Oregon is home to a variety of beautiful parks and outdoor attractions. Many consider Oregon to be one of the best states in the country to live in. In also hosts a range of notable food festivals. Portland, its largest city, has a high concentration of excellent restaurants of all kinds. In 2007, Travel and Leisure magazine ranked Portland one of the top 10 American cities for dining. Many restaurants in Oregon incorporate dishes in their menu that cater to gluten-free, vegan, and otherwise health conscious customers who care greatly about the quality of the ingredients used in each recipe.
From Oregon’s thriving wine industry to its surplus of famous beer breweries, it’s safe to say that the local population has a taste for both quality food and beverages. Especially in Portland, foodies, beer enthusiasts, and wine connoisseurs make a habit of eating out and tasting a variety of different foods and beverages.
Locally caught, raised, or grown ingredients are preferred. Fresh salmon dishes can be found in abundance throughout Oregon. The culinary institutes in Oregon will prepare you to please not only the local restaurant and pub patrons, but people with all kinds of appetites. Portland is undoubtedly the top destination for culinary students in Oregon, but there are also options in Bend, Eugene, Albany, and Coos Bay.
Here are the top culinary schools in the state of Oregon. Each offers their own unique program that hones certain cooking skills.
Oregon Culinary Institute
This fast-paced and thorough program is designed to get students prepared for very busy work environments. An emphasis is placed on the competitive nature of the industry in coursework. Instructors have high expectations for each student as they are responsible for making sure that every graduate is employable and fully prepared to face the challenges of they’ll face by working full time in a popular restaurant.
Located just outside of downtown Portland, the Oregon Culinary Institute allows you to live in the city and benefit from all of the sights, sounds, and wonderful restaurants in the area. The Oregon Culinary Institute is a subsidiary of Pioneer Pacific College, and a result of the growing demand for culinary instruction in the area. Established in 2006, the Oregon Culinary Institute is now widely considered to be one of the best, if not the best culinary school in Oregon.
The Oregon Culinary Institute includes a job placement program for students to put their newly learned skills to work immediately. With some of the most experienced and detail-oriented chefs in the state, restaurants in and around Oregon are eager to accept OCI graduates. OCI is fully accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and offers financial aid for students who qualify.
Diplomas available in:
• Culinary Arts
• Baking and Pastry
• Restaurant Management
AAS degrees available in:
• Culinary Management
• Baking and Pastry Management
• Restaurant Management
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute is a chain of over 40 cooking institutes spread out all over the nation. Its association with the Food Network helps it in numerous ways. The International Culinary Schools are known for being some of the best culinary schools in the United States. They have an annual Best Teen Chef competition that offers scholarships as prizes for the finalists. With a uniform standard for quality expected from all facilities and all instructors, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute is guaranteed to be an excellent place to study.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland focuses on applying a broad variety of cooking techniques. Students learn to prepare a wide range of international and local dishes with hands-on help from their instructors. Academic courses are included as well to help give each student a well-rounded culinary education.
With a great location in the center of Portland, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland offers students the option to enjoy city life in their spare time. Courses are intensive though, so students will be expected to perform full time.
Diplomas available in:
• Art of Cooking
• Baking and Pastry
BS degree available in:
• Culinary Management
AA degree available in:
• Culinary Arts
Western Culinary Institute – Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Portland
Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Portland is designed to develop diverse skillsets in aspiring chefs. As other schools may focus on delivering an all-around general culinary education, this one is committed to turning each student into a distinguished chef. Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Portland emphasizes traditional French cooking techniques as well as a modern American approach.
The Le Cordon Bleu Academy located in France is the basis for the Portland location’s curriculum. Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Portland is situated in the heart of downtown. It has two of its own restaurants where you can get fast-paced hands-on experience, Cafe Bleu which is focused on lunch time customers, and Bleu, a full on restaurant in Downtown Portland.
Students in the Culinary Arts program will have an opportunity to learn about wine and other beverages, but the bulk of the coursework will deal with honing specific cooking skills and putting them into practice at either Cafe Bleu or Bleu. Founded in 1983, Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Portland is accredited by the Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the American Culinary Association.
AA degrees available in:
• Culinary Arts
• Patisserie and Baking
Certificates available in:
• Culinary Arts
• Patisserie and Baking
Cascade Culinary Institute
Cascade Culinary Institute is located at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. It has state of the art facilities with small session sizes for increased interaction with course instructors. Curriculum includes first-hand experience at the campus student run restaurant.
Each program at Cascade Culinary Institute welcomes experienced and aspiring chefs alike. For experienced chefs looking to gain some formal credentials, instructors will help the student to identify skills that need improvement and get guided practice doing so. Experienced class members will still learn the basics as part of the overall course schedule. Aspiring chefs will find the coursework intensive and comprehensive. Knowledge about the industry will be taught as well as specific and useful cooking skills.
AAS degrees available in:
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• Hospitality Management
• Culinary Arts
Certificates available in:
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• Culinary Arts
• Hospitality Management
Oregon Coast Culinary Institute
The 17,000 square foot learning facility located at Southwestern Oregon Community College includes a banquet hall, three kitchens for teaching students hands-on skills, and multiple classrooms. As one of the largest cooking schools in the state, OCCI is an excellent place to study culinary arts. It’s located in gorgeous Coos Bay, Oregon. Though the area has less restaurants to choose from for externships than Portland, it does still have a good number of options.
Students at OCCI are encouraged to enjoy college life at Southwestern Oregon Community College by living on campus and joining in on student activities such as sports and student organizations. Chef instructors at OCCI have years of real world experience and offer guidance on how to grow your culinary career as well as detailed instruction on honing specific cooking techniques.
Classes at OCCI are given in small groups and are geared toward maximizing the education of each individual student. All instructors are certified by the American Culinary Federation. Chef’s Table, the student run restaurant at OCCI provides the opportunity to gain real experience while studying. There is also an on campus bakery for Baking and Pastry students.
AAS degrees available in:
• Baking and Pastry
• Culinary Management
Lane Community College
Accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission and the Accreditation Commission of Programs in Hospitality Administration, Lane Community College challenges students to reach higher and realize their full potential. LCC is located in Eugene, Oregon. Though not as large as Portland, Eugene is a good sized city with a variety of excellent eating options.
Students at LCC get experience at the campus banquet and conference center catering special events. The program features state of the art kitchen facilities with all of the latest equipment. A wide range of relevant topics to the culinary industry are also covered in the program. Faculty members are experienced and well qualified. Students at Lane Community College receive excellent instruction for a well-rounded education in culinary arts.
AAS degrees available in:
• Culinary Arts
• Foodservice Management
Linn-Benton Community College
Located in Albany, Oregon, Linn-Benton Community College offers a two-year AAS degree in Culinary Arts. In their program, students study international cooking techniques and learn how to make a slew of vegetarian and ethnic recipes as well. The campus student training restaurant called The Santiam Restaurant gives students the chance to apply themselves and their newly learned techniques in a real life environment. Freshman students train as wait staff while second year students train in the kitchen. Pastries are served for breakfast followed by a diverse lunch menu.
The Commons Cafeteria serves as a second venue for student-made food, and hands-on practice can also gained through the school’s catering service. As one comprehensive and competitive culinary program, the Culinary Arts degree offered by Linn-Benton Community College is an excellent option for those who find living in Portland too expensive.
AAS degree in:
• Culinary Arts
AS degree available in:
• Nutrition and Foodservice Systems
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