Orange County Restaurants

Cypress College's School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management is an accredited program that offers Certificates and Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts & Pastry Arts and Hospitality Management, with direct opportunities to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona and CSU Long Beach. Their department engages students in a hands-on, state of the art learning environment, with a competitive class size of forty to fifty students (for Pastry or Culinary courses, respectively). Students learn from a variety of industry experiences, including Cypress Bistro - a student-operated restaurant experience, where they learn to provide innovative menus and delightful service right on-campus.

Tuition is estimated at around $4,000, and full-time students can expect to complete the program in as little as two years. Class schedules and enrollment are available at http://www.cypresscollege.edu/admissions-records/.

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Overview of the program(s) 

Cypress College School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, Anaheim Campus features the perfect venue for students to engage in a hands-on learning environment to prepare themselves to become leaders in the hospitality industry. Passion transforms into reality when our dedicated instructors share their knowledge and love of the hospitality industry to prepare our students for a challenging career and exciting lifestyle.     

How is the professional program (PP) unique?

Our program is not just a cooking school. We are an accredited Hospitality Management program offering Certificates and Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts & Pastry Arts and Hospitality Management with direct opportunities for transfer to Cal Poly Pomona and CSU Long Beach. Cypress College’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management engages students in a hands-on, state of the art learning environment designed to prepare students to become leaders in the hospitality and culinary industry.

What types of skills are learned and how do these skills prepare students for the working environment?

Students develop relevant hospitality, culinary and pastry arts fundamentals through our learn by doing approach. In each class, students also demonstrate desirable employment qualities including teamwork, leadership, ethical decision making, critical thinking, and effective oral and written communication preparing them for future supervisory roles.

How long is the PP?

Fulltime students can complete our program in as little as 2 years.

What does the average student spend on their culinary or hospitality education?

The average cost for culinary or pastry arts students is $4000 including tuition, lab fees and supplies. There are many opportunities for government grants and industry scholarships to help offset costs.  

Who is your prime candidate for the PP enrollment?

Students ready to learn by doing with a positive attitude, passion and willingness to work hard are most successful in our program.

How do you enroll and when?

We offer a semester based program beginning in August and/or January. Admissions, enrollment, financial aid and many student services are offered through Cypress College. http://www.cypresscollege.edu/admissions-records/

How many applicants do you receive for the PP?

While classes are full, the Cypress College School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, is an open enrollment program.

How many spots are available in the PP?

Generally, each semester cohort is comprised of 50 culinary arts and 40 baking and pastry students.

Generally, do your students enter jobs right out of school or do they continue with more education?

Students who are not currently employed in the hospitality industry gain employment by the second semester. Moreover, many of our students seek the opportunity of higher education and transfer to either Cal Poly Pomona or CSU Long Beach.

How can the hospitality industry participate? For example, how can they help the school? (Such as internships or guest chef appearances)

Industry partners can contribute to curriculum development thorough participation on our Advisory Board Committee. Partners can offer field trips, guest speak, attend career fairs and donate materials.

Is there a contact for internships?

Students are required to have industry experience as a condition of completion through our Hospitality Careers Capstone class. Our online internship and job management board, Cypress College (CC) Career Connect, is a way for our employers and students to connect. Employers who register gain 24/7 access to the job posting board, student resumes, information about our upcoming job fairs and more.  Employers can access the site at https://cypresscollege-csm.symplicity.com/employers

Are your students encouraged to stage? Why or why not?

Yes, we have had students stage at French Laundry, Playground, Blackmarket Bakery & Kali Restaurant.

If you have a student-run dining location where the public can dine, please describe it including hours and dates of operation?

Cypress Bistro is a student-operated restaurant experience where students learn by doing to provide innovative menus and delightful service. We invite you to join us on Thursdays from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM and enjoy American Regional and International Cuisines. Please contact Tracey Heine at [email protected] for reservations.

Why should the industry hire your graduates as opposed to no schooling and/or grads from other schools?

 Being located in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District and Orange County, our students begin working in the hospitality industry right away during their studies. Students create realistic career plans achievable through dedicated industry experience and supported by rigorous and relevant educational goals.