6 Best Culinary Schools in the Pacific Northwest (PNW)
Thinking of applying to culinary schools? Some would suggest finding a food service job in a restaurant near you and learning on the job, but if you wish to master cooking or baking skills – learning basics in school has its own advantages. And don’t forget the social connections you make at a college that can help later in your career.
The Pacific Northwest has some of the top food cities in the United States such as Portland and Seattle is home to some of the best culinary schools in the country. We’ve rounded up the top, affordable culinary schools in PNW to help you find the right program to jumpstart your career.
Seattle Culinary Academy (SCA)
Location
- Seattle, WA
- Program Costs: $10,980.33
- Additional Material Costs: $1,594.85
Accreditations
- Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation – Exemplary status
Program Highlights
- 30,000 square-foot facility
- Two student-run restaurants on campus and a pastry case
- Exhibition bakery and kitchen
- Demonstration classroom
- One World Restaurant kitchen
- GMO-free, environmentally-conscious ingredients
- Chocolate production room
- Focus on sustainability practices
- On-site greenhouse
- Completion of a certificate or degree provides 25 points towards ACF certification
Course Length
- 18 months (6 quarters) for the certificate program
- 18 months plus an additional 16 elective credits for the AAS program
Cost of Living in Seattle
- Very expensive
How to Apply
- Complete Seattle Central College’s the 5-Step Enrollment Process
Olympic College
Location
- Bremerton, WA
Estimated Cost
- Tuition Only: $3,546/year for in-state residents; $4,016/year for out-of-state residents
Accreditations
- Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation
Program Highlights
- 3 certificate programs: Cook’s Helper (CC), Lead Cook (CS) and Prep Cook (CC)
- Sous Chef: Associate in Technical Arts (ATA) program
- Student-run Olympic Café on campus
Course Length
- At least 6 quarters for ATA program
- 2-3 quarters for CC programs
- 4-6 quarters for CS programs
Cost of Living in Bremerton
- Expensive
How to Apply
Cascade Culinary Institute
Location
- Bend, OR
Estimated Cost
- Tuition Only (In District): $10,956-$19,110
- Tuition Only (In-State and Oregon Border State): $13,735- $21,655
- Tuition Only (Out of State): $25,975-$34,439
- Additional Costs: $1,500
Accreditations
- Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation – Exemplary status
Program Highlights
- 3 Associate of Applied Science Degrees (AAS): Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management
- 3 Certificate programs: Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management
- Most courses are 70% hands-on, 30% history.
Course Length
- 7 terms for most AAS programs
- 4 terms for most Certificate programs
Cost of Living in Bremerton
- Moderate
How to Apply
Bellingham Technical College
Location
- Bellingham, WA
Estimated Cost
- Tuition Only: $9,565/year on average
- Additional Costs: $5,375/total
Accreditations
- Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation – Exemplary status
Program Highlights
- 3 Associate of Applied Science Degrees (AAS): Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management
- 3 Certificate programs: Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management
- Most courses are 70% hands-on, 30% history.
- State-of-the-art kitchens
- Award-winning faculty
Course Length
- 7 quarters for AAS programs
- 7 quarters for AAS-T programs
- 3 quarters for Certificate programs
Cost of Living in Bellingham
- Moderate
How to Apply
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Location
- Kirkland, WA
Estimated Cost
- Culinary Arts: $13,809 (AAS); $5,579 (CERT)
- Baking Arts: $13,947 (AAS); $2,928 (CERT)
Accreditations
- Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation
Program Highlights
- 2 programs: Culinary Arts and Baking Arts.
- On-campus restaurant: Chef City Grill
- Student-run bakery
Course Length
- 6 quarters for AAS programs
- 3 quarters for CERT programs
Cost of Living in Bremerton
- Expensive
How to Apply
Oregon Culinary Institute
Location
- Portland, OR
Estimated Cost
- AOS degree: $32,850
- Diploma: $18,405
Accreditations
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Program Highlights
- 2 programs: Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry.
- The only locally owned and operated culinary school in Portland.
- Student-run restaurant that’s open to the public.
Course Length
- Culinary Arts – Hospitality Management (AOS degree): 64 weeks
- Culinary Arts Diploma: 32 weeks (weekdays); 56 weeks (weekends only)
- Baking & Pastry – Hospitality Management (AOS degree): 64 weeks
- Baking & Pastry Diploma: 32 weeks (weekdays); 48 weeks (weekends only)
Cost of Living in Portland
- Expensive
How to Apply
Shilpi Gupta is the founder of Edizeven – a job portal for restaurants. She is a self-proclaimed startup addict. After spending nearly a decade at Amazon, she ran a food business called Kukree before launching her current venture Edizeven.
