Bakery & Pastry Colleges in California

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts at Pasadena

• The Le Cordon Bleu College first opened in 1895 in Paris, France and then expanded throughout Europe and the United States. In 1994, the school opened its Los Angeles branch, which features a location in Pasadena. The school's Pâtisserie and Baking Program includes instruction in the baking of artisan breads, chocolate and sugar showpieces and European pastries. All students gain experience making breads and desserts for the school's 561 Restaurant, which is located on campus and is open to the public. The school participates in federal loans, grants and work study programs.

  Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts at Pasadena
  521 East Green St.
  Pasadena, CA 91101
  888-907-5222
  chefs.edu/los-angeles

San Francisco Baking Institute

• Known as the training facility for Baking Team USA, the San Francisco Baking Institute offers programs exclusively in pastry arts. The school's artisan bread and pastry diploma program requires 18 weeks to complete when taken full-time. Classes are limited to only 16 students to allow instructors to provide individual attention and feedback to all students. Students produce pastries at a high volume during the program in order to perfect their techniques. According to the school's website, students create more than 1,000 loaves of bread each before graduating. Top-performing students are granted internships with the Thorough Bread and Pastry, an artisan bread cafe in San Francisco.

  San Francisco Baking Institute
  480 Grandview Drive South
  San Francisco, CA 94080
  650-589-5784
  sfbi.com

San Diego Culinary Institute

• The San Diego Culinary Institute opened in 2000 and is a private institution in La Mesa, approximately 12 miles northeast of San Diego. The school's professional diploma, Diplome Professionel de Boulangerie et Patisserie in bread-baking and pastry arts require 1,050 hours of classroom time to complete and lasts approximately one year. In addition to learning how to make a variety of confections and candies, students study sanitation and safety requirements, and the business of running a pastry shop. To graduate, all students must complete a 160-hour internship within the San Diego area. As a part of the final exam, students each create a wedding cake and a chocolate sculpture. The school participates in veterans and vocational rehabilitation financial aid programs as well as low-interest private student loans. Job placement assistance is available for all graduates.

  San Diego Culinary Institute
  8024 La Mesa Blvd.
  La Mesa, CA 91941
  619-644-2100
  sdci-inc.com