are limited, so parents are highly encouraged to book early. Some of the Kid’s Night Out classes at the culinary school include:

  • Youth Class – Cheesecakes
  • Youth Class – Sweet and Savory Food Gifts
  • Youth Cooking Class – Empanadas
  • Youth Cooking Class – Macaroons 

The Cook Like A Pro or Bake Like A Pro classes feature classes delivered in a building block format. Depending on the students’ preferences, they can be completed consecutively or simultaneously. In a 4-week series, students will learn the basics of culinary techniques similar to professional culinary chefs and pastry chefs. The classes are suitable for professionals, allowing them to schedule classes in professional skill development. The series consists of custom-designed cooking/baking classes for industry professionals who want to practice their essential skills in a restaurant setting or individuals who want to learn new skills.

The Kindred Creative Kitchen’s Adult Classes and Chef Demos will highlight various seasonal topics that change per week. The workshops feature technique-based and practical learning with Chef Morris’ guidance. Since workshops are ideal for date nights, groups of friends, or individuals, they can be an excellent avenue to learn new culinary skills and meet new people. Some workshops at the Kitchen have wine pairings and beer.

The culinary school also facilitates Chef Demos and cuisine tastings where participants can visit the kitchen and witness culinary creations or taste some new recipes. Sample Adult Classes offered at The Kindred Creative Kitchen include:

  • Adult Class – Croissants 
  • Adult Class – Peruvian Cuisine
  • Adult Class – Tasty Thai
  • Couples Night – Seasonal Beer Dinner
  • Romantic Valentines Dinner

The Kitchen also accepts reservations for custom Private Classes and Parties. Some party options include baking and decorating cookies, making pasta from scratch, or creating pizzas. 

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International School of Baking

International School of Baking

: Bend, OR

If you are more inclined towards pastries, desserts, baked goods, and other confectioneries, the International School of Baking is one of the best culinary schools for your baking and pastry arts aspirations. The school has garnered awards and has affiliations with the James Beard Foundation, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and The Bread Bakers Guild of America.

The baking school will take students and immerse themselves in the complex world of pastry arts and baking. They are trained to follow simple steps to bake cakes, croissants, artisan breads, and other baked goodies. In the International School of Baking, students will explore a variety of proven and perfected baking techniques and fundamentals, develop their skills to become world-class pastry chefs or bakers, master the art of baking, and establish their professional network with other students. 

If you aren’t sure about getting started, enroll in the free 30-minute baking course consultation call. During the session, they can discuss together with one of the staff at the International School of Baking and identify what aspect of baking students would like to get trained.

The baking school will provide students with everything they need to become efficient and creative bakers using state-of-the-art baking equipment and tools and the finest ingredients. With open-ended support and guidance from one of the world’s best bakers, they will have expert mentorship from Pastry Chef Marda Stoliar, the owner herself, and a variety of custom courses in the field of baking.

Baking courses in the International School of Baking are categorized into six major components: Art & Flowers, Bakery Start-Up, Breads, Cakes, Cookies and Candies, and Pastries. Students are free to enroll in a particular course, with the option to complete more than one course according to their preferences and needs. The school can also customize courses to meet each student’s demands and baking aspirations.

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Christian Culinary Academy

Christian Culinary Academy

: Cannon Beach, OR

Christian Culinary Academy is a licensed interdenominational trade school with no affiliations with any religious denomination. It is one of the best culinary schools in Oregon licensed by the Oregon Department of Education’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Instead of a traditional degree program, CCA offers a one-year intensive Certificate of Culinary Arts program. The program is offered during Fall through Spring semester. The school offers work-study options, loans, CCA scholarships, external scholarships, and monthly payment plans for students who don’t have adequate funds to enroll in the program.

Students pursuing CCA’s Certificate of Culinary Arts program will participate in extensive hands-on learning while learning the basics and theories of cooking both in the kitchen and classroom settings. They attend culinary classes with a 14:1 student-to-instructor ratio to ensure every student has a great deal of individualized attention and mentorship.

They will also participate in field trips, Biblical training, and learn in an actual kitchen. Once the spring term is over, students will complete their 12-week internship program under the supervision of a professional chef. 

Students will spend 24 hours in kitchen facilities and classrooms, weekly 4-hour morning devotions and Bible study, and weekly 8-hour mini internships to complete the certificate program. In addition to coursework completion, they spend approximately 36 hours every week on school work. Since the program can be intense, students often graduate within one year instead of the traditional 2-year culinary program. Courses in the program include but aren’t limited to the following :

  • Catering & Banquets
  • Culinary Fundamentals I and II
  • Dining Room Procedures
  • Introduction to Gastronomy
  • Menu Planning & Food Service Management
  • Regional Cuisines
  • Sanitation and Equipment
  • Vegetable & Starch Cookery

Graduates of CCA’s Certificate of Culinary Arts program will emerge with culinary expertise and soft skills.

Malcolm Peralty
Chief Editor