San Francisco, California
Culinary Arts, Patisserie and Baking
Background Info
California Culinary Academy is a member of the Le Cordon Bleu North America network of culinary schools. This campus is located in the Portero Hill district of San Francisco. San Francisco, CA has always been known as a foodie’s destination due to its eclectic mix of cultures and of course cuisines.
Since this is a Le Cordon Bleu school, you can be assured of the quality, both in terms of the tutelage and the equipment. The training one can receive here is up to the Le Cordon Bleu standard, and the equipment is all current in relation to modern restaurant kitchens.
Courses Offered
California Cultinary Academy offers three programs, each of which is conducted according to the exacting curriculum of Le Cordon Bleu.
The Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts program is a 60 or 84-week (total of 1550 hours) program that covers both kitchen skills and basic hospitality business management skills.
The Certificate In Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts is a 36-week (660 hours total) that focuses on training students in the classic culinary techniques that are endorsed in the Le Cordon Bleu curriculum.
The Certificate In Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking program is a 36-week (805 hours in total) program dedicated to the fine craft of pastry and bread making. Students will learn a wide variety of classic recipes and techniques in this program.
Notable Features
California Culinary Academy offers over 100,000 square feet of industry-standard kitchens, lecture classrooms, expansive student library, student-run restaurant, and more. Students will not find the inside of the school lacking in any way.
California Culinary Academy also runs one of Le Cordon Bleu’s Technique restaurants. This signature dining establishment serves lunches and dinners from Tuesday through Friday, and the kitchens within are staffed by the very students enrolled in California Culinary Academy. The restaurant features classic French cuisine albeit with a contemporary tilt.
Outside the hallowed halls, one can experience the best of the American Pacific. San Francisco has long been loved for its mild climate, easygoing street culture, and unique landscape. Plus, it serves as a hub for some of the best wines, cheeses, and produce, gaining world-wide renown for its many culinary activities, achievements, and even oddities.
San Francisco also has several unique neighborhoods that each have their own distinct style and flavor – and these neighborhoods have some excellent cultural fare too. North Beach, Chinatown, and Presido await curious minds and piqued palates.
Notable Alumni
Of the many students who have passed through these halls, most have found gainful employment in restaurants all over the country.
One such alumnus of note is Chef Chuy Valencia, who graduated in 1995 with a degree in Associate of Occupational Studies in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts. He is today the co-owner and chef at Chilam Balam in Chicago, Illinois – known for its excellent Mexican fare and admirable philosophy of sourcing local ingredients whenever possible.
California Culinary Academy,