Oregon's culinary colleges offer a range of programs.
With the rise of celebrity chefs and increasing popularity of TV cooking shows, many people are considering a career in the culinary arts, or at least becoming interested in cooking classes to hone their culinary skills. Fortunately, aspiring chefs and dedicated food lovers in Oregon have many options for culinary training, including community college programs and private colleges.
Oregon Culinary Institute
Located just west of downtown in Portland's Goose Hollow neighborhood, the Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI) provides students with flexible career training options. OCI offers AAS degrees and diplomas in three professional programs: Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry and Restaurant Management. Classes emphasize practical, hands-on training and are taught by experienced culinary professionals. The college also has student and career services, as well as a financial aid office. For the casual chef, OCI offers a variety of weekend classes that cater to all levels of experience. An on-site, student-run restaurant partners with Northwest farms and dairies to create prix-fixe meals with as many local products as possible.
Oregon Culinary Institute
1717 SW Madison St.
Portland, OR 97205
503-961-6200 or 888-OCI-CHEF
oregonculinaryinstitute.com
Oregon Coast Culinary Institute
Located on the Southwestern Oregon Community College Campus in Coos Bay, Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) is the only culinary school along the Oregon coast. In 2005, OCCI opened a new, 17,000-square-foot training facility. The school offers AAS degrees in Culinary Arts, which includes chef training and restaurant management skills, and Baking and Pastry Arts, which prepares students for careers as bakers or pastry chefs. OCCI prides itself on its affordability, and financial aid is available. The college also has on-campus housing and meal plans available. Coursework in either program is designed to be completed in 12 months; students then complete a three-month externship. Low-cost, evening community classes are also open to anyone age 16 and older.
Oregon Coast Culinary Institute
1988 Newmark
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-888-7195 or 877-895-CHEF
occi.net
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
Formerly Western Culinary Institute, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts is one of Oregon's best-known culinary colleges. Le Cordon Bleu has affiliate schools across five continents, and the Portland school offers three programs: Culinary Arts, Patisserie and Baking and Hospitality and Restaurant Management. Students may also earn a Bachelor of Arts in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management online. Coursework for all programs includes both culinary theory and technique. Like other culinary colleges in Oregon, Le Cordon Bleu has financial aid advisers to serve full-time students and offers nonprofessional cooking classes to the general public.
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
600 SW 10th Ave. Suite 400
Portland, OR 97205
503-223-2245 or 888-891-6222
chefs.edu/Portland
Tags: Culinary Institute, Cordon Bleu, Culinary Arts, Bleu College, Bleu College Culinary, Coast Culinary