Which Culinary Colleges Are in the Portland, Oregon Area?

Career Info for Culinary Professionals

Culinary professionals may go into the industry without formal training and work in various positions within a kitchen to learn their craft. While formal training isn't required to work in this field, many programs are available to help hone your culinary skills and train you on the business side of the profession. Typically these programs are done at the certificate or associate's degree levels.

Certification isn't required to work as a chef or head cook, but earning a credential can demonstrate your expertise to employers. The American Culinary Federation administers 14 certifications at various levels, such as sous chef and master chef. You'll need a minimum amount of work experience to qualify for a credential, which varies according to the level you're interested in.

Outlook and Salary info for Chefs and Head Cooks in Portland, Oregon

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for head cooks and chefs were expected remain stable between 2010 and 2020, with tough competition for top jobs at upscale venues. As of 2011, the BLS reported that just over 1,000 chefs and head cooks were employed in Oregon. The approximately 700 working in the metropolitan area of Portland, Vancouver and Hillsboro earned mean annual wages of around $47,000, which is slightly above the state average of about $45,000.

Culinary Certificate Programs in the Portland Area

Clark College

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion, Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Proficiency
• Specialization Areas: Baking skills, baking, bakery Management, cooking skills, cooking, cooking/restaurant management, dining room service
• Program Length: 1-8 quarters (up to 2 years depending on course of study)
• Tuition: $110 per credit hour (WA resident and residents of bordering OR counties), $282 per credit hour (non-residents and international students) (costs for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent, 18 years old (or consent of advisor)
• Requirements: Application, fee, attendance at an orientation session, possible placement testing.
• School Type: 2-year, public; around 13,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98633
• Phone: 360-699-6398

Located ten miles north of Portland over the border in Washington, Clark College offers a variety of culinary programs. The certificate programs range from completion (3-4 classes, introductory) to proficiency (minimum 45 credits). Certificates in baking involve coursework in baking theory and practice, involving the production of breads, doughnuts, pies and pastries. Coursework in bakery management and merchandising may also be covered. Certificates in culinary arts involve coursework in food production, service, sanitation and restaurant and catering management.

Mt. Hood Community College

• Program Name: Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Specialization Areas: Culinary/catering
• Program Length: 1 year
• Tuition: $89 per credit hour (resident of OR, ID, CA, NV and WA), $209 per credit hour (for students not residing in states that don't border OR), $236 per credit hour (international students) (costs for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Students must be 18 or older
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 10,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, OR 97030
• Phone: 503-491-7515

The certificate program at Mt. Hood takes one year to complete, and the college requires that you maintain a GPA of 2.0 in order to receive the certificate. Your coursework includes culinary arts classes in areas such as soups, meat and baking. You also take courses relating to the hospitality industry, such as marketing, cost control, beverage management and restaurant operations. The last quarter of the program is a cooperative education internship.

Portland Community College

• Program Name: Certificate in Culinary Assistant Training
• Program Length: 1 year
• Tuition: $82 per credit hour (resident of OR, ID, CA, NV and WA), $206 per credit hour (international students and those residing in states that don't border OR) (costs for 2012-2013)
• Admission Requirements: Students must be 18, have a documented disability, be determined to learn and want to work with food or custodial jobs and be able to work semi-independently
• School Type: 2-year public; about 37,000 undergraduate students.
• Address: 12000 SW 49th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219
• Phone: 971-722-4305

Portland Community College's Culinary Assistant program trains students with disabilities to work in the culinary field. It involves five hours of training with staff and one hour in the classroom daily. Your coursework would include food safety, teamwork and social skills. The 45-credit program requires that you interview with the college, and you can enroll at the start of the Fall, Winter or Spring terms at any of the campuses.

Culinary Associate's Degree Programs in the Portland Area

Clark College

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Applied Technology
• Specialization Areas: Bakery management, cooking/restaurant Management
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition: $110.46 per credit hour (WA resident and residents of bordering OR counties), $282.46 per credit hour (non-residents and international students) (costs for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Must be 18 years of age or older (or consent of advisor)
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 13,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98633
• Phone: 360-699-6398

Clark College has two associate's programs in each of its specialties. The applied science program requires you to take courses in seven general education areas giving you a broader educational base, whereas the applied technology program requires you to take classes in three, leaving more room for electives. The bakery management program combines classes in baking theory with practical experience in the baking lab, which operates as a simulated retail bakery. The produced baked goods are sold at the college. In the cooking/restaurant management program, you take classes in food preparation, procurement and control. You also get experience in day-to-day restaurant practice in the college kitchens.

Mt. Hood Community College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Specialization Areas: Culinary/catering
• Program Length: 2 years (7 quarters)
• Tuition: $89 per credit hour (resident of OR, ID, CA, NV and WA), $209 per credit hour (for students not residing in states that don't border OR) $236 per credit hour (international students) (costs for 2012)
• School Type: 2-year, public; roughly 10,000 undergraduate students
• Address: 26000 SE Stark St., Gresham, OR 97030
• Phone: 503-491-7515

The associate's degree program at Mt. Hood can prepare you for a career in the hospitality industry, offering opportunities for internships to provide you with on-the-job experiences. To earn an associate's degree, you take coursework covering broad general education topics, such as algebra, English composition and physical education, along with business coursework. Topics might include classes in accounting, sales and marketing. Your culinary classes cover cooking fundamentals, beverage management, catering, meal planning, banquet operations and baking.