Pacific Institute Culinary Arts


Bistro101

Our Students Say It Best...

"Thank you for this wonderful experience. I am proud to have worked / learned from so many professional Chefs at PICA."  – Vanessa Chow, December 2009, Baking & Pastry Arts

"Working with all the Chefs at the Institute was a wonderful experience. Thank you to all of you for sharing your knowledge."  – Jazmin Villarreal, December 2009, Baking & Pastry Arts

"I will never forget my time spent here. The Chef Instructors have made coming to school a blast! Thank you for the education you have provided me." – Chelsea Stein, December 2009, Baking & Pastry Arts

"I’m thankful for the attentive and encouraging Chef Instructors who tirelessly lend support to their students whenever asked." – Melanie Lysak, December 2009, Baking & Pastry Arts

"Thank you for the amazing experience; I will never forget my time at PICA" – Albertho Torres M., December 2009, Culinary Arts

"Had a great time with great people in a great school."  – Hai Nguyen, December 2009, Culinary Arts

"One of the best culinary schools in the world." – Jimena Jurado, December 2009, Culinary Arts

"I learned an amazing amount of information and skills during my time at PICA, all of it applicable in the “real world”. I absolutely had the time of my life and it was more than I could have ever dreamed. So many fun time and a lot of great memories." – Michelle Stefura, December 2009, Culinary Arts

"Thank you to the excellent Chef Instructors, I look forward to an amazing career in this wonderful world of culinary arts." – Glen Roberts, December 2009, Culinary Arts

"The Chef instructors & my class made my learning experience here one I’ll never forget. I will miss PICA.  
– Katie Cullis Kuhl, December 2009, Culinary Arts

"I loved coming to class everyday and learning something new. Thank you for the opportunity to change my career and goals." - Kristen Arychuk, Sept '09 Culinary Arts

"Quality, discipline and an excellent learning experience is what PICA gave me." - Jose Diaz, Sept '09 Culinary Arts

"Loved my time here. I have so many memories to take with me." - Fiorie Walker, Sept '09 Culinary Arts

"This was an interesting preview of the hospitality industry taught by fine professionals with a world of experience." - Jack Kines, Sept '09 Culinary Arts

"The Chef Instructors made the time I spent at PICA the most enjoyable education I ever had." - Mike McLeod, Sept '09 Culinary Arts

"It is the best experience I have ever had.  Thank you for the support and trust in the students." - Odin Haberda, Sept '09 Culinary Arts

"The Chef Instructors are amazing at teaching as well as making it fun." - Chris Turner, January '09 Culinary Arts

"PICA and it's Chef instructors gave me the skills to take my culinary career to the next level." - Don Barron, January '09 Culinary Arts

"Thanks for all my chefs. You did an excellent job. I'd like to stay here with you." - Miao, January '09 Baking & Pastry Arts

"PICA gave me the quality training that I needed to be able to start my journey in the food industry.  The fundamental skills I learned will help me be successful in my career."  - Eric Yee, July 08 Culinary Arts
 
"Intense training and education for six months with a lifetime of experience from all the Chef Instructors."  - Johnny Wong, July 08 Culinary Arts
 
"PICA has been a perfect transitional and teaching tool.  The Chef Instructors have provided the most important element:  experience.  You can't put a price on it!" - Thompson Tran, July 08 Culinary Arts
 
"Thanks for a fresh start in an exciting career path.  I owe my future successes to the dedication of the talented Chef Instructors in the program."  - Kaori Pi, July 08 B&P Arts

"The Chefs and students really make it fun and exciting to come to school and learn everyday.  We are all friends here."  Curtis Monaghan, Sept 07 B&P

"Going to school at PICA was like being with family...definitely a hard thing to leave behind."  Reagan Peachman, Sept 07/ Culinary Arts

"Thanks again for the wonderful time and education I received here at PICA...And the gold medal winning experience!"  Magavon Toby, Sept 07/ Culinary Arts and First Place Winner at the BC Chefs Association HOT Competition LIVE.

 "Thank you for providing me with new skills and an experience [that] will enrich my career." - Justin Dong, Jan ’06 Culinary Arts

"This was one of the best times of my life. PICA combined a wonderful program with wonderful people." - Tessa Brady, Jul ’05 Culinary Arts and Jan ’06 Baking & Pastry Arts

"I greatly enjoyed the program and found that it was more than I expected. I'm leaving PICA with a great deal of confidence in the skills I've learned and look forward to a rewarding career. I'll like to thank the Chef Instructors of PICA for their wisdom and guidance in helping me get my career off to a great start!" - Heather MacNeill, Jan ’06 Baking & Pastry Arts

"Thank you for helping me live out a life-long dream. I have learned as much about myself and what I am capable of as I have about the Culinary Arts." - Laurie Beier, Oct ’05 Culinary Arts

"Great Chef Instructors, very friendly atmosphere, extremely helpful staff... The combination of these has made this one of the most amazing experiences of my life." - Courtney Powell, Oct ’05 Culinary Arts

"Everything at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was nothing short of excellent! The Chef Instructors have such a vast knowledge base to teach from, making it a truly eye-opening experience." - Jared Herout, Jul ’05 Baking & Pastry Arts

"I am very thankful to all the Chefs who shared their vast knowledge - it was invaluable. The course itself challenged me and enabled me to reach a higher level of culinary aptitude." - Brendon Ling, Jul ’05 Culinary Arts

"In my short 24 years of life, completing my training here and attending PICA is the best experience I've had. I have found what I love. Nothing is better than that." - Amy Wyatt, Apr ’05 Baking & Pastry Arts

"I would like to thank the Chef Instructors who kept pushing us, the office staff who always welcomed me with a smile and the rest of the staff for making this a very memorable year that I will treasure for the rest of my life." - Luis Lavieri, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts and Apr ’05 Baking & Pastry Arts

"Many people say that university/college is the best time of your life. After being there and now here, I have to say the Baking & Pastry Arts program was the best time of mine."- Alysa Downs, Apr ’05 Baking & Pastry Arts

"The depth of knowledge of the Chef Instructors, as well as the challenging curriculum has made this a truly memorable experience. I look forward to applying my skills in the workplace." - Brad Vigue, Jan ’05 Culinary Arts

"I've enjoyed my time at PICA and I feel as if my experiences here have prepared me for the next step in my career with a positive outlook." - Victor Fajardo, Jan ’05 Culinary Arts

"My training has provided me with greater confidence in the kitchen and has made me even more enthusiastic to further develop my skills in the culinary field." - Gabriel Soh, Jan ’05 Culinary Arts

"I will never forget my time at PICA. It is and will always be a very memorable experience. I have learned so much. Thank you to the Chefs and everyone at PICA for the great experience." - Fernando Botelho, Jan ’05 Culinary Arts

"The Culinary Arts program was excellent. The amount of information learned each day, although quite large, was generally put forth in a manner that was easily absorbed. The Chef Instructors were always eager to help out with our questions and concerns, and helped make the program an enjoyable experience from beginning to end." - Leo Nath, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"PICA is so generous to impart their expertise to every student not only with the kitchen training but also with the business end of the food industry. My training at PICA is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want to do my best to improve upon the fundamentals that I learned." - Marita Suzuki, Sep ’04 Baking & Pastry Arts

"Thank you for showing me I can do anything I put my mind to, and always finish what I start."- Julia Chatwin, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"Thanks for the fundamental skills that every aspiring chef needs to make it in the industry." - Jeffery Mickelson, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"I loved the small classes. It was a great opportunity to get one-on-one experience with my Chef Instructor. I will always remember the wonderful training I received at PICA." - Jennifer Mayers, Sep ’04 Baking & Pastry Arts

"My six-months at PICA has provided me with a strong foundation and base of culinary knowledge that will allow me to remain confident in my cooking skills." - Shaune Stokes, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"I will greatly miss my Chefs’ attentiveness and dedication. They excelled in making the curriculum interesting by adding personal experience, humor and recipes from their homeland." - Monique Jacobs, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"I appreciated my Training Kitchen and Advanced Kitchen Chef Instructors –two different types of chefs but both have the same passion and enthusiasm for the culinary arts." - Wayne Tzou, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"I will miss all the chefs and I thank them for all the knowledge given to me. I feel very confident in the skills given to me." - Samuel Hammer, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"I highly enjoyed my time at PICA. The overall experience was a beneficial one. The education I received and the relationships I developed will help me through my ongoing career in the culinary arts." - James Bailes, Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"Making a mid-life career change was exciting, but scary! I use what I learned at PICA everyday in the kitchen. The program provided me the tools and taught me the techniques that gave me the confidence to begin to cook professionally, as well as the inspiration to learn more and improve everyday." - Kyle Marie Wesendorf, Jan ’03 Culinary Arts

"I just wanted to thank you all once again for the experiences I’ve had at the school. I have recommended PICA to numerous peers here in town for anyone seriously looking to pursue their culinary career." - Peter Tiessen, Sep ’03 Culinary Arts

"My school life was a stimulating experience and the lessons I was able to learn will certainly be useful to me. I certainly won’t forget the kindness shown by all the staff." -Chiho Tanaka, Sep ’02 Baking & Pastry Arts

"Thank you for the wonderful education that I received from PICA. I am amazed by the amount of knowledge and skills that I acquired in six months." - Rachelle Santos, July ’02 Culinary Arts

"The time I spent at PICA will always be among my richest experiences and most treasured memories. As I go out into the culinary world I look forward to being an ambassador of your school." - Charlene Matz, Jan ’01 Baking & Pastry Arts and Jul ’01 Culinary Arts

"The education and experience I received at PICA was invaluable. It provided me with the skills and attitude to obtain a position at a respected restaurant. The combination of my excellent Chef Instructors and the friendly atmosphere of the school are first class." - Basil Pesce, Sep ’98 Culinary Arts