FAQ

With over 3000 alumni, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts is represented in some of the world’s finest restaurants, hotels and resorts, wineries, and food businesses. Our grads can be found as far away as Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, New York, Chicago, Manilla, London, Barcelona, Toronto, and as close to home as Vancouver and Whistler, with everywhere in between. You’ll find our alumni, at 3 Michelin restaurants like Alinea and Eleven Madison, at award winning top bakeries such as Dominque Ansel and Thomas Haas, and luxury hotel and resorts such as the Dorchester in London, the FourSeasons, Ritz Carlton and the Mandarin Oriental just to name a few.

‍

Yes, you can! Our professional programs are designed to be fast-paced, intensive and immersive to equip our graduates with skills and training to prepare them for exciting careers in the growing culinary and hospitality industries.

Working as a professional chef takes hard work and dedication. Successful chefs continue to learn after graduation. Experimenting with food and recipes and practicing their techniques. A professional chef can be a rewarding career.

Potential students who are 18 and younger must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Candidates who are 19 years of age or older may apply as a mature student. All applicants must be able to read, write, and communicate in the English language. And of course, you must have a desire for the knowledge and skills to become the best you can be!

We offer four convenient start dates for our Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts per year: Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. Flexible AM and PM schedules are available for many of our start dates.

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts is conveniently located in a very safe and central area near downtown Vancouver. A wide variety of nearby housing options close to main transit stations are available. Please speak to your Admissions Advisor for more details.

‍

There are many exciting paths for graduates of the Culinary Arts Diploma Program. You may choose to work cooking in a restaurant, at a catering company, or as a personal or private chef once you’ve gained some experience. Some students also choose to work as a food stylist, recipe developer, or food writer. You might even choose to open your own restaurant!

‍

Culinary skills can be learned. It helps to have a passion for cooking and food, a curious nature, and commitment.

Applicants must submit a non-refundable application fee. The application fee for Domestic students is $150.00 and for International Students, the application fee is$550. Upon acceptance, students secure their enrolment by submitting a tuition deposit and payment for uniforms and shoes with their Admissions Application.

Absolutely! We offer free job-search training and employment placement assistance service of each of our graduates. Every one of our students is provided with job-search training skills ranging from interviewing techniques, resume writing to portfolio building and more. Whether you graduated a month ago or a decade ago, we’re here to help you succeed.

We have a professional diploma program that will set you on the path to becoming a pastry chef. Upon graduation, with real-world experience, you will be able to work towards the goal of becoming a pastry chef.

You’ll be learning in one of our eight professional kitchen-classrooms with less than 14 of your fellow classmates. This is one of the lowest class ratios in Canada and allows for a truly personalized training experience for every student.

Our student body is comprised of everyone from recent high school graduates to mid-career changers with one thing in common - a passion for and curiosity about food!

Apart from Canada and the United States, your classmates will hail from all over the world. You may meet students from:Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, China, Columbia, Dominican Republic, ElSalvador, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, India,Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines,Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, the United ArabEmirates… and more!

With the diverse student body, our kitchens to become a virtual melting pot of cultures. Learning from one another enhances students’ experiences even further in such a cosmopolitan environment.

‍

You can apply for our professional diploma programs up to one year in advance. Due to our small class sizes, our programs tend to fill up quickly. We advise that you complete the application process early once you’ve decided on your preferred start day. After you’ve registered and have paid for your seat deposit, your seat is confirmed and reserved. You can contact our Admissions team for more details including financing options.