The City College of San Francisco's Culinary and Hospitality Studies Department offers a two semester Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate. Through the Culinary Service Skills Training Program, students complete an Introductory and Advanced Baking and Pastry course. The courses take place at the downtown, student-run restaurant, The Educated Palate. Students' food is prepared and served to restaurant guests and sold in the adjacent coffee shop. CCSF students are truly prepared for the culinary industry by studying in a real world work environment.
The San Francisco Baking Institute is the only cooking school in the nation focused solely on artisan baking. The institute offers programs for everyone from professional bakers to home bakers that want to improve their skills. Individuals may choose from a variety of baking subjects and participate in all day workshops offered throughout the week. For those looking to start a career in baking, the institute offers an 18-week Bread and Pastry Professional course.
The Tante Marie's Cooking School offers a part-time professional training course in Pastry Arts. The six-month program is designed for students who work full-time and covers the fundamentals of baking and pastries. The school also has a variety of non-professional workshops and classes for the amateur baker. Weekend and one-day workshops are offered in wedding cakes, rustic country breads and party cakes and cupcakes and the school's evening series offers a course in home baking. The school also has a one-week Pastry Camp for children and teenagers.
The Art Institute of California -- San Francisco offers an Associate of Science in Baking and Pastry and a shorter Diploma in Baking and Pastry program. The school curriculum includes all aspects of food nutrition, preparation and safety and puts emphasis on preparing students to enter the work force. The school offers courses in Management, Supervision & Career Development that teach resume writing and interviewing skills and encourage students to participate in an internship at a local business.
The California Culinary Academy is a professional culinary training school with the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu seal of approval. The school uses the Le Cordon Bleu curriculum in their Patisserie and Baking Certificate program. Because of its affiliation, the school has a heavy emphasis on classic training and European pastry production. The school also has Chef Series Classes, non-professional half-day classes in artisan baking and cake decorating.