West Coast Cuisine Styles: California's Culinary Arts Schools

California boasts the sixth-largest economy in the world--if it were a separate country, it would be one of the most powerful. As one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse places on earth, California is a gigantic culinary cornucopia and can be a fascinating place to pursue a culinary career in various industries from catering to hotel and restaurant management.

California's Culinary Climate: Distinct Tastes

California's cultural diversity gave birth to "fusion" cuisine, blending tastes from Mexico and the Pacific Rim to create innovative new dishes. Local produce such as avocados, figs and artichokes, less common in the rest of the U.S., make for a distinctive California flavor.

California is home to more than 36 million people and has 17 cities with a population of 200,000 or more, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the capital, Sacramento. Because these areas are so desirable, salaries and cost of living are typically much higher than the national average. Los Angeles is half again as expensive as the rest of the country; San Diego's cost of living is 47 percent higher and Sacramento's, 11 percent above the national average.

Getting career training in the culinary arts can pave the way for you to take advantage of California's expansive tourist and restaurant industry and unique cuisine styles.

Launching Your California Culinary Arts Career

California has numerous culinary arts schools that provide training and experience in the local industry. The career training you receive from traditional cooking methods to organizational techniques, business management to nutritional science can open the doors to positions in catering, hotel and restaurant management, and more.

The hard work you dedicate to your career training can translate to rewarding salaries in a number of different careers. For example, in Los Angeles, restaurant managers can earn between $42,000 and $62,000 per year. Other positions such as executive chefs and catering managers can earn between $64,000 and $97,000 and $40,000 and $55,000, respectively.

If you're looking for that laid back West Coast vibe, challenging culinary styles, and numerous career opportunities, then consider completing an education at a California culinary arts school.

Featured Schools

Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America can prepare you for an exciting career in foodservice.

Campus Locations:

Hyde Park

Programs:

Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts Management

The Art Institutes

Develop your portfolio at The Art Institutes, and get a competitive advantage.

Campus Locations:

North Hollywood
San Bernardino
Henderson
San Francisco
Santa Monica
Sunnyvale
San Diego
Santa Ana
Sacramento

Programs:

Culinary Arts (AS)
Culinary Arts (D)

Le Cordon Bleu Schools of North America

Bring Your Fire to the Plate. Le Cordon Bleu. Learn the Way.

Campus Locations:

Pasadena
San Francisco
Scottsdale
Orlando
Portland

Programs:

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland - 12 Month Certificate in Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles - Associate Degree in Culinary Arts 84 Weeks