Culinary Schools in Stratford CA

CULINARY SCHOOLS > CALIFORNIA > STRATFORD

Are you trying to find the best Culinary Schools in Stratford CA? The culinary industry offers many exciting positions such as being a Food Scientist, Personal Chef, Executive Chef or even owning your own fun Bed & Breakfast business.



From a personal standpoint, culinary schools are terrific for growing oneself. One’s ability to cook a meal not only creates self-gratifying benefits, but it also brings tremendous joy to those around you.

Aspiring cooks and chefs can take courses in high school or via vocational college programs. To be able to work like a head cook, chef, or any other culinary professional, you need to complete the formal training program. Training programs in culinary arts are available at culinary arts educational facilities, some that are two-year, as well as four-year colleges.

Stratford CA Culinary Schools






College of the Sequoias

915 S. Mooney Blvd
Visalia, CA
31.35 miles away

Phone: (559) 730-3717

11- to 13-unit certificate in Food Service, 28-unit certificate in Food Service Management, 20-unit certificate in Dietetic Service Supervisor, AS degree in Food Service Enrollment fee $12/unit for all students, non-resident tuition $118/unit





Institute of Technology Inc

564 W Herndon,
Clovis, California
45.35 miles away

Phone: (559) 297-4500

2-year or less, private program, 3768 enrolled, 22 to 1 student to teacher ratio


Chef Cooking Schools & Programs

A chef can get basic certification that demonstrates to an employer that they have achieved a specific level of culinary proficiency, while classroom and hand-on instruction can elevate a culinary career to new heights. 44% of high level chefs have a culinary degree.


If you prefer to explore certification in the culinary field, the below certificates are highly regarded throughout the culinary industry. In order to obtain your certification, you may need to have some work experience in the field, take a written exam, and renewals may be required every few years.

Certification Name Certifying Organization
Certified Correctional Food Systems Manager American Correctional Food Service Association
Certified Chef de Cuisine American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Executive Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Master Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Personal Certified Executive Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Foodservice Professional Certification North American Assoc. of Food Equip. Manufacturers
ProChef Level III Certification The Culinary Institute of America
Certified Personal Chef United States Personal Chef Association
Certified Correctional Foodservice Professional American Correctional Food Service Association
Certified Culinary Administrator American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Executive Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Master Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Sous Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Working Pastry Chef American Culinary Federation, Inc.
Certified Decorator Retail Bakers of America
Certified Wedding Planner The Wedding Planning Institute


Baking and Pastry Schools

Specific culinary programs and schools are available that focus on baking and pastry creations. Such programs are quicker to complete and offer a very specialized and valuable skill set.

How Long Does Culinary School Take?

The time needed to finish a culinary degree will depend on the avenue taken. Professional culinary degrees can range from 2 to 4 years at top programs. There are shorter options that take a few months to a year for more specialized training that are more focused towards lower entry culinary jobs.


What Is The Cost of Culinary School?

The cost of a culinary degree depends on what a person is aiming to achieve in the culinary field. Some careers such as Food Scientists and Nutritionists require a degree to have success in their field. If the goal is to become an executive chef, an official degree from a known culinary program will be very valuable. On the other hand, someone can become a successful chef by starting in an entry level position and working their way up. Experience is important in the culinary field. It's important to understand and balance the formal education along with actual experience. These two factors play an important role in the assessment of cost and overall success of someone's culinary career.

The cost to attend a top culinary program can range around $20,000 to $50,000 per year. On the other hand, there is a lower cost path to a culinary degree via community colleges and technical schools. Costs typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. Public universities are also a good option but are more expensive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 in tuition per year.