Our Students Say It Best...

“The end of this course is very bittersweet – I have a new family here and will strive to make them proud as I venture into the industry.” – Shane “Mit” S., March '13 Culinary Arts

“PICA has world class instructors that provide students with the opportunity to learn – in realistic terms – the demands of the modern day kitchen. I valued my one on one time with my instructors as their experience and knowledge were invaluable.” – Karen K., March '13 Culinary Arts

“Thank you to all the staff & chefs at PICA. This is a wonderful school full of joy and welcoming people who treat you like family. PICA was my second home – I always looked forward to waking up to go to school here. I’ve learned so much and I’m so excited to share my skills with others. In my 18 years on earth, I have never been so happy to have chosen this school to learn what I most enjoy.” – Jessica C., March '13 Baking & Pastry Arts

“I love everything about this school – everything from instructors to what I get to work with. Being here for 6 months, I have gained new friends and many memories that will last.” – Jo H., March '13 Culinary Arts

“Coming to PICA was the best choice I made. After six months, you really feel like a family and it’s going to be hard to say goodbye. Everyone makes you feel welcome.” – Vanessa D., March '13 Baking & Pastry Arts

"Like a puzzle, I fit right in!" - Aditi K., September '12 Culinary Arts 

"After a year at this school, everyone becomes so close like one big happy family." - Sean Y., September '12 1-Year Culinary/Baking & Pastry Arts 

"I enjoyed being here at the school. I have learned a lot from my instructors and faculty staff. Thank you for the awesome year! Continue to grow as a school. You're the best!" - Jessica N., September '12 1-Year Culinary/Baking & Pastry Arts 

"My experience at this school has been amazing. All of the Chefs that I have had an opportunity to work with and learn from have been fantastic. [My] Chefs have all had an enormous influence on me and I am extremely grateful. Thank you so much for this wonderful school! I am going to miss my "Big Italian Family!" - Alexa Z., September '12 Baking & Pastry Arts 

"I have enjoyed the Baking & Pastry Arts Program immensely and am looking forward to the Culinary Program coming up. The atmosphere here is entirely positive and supportive. Thank You."
- Richard M., September '12 Baking & Pastry Arts

"Thank you for helping me take the first step in getting closer to fulfilling my dream as a top pastry chef."
–Breana P., Sept. '11 Baking & Pastry Arts

"PICA has given me a well rounded experience with skills and confidence to pursue my career in the baking and pastry arts."  –Lindsay M., Sept. '11 Baking & Pastry Arts

"My time at PICA has given me the skills, knowledge and confidence to take the next steps in mu culinary career." –David T., Sept. '11 Culinary Arts

"The students, chefs and faculty at PICA became like family. It was an unbelievable experience that I’m glad to have had." –Lee A., June '11 Culinary Arts

"At PICA we are all treated as equals no matter what level of experience we have. We are treated with respect and disciplined. We all grow together as individuals but we work as a group and get the job done as a team. Yay PICA!" - Lanna de T., June '11 Culinary Arts

"Thank you to everyone at PICA, I was helped in every way possible. I made the right choice by choosing this school. Thanks again for everything!" - Tim M., June '11 Culinary Arts

"PICA gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to create an amazing future for myself." 
–Alessandra P., June '11 Baking & Pastry Arts

"I’ve had a wonderful time here and have grown immensely in my culinary skills, truly an experience I wont forget any time soon." - Stacey B., June '11 Culinary Arts

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

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

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

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

"The Chef instructors & my class made my learning experience here one I’ll never forget. I will miss PICA.  
– Katie C. K., 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 A., Sept '09 Culinary Arts

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

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

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

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

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

"The Chef Instructors are amazing at teaching as well as making it fun." - Chris T., January '09 Culinary Arts

"PICA and it's Chef instructors gave me the skills to take my culinary career to the next level."
- Don B., 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

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

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

"Thanks again for the wonderful time and education I received here at PICA...And the gold medal winning experience!"  Magavon T., 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 D., Jan ’06 Culinary Arts

"This was one of the best times of my life. PICA combined a wonderful program with wonderful people." - Tessa B., 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 M., 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 B., 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 P., 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 H., 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 L., 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 W., 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 L., 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 D., 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 V., 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 F., 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 S., 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 B., 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 N., 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 S., 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 C., Sep ’04 Culinary Arts

"Thanks for the fundamental skills that every aspiring chef needs to make it in the industry." - Jeffery M., 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 M., 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 S., 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 J., 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 T., 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 H., 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 B., 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 M. W., 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 T., 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 T., 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 S., 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 M., 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 P., Sep ’98 Culinary Arts