Thank you for your interest in the Cascade Culinary Institute®.
“True culinary artists must feel, smell, breathe and conceptualize with their minds and hearts, as well as their tactile responses to create the most uncompromising cuisine.” -- Chef Julian Darwin
Located in Bend, Oregon the Cascade Culinary Institute® is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation's Accrediting Commission. Located at Central Oregon Community College Bend campus Cascade Culinary Institute® attracts students from around the world. Central Oregon is known for many things, including beautiful surroundings and versatility. Multips outdoor recreational areas and a high density of restaurants within the county provide culinary students an ideal living and learning resource. Check out Central Oregon and event links.
Culinary program and coursework are in a phase of transition from a contracted instructional delivery to individual course scheduling. Progression of the curriculum toward a new expanded capacity facility is on track. Occupancy of the new culinary building is anticipated between Winter 2011 and Fall 2011.
Cascade Culinary Institute® Certificate requires each student to earn a total of 69 credits for graduation. It is possible for students with appropriate placement scores entering fall term to complete the certificate one calendar year.
An Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Management is also being offered at COCC. Created to provide additional business and management skills for the individual interested in owning or operating a foodservice establishment, the AAS Culinary Management degree includes all of the coursework from the Cascade Culinary Institute® Certificate.
A portion of the culinary program is full-time. Those kitchen block courses that currently must be taken together include: CCI 121, 141, 151 & 161; CCI 122, 142, 152 & 162; CCI 123, 143, 153, & 163. Culinary program may begin any term, but kitchen-block courses are currently staggered with first level fall and winter terms. Advising from the Careers, Advising & Placement (CAP) Center or culinary faculty will assist students in outlining their term by term curriculum.
Culinary lunches and special event catering function as the student’s performance based learning lab. Students working while completing the program are eligible to become certified working cooks by the American Culinary Federation. Those completing the program may find positions as prep cooks, line cooks and, in some cases, sous chefs.
Regional student culinary competitions and field trips are scheduled for winter and spring terms. Recent student field trips have included locations in Napa Valley, Spain, and northwest regional food producers. Some student fundraising to defer competition and field trip expenses include a holiday dinner party for 40 raffle, holiday pie sales, special event service, and special event catering.
Cost of the program varies with residency status. 2008-09 in-district tuition, fees, texts, and equipment are approximately $8,500; out-of-district costs are approximately $10,000; including first week of first term students must purchase knives, books, and uniforms amounting to approximately $900. Out of state and international student costs exceed $14,000.
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) requires the completion of an application form and payment of a one-time, nonrefundable $25 application fee. The ASSET Placement test is required for all students taking credit courses or seeking a certificate/degree. The goal of this test is to measure a student's current skill levels in reading, writing and math in order to select the most appropriate level of courses. You can access more information regarding the application, testing, advising and registration by clicking to our Getting Started web pg..
Financial aid forms are available from the Admissions Office, as well as at local area high school and colleges. Students are encouraged to apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Approximately 60 percent of students receive financial aid (depending on their enrollment status) via culinary scholarship, Oregon Scholarships or COCC Foundation scholarships/loans.
The American Academy of Chefs, through the American Culinary Federation Foundation, offers educational scholarships to high school students beginning to seek a culinary degree, college students currently seeking a culinary degree, professional chefs already working in the culinary industry looking to further their education or get certified, and student culinary teams currently competing at ACF regional conferences or national conventions. Visit ACF for current scholarship applications.
Additional financial aid questions may be answered by contacting the Financial Aid office
.
Student housing is available on the campus of Central Oregon Community College. Students interested in student housing should contact Gordon Price in the office of student life for more details.
COCC offers a host of student services and activities including student clubs, intramural sports, health services, computer labs, campus shuttles and tutoring services.
Cascade Culinary Institute® offers a challenging, but rewarding program. Your culinary certificate awaits your successful completion of the program. With a wide range of opportunities available in the hospitality industry, you decide which direction is right for you. The “sky” is your limit!
Feel free to call me with your questions or concerns. You can also make an appointment for a tour of our facilities. I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Julian Darwin CHE
jdarwin@cocc.edu
541.318.3780