Start Your Culinary Education at The International Culinary School
at The Art Institute of Vancouver

The largest city in British Columbia, Vancouver's booming service and tourist industries make it an ideal location for the prospective culinary arts student. Located in the nearby city of Burnaby. The Art Institute of Vancouver has a proud tradition of culinary arts training and education.
There are many questions you must be asking yourself about going to culinary arts school. How much is it going to cost? Is financial aid available? How long does it take? What type of degree will I receive? Will I be able to find a job? All great questions and answers are available.
Below is some basic information about The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Vancouver and its Culinary Programs. It should help you decide if this is a school to consider. If it does make your list of possible choices, I suggest you fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer all your questions in detail, fill you in on costs and financial aid and explain the next steps to apply.
The International Culinary School at
The
Art Institute of Vancouver
3264 Beta Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 4K4
About the Art Institute of Vancouver
The Art Institute has been in existence for over 35 years. As an educational institution, it thrives on providing students with a place to capture their creativity and transform it into a life-long career. They offer a variety of culinary programs, including both Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor Degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry.
The school's mission is to provide educational programs to best prepare students for landing entry-level jobs. This is accomplished by combining academics with critical thinking skills, job-related learning, and effective teamwork. In fact, one of the guiding principles behind the Art Institute is its commitment to working with national and local employers to deliver industry-standard skills and job training. All International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes provide a well-rounded curriculum that encompasses international cuisine and techniques.
Programs of Study
Baking and Pastry Arts I - Certificate
The first level of a 2-part program, the Baking and Pastry Arts I course of study at The Art Institute of Vancouver teaches students the fundamentals of pastry and baking. In addition to these topics, students also study cake decoration, desserts, all-purpose baking and pastry arts. Upon graduation, students of the Baking and Pastry Arts I program are prepared to seek employment in catering houses, bakeries, and restaurants as an assistant baker or pastry cook.
Baking and Pastry Arts II - Certificate
Available as a Certificate course of study, coursework in the Baking and Pastry Arts II curriculum expounds upon the skills learned in Baking and Pastry Arts I. The Baking and Pastry Arts II program also places an emphasis on coordination and teamwork, in addition to developing the skills necessary in the pastry and baking industry. With topics such as regional desserts, frozen desserts, cakes and pastries, courses are taught via lecture and hands-on kitchen instruction.
In addition to fundamental baking and pastry arts skills, graduates of the curriculum are engaged throughout with a well-rounded educational approach, studying topics such as ingredient function, profit and loss statements, and the theories and concepts of culinary techniques. Upon graduation, students are prepared to seek entry-level employment in bakeries, catering houses, restaurants, and institutional settings as assistant bakers and pastry cooks.Culinary Arts Level 1 - Certificate
Exposing students to a wide range of culinary skills and techniques, the Culinary Arts Level 1 Certificate program is designed to give students a background and basic understanding of cookery. From food preparation to nutrition, knife sharpening to presentation, hands-on training in this program prepares students for entry-level jobs such as first cook, line cook or prep cook.
Culinary Arts Level 2 - Certificate
Expanding upon concepts introduced in Level 1, the Culinary Arts Level 2 Certificate program at The Art Institute of Vancouver also covers menu development, pricing, cost control, guest relations, and other critical skills. In addition, students of the Level 2 program receive and introduction to the pastry arts, learning the basics of pastry-making and fine desserts.
Students of this program will, in addition to classroom instruction, work in the student-run Culinaria restaurant, learning to prepare modern North American cuisine, all the while rotating through different positions found in any restaurant. Upon graduation, students are well-equipped for entry-level food service positions, such as short-order cook, line cook, and prep cook.Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership - Diploma
Available at The Art Institute of Vancouver as a Diploma course of study, the Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership program is often the deal extension for students who have graduated from the Culinary Arts Diploma program, as it builds upon the fundamentals of food service industry knowledge and culinary skills. Dealing with topics such as staffing a restaurant, customer service, and food quality, the Entrepreneurship & Restaurant Ownership program focuses on understanding profit margins, and financial management. In addition to developing a business plan for a 100 seat restaurant, graduates will demonstrate technical abilities and analytical skills to any potential employer.
Hospitality and Restaurant Business Management - Diploma
The Art Institute of Vancouver is pleased to offer students the Hospitality and Restaurant Business Management Diploma program. A great choice for those with a passion for the hospitality or culinary industries, the Hospitality and Restaurant Business Management curriculum empowers students to enter the workforce with a well-rounded portfolio essential for a career in the culinary arts.
Covering culinary arts topics such as basic cookery and culinary skills, this program also exposes students to the practical and theoretical skills involved in the business world, such as budgeting, purchasing, front-end management, financial management and business plan formulation, and provides a well-rounded training in this exciting field.Culinary Arts & Restaurant Ownership - Advanced Diploma
If you've ever dreamed of owning your own restaurant, the Culinary Arts & Restaurant Ownership program at The Art Institute of Vancouver is for you. Beginning with the basics of culinary and pastry arts skills, this Advanced Diploma program then progresses through more advance techniques such as garnishing, presentation, and international cuisine.
In addition to culinary skills, students of this program also receive training in business communications, customer service, accounting, human resources, and other business aspects of the food-service industry. Graduates of this program have a solid understanding of the restaurant dynamic, and posses the skills necessary in order to pursue a life-long career in the culinary arts.Art of Cooking - Diploma
At the Art Institute of Vancouver, The Art of Cooking diploma program is a 51 quarter-credits in length. This hands-on course focuses on basic kitchen skills and food science. In addition at AI - Vancouver students will learn about American cuisine, making sauces, cooking meat, preparing vegetables, and recipe development.
This diploma program also includes training in ServSafe sanitation and safety as well as job seeking skills. Graduates of the Art of Cooking - Diploma program are equipped with the skills sets and knowledge base needed in order to become a productive member of a culinary team.
Baking and Pastry - Diploma
Available at The Art Institute of Vancouver as a Diploma course of study, the Baking and Pastry program is a 49 quarter-credit course that focuses on the skills necessary for working in a bakery. Coursework also includes making breads, desserts, and cakes. Students of this program will receive training in ServSafe sanitation and safety as well as job seeking skills. Upon graduation, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in order to seek entry-level employment in the culinary arts.
Accreditation
Registered with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Student Services Branch, The Art Institute of Vancouver is also accredited by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia (PCTIA).
Faculty
The faculty members are chosen for their experience in some of the best kitchens and restaurants around the country. The chef-instructors bring years of kitchen and managerial skills to the table, combining a love of food with personalized training. Their experience includes running local restaurants, work with some of the most renowned restaurants in the country, and even years of international training.
Facilities
Each student of the International Culinary School has access to state-of-the-art kitchen equipment. Modern techniques are taught alongside classical styles, and students are encouraged to explore their own unique methods. To increase the potential for hire after graduation, many skills focus on real-world skills.
Financial Aid
Provincial student loans may be available for prospective students of The Art Institute of Vancouver. Admissions representatives will gladly answer any questions you might have in regards to loans, grants and scholarships.
Going to School in Vancouver, CA
Home to over 2 million residents, the city of Vancouver is the third-largest city in Canada. A rapidly growing city, Vancouver, BC is nestled against the Coast Mountain Range. Surrounded by water on 3 sides, the city of Vancouver has a mild climate and natural beauty that make it a popular place to live, work and go to school.
As a student of the culinary arts, you'll discover that Vancouver has a large and diverse arts scene. With popular attractions including the Orpheum Playhouse, Vancouver Playhouse, and Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver's thespian scene is alive and well. In addition, the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Vancouver Museum are popular destinations for residents and visitors alike.
With a it's spectacular natural beauty Vancouver is home to over 200 parks, and has over 130,000 street trees. The mild climate of Vancouver means that there is plenty to do outside; hiking, cycling and swimming are all popular activities in this beautiful natural environment.
A diverse and growing community, students of The Art Institute of Vancouver will love living and studying in Vancouver, BC!
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.
Baking and Pastry Arts I - Certificate

