The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland
Known as the most vegetarian-friendly city in the United States, the city of Portland is a great place to live for aspiring culinary arts students. Located in the heart of Portland, The Art Institute of Portland is a leader in culinary arts training and education.
Attending culinary school is a great step forward in your career, and you've probably got some questions. Is there scholarship money available? How long will it take? Where do I start? Let us help you fill in the blanks to any questions you might have.
What You Need to Know
If you are interested in attending cooking school at The Art Institute of Portland, we recommend you look at the information below and see if this school is the right fit. If it is, click on the Request More School Info button, fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer any additional questions about the school, costs, financial aid and how to apply.
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland
1122 NW Davis
Portland, OR 97209
About the Art Institute of Portland
An education institution with over 35 years of history, The Art Institutes are a network of over 40 schools located throughout the United States. In addition to providing hands-on training in culinary arts, The Art Institutes offer training in fashion, design, and media arts. Providing a well-rounded curriculum that includes exposure to international cuisines and techniques, The Art Institute of Portland offers diploma programs in Art of Cooking and Baking & Pastry, an AA degree program in Culinary Arts, and a BS degree in Culinary Management.
Designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the culinary arts, The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Austin combines academics with job-related learning, effective teamwork, and critical-thinking skills. As one of the guiding principles of the Art Institute is to work with national and local employers, it's no surprise that students at The Art Institute of Austin enjoy industry-standard training and skills in the culinary arts.
Programs of Study
The Art Institute of Portland has several diploma and associate degree programs in the cooking arts.
Diploma - The Art of Cooking
Focusing on fundamental skills, the Art of Cooking Diploma from The Art Institute of Portland centers around the areas of food science and cooking techniques. In addition to studying various culinary techniques from a qualified instructor, students will learn about baking & pastry, menu planning, sanitation, and safety. Well prepared to seek employment as a prep cook, line cook, or short-order cook, graduates will have also completed coursework in knife skills, tools and equipment identification, and weights & measures.
Diploma - Baking and Pastry
Available at The Art Institute of Portland as a Diploma program, the Baking & Pastry curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for a career in the pastry arts or baking arts. In addition to hands-on kitchen training, students will learn via lectures, developing the necessary teamwork skills along the way. The Baking & Pastry Diploma also includes training in the preparation of baked goods, cookies, breads, pies, cakes, and tarts, in addition to artisan and classical bread baking. Students will also learn how to prepare frozen desserts, chocolate, and various regional desserts.
Bachelor of Science - Culinary Management
Preparing graduates for entry-level positions in the catering, food service, hotel, or restaurant industry, the Bachelor of Science in Culinary Management degree from The Art Institute is a great way to want to join the ever-growing culinary industry. A 12 quarter program, the BS in Culinary Management degree program is designed to prepare graduates to become professional managers and supervisors in the food and hospitality industries. In addition to classes in facilities design, students will learn about budget controls, retail management, research and development, leadership, and systems management.
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts
Available as an Associate of Arts program, the Culinary Arts curriculum at The Art Institute of Portland is designed to prepare graduates for employment as a first cook, line cook, or prep cook. In addition to knife and handling skills, students of the AA in Culinary Arts program will learn the basics of culinary arts before delving into topics such as garde manager, American cuisines, international cuisines, and baking & pastry. The AA in Culinary Arts program lasts 7 quarters, and consists of 105 total credit hours.
The culinary programs at AIS include classroom instruction, hands-on experience in the kitchen labs, experience in the Institute’s restaurant, “Portfolio,” and internships.
Accreditation
The Art Institute of Portland is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Faculty and Facilities
Known for being professionals in their own right, the instructors and faculty at The Art Institute of Portland provide an education that is both relevant and cutting-edge. In addition to adapting their educational strategies to reflect the current culinary market, the instructors at The Art Institute of Portland are equipped with real-life experience in the culinary industry.
The Art Institute of Portland is located at 1122 NW Davis in Portland, OR. The Portland campus of The Art Institute has been located in the Pacific Northwest for over 40 years, as it was originally founded in 1963. With a focus on real-world skills, The Art Institute of Portland is equipped with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment, and modern techniques are taught alongside classical culinary styles.
Financial Aid
Students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA and meet with a Financial Aid Advisor to create a plan for financing their education. 75% of the students at the Art Institute receive financial aid. The Art Institute participates in all Federal and State financial aid programs. Other scholarships and grants are also available, and the school offers individualized assistance in setting up a payment plan.
The City of Seattle, Washington
Home of the International Rose Test Garden, the city of Portland is often referred to as "The City of Roses." A premier destination for coffee, Portland has a staggering number of coffee houses (second only to Seattle, WA). Home to over 557,000 residents, the city of Portland is known for its temperate winters and warm, dry summers.
A great place to live if you're interested in a culinary arts career, the city of Portland is home to over 28 breweries. Known as the home of the microbrew revolution in the United States, Portland has no shortage of great food and drink to offer residents and visitors alike. Name by the Food Network as a "Delicious Destination of the Year" in 2007, the city of Portland is home to a growing restaurant scene that has been spotlighted by the New York Times.
Home to one of the largest wilderness parks (within city limits) in the United States, the city of Portland has an abundance of greenspace to offer its residents. The NBA's Portland Trailblazers call the city home, and each year the city of Portland also hosts the Portland Marathon, and the Hood to Coast Relay.
As such, The Art Institute of Portland is a great place to start your culinary career!
A Short Video About The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland
What Do You Need To Know to Get Into Culinary School?
As the Reluctant Gourmet, I have never been to cooking school, but I keep telling myself it's never too late. The best way for you to learn more about becoming a chef is to visit my new Culinary School Resource Center. Here you will find articles, books, school resources and many other useful resources.
Also, try reading as much as you can about going to cooking school and what it is like to be a professional chef. One book I highly recommend to anyone thinking about culinary school is, The Making of A Chef, by Michael Ruhlman. It will really help you understand what you may be getting yourself into. For a complete list of Books For Cooks.
