The International Culinary School of Houston was founded in 1965 as the Houston School of Commercial Art. In 1978, it changed its name and joined with the Art Institutes, a system of schools with over 40 locations throughout North America. The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Houston educates students in cooking-related programs such as culinary arts, baking and pastry, culinary management, food and beverage management, and restaurant and catering management. Students gain practical, hands-on experience in the kitchen while obtaining safety, nutrition and management training. Graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in the cooking and management fields. The culinary arts program has the option of evening and weekend classes.
French chefs Alain and Marie LeNotre founded the Culinary Institute LeNotre in 1998. This school offers several culinary programs: an associate of applied science (AAS) in baking and pastry arts, an AAS in culinary arts, a sous chef de cuisine diploma, a sous chef de patisserie diploma, a culinary arts specialty in cuisine diploma and a culinary arts specialty in baking and pastry diploma. The diploma programs take 40 to 60 weeks to complete; the AAS programs feature a fast-track system through which students can complete their degrees in as little as 80 weeks. Because major courses and hands-on lab experience are offered in the first two quarters of every program, students get an immediate sense of their future career. Classes are offered in the mornings and evenings.
Founded in 1961 and providing over 140 degree and certificate options, San Jacinto College offers an AAS in culinary arts with the option of adding a pastry chef specialty. Through a combination of labs and lectures, staff and students learn and work together. Students gain hands-on experience by operating a catering program, a fine-dining restaurant and the San Jac Gator Cafe and Grill. Started in 2010, the pastry chef specialty program offers additional training in the intricacies of baking and pastry. Students in this program are taught by award-winning chef instructors and have the opportunity to prepare food in a state-of-the-art bakery and kitchen.
Houston's first non-vocational, hands-on culinary school, Urban Chef was founded in 2005. For those looking for a more casual way to further their cooking knowledge, the school offers flexible cooking classes without the commitment of a degree or diploma program. Urban Chef has ample stove and counter space for all students to cook together instead of merely watching a demonstration. Cooking and baking classes are offered, as well as special series classes and workshops. Also available is a fun date night program, in which students can bring a friend or date to class.