About the Professional Culinary Institute
After years in the culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, wine, and hospitality industries, the founders of the Professional Culinary Institute wanted to create the perfect culinary school for training great chefs, sommeliers, and hospitality professionals. Together we created America's premier food service and hospitality school. PCI is located in Campbell, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, to give our students easy access to all things food and wine.
We believe in:
- Personalized, hands-on instruction and mentoring
- Practical, focused curriculum
- Very small class sizes
- Providing the highest-quality traditional and non-traditional culinary, wine, and hospitality training
State-of-the-Art Facility
First we designed and constructed a brand new state-of-the-art facility to reflect the culinary industry of today and tomorrow:
- Gleaming kitchens and bakeshops with modern equipment and a station for every student.
- Computer labs with up-to-the-minute hotel and restaurant management software.
- A specialized wine-tasting classroom with up-lit tabletops and specially designed spotlights to reveal the hue, clarity, and brilliance of the wine you will taste.
World-Class Instructors
Then we assembled a world-class staff of culinary and wine industry heavy hitters, including Certified Master Pastry Chef Bo Friberg, renowned Master Chef Udo Prambs, Certified Master Baker Stephany Buswell, and Master Sommeliers Catherine Fallis, David Glancy, and Alan Murray.
Industry-Specific Curriculum
Finally, we streamlined our curriculum to better serve the needs of the modern culinary professional, and created a new way of teaching. We developed the unique Artisense™ method of culinary instruction: explanation, demonstration, and execution. The Artisense method allows students to use all of their senses to learn and retain techniques and information faster and more effectively than the traditional lecture approach. Hear it, see it, smell it, taste it before you execute a technique or recipe.
Real-World Focus
Each student has a different career path and a different set of skills and interests. By working closely with students, chefs and instructors are able to steer each student to events and opportunities that match their path to give students relevant exposure and hands-on professional experience. Because of our focused curriculum and these real-world opportunities, PCI grads enter the workforce in as little as six months, ready to work. We provide life-long job placement support for all of our graduates, who enjoy some of the best job placements of any culinary school in the country.
Unique Wine Program
With the guidance of Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator David Glancy, we have created the world's first Certified Sommelier Program to be approved by the Court of Master Sommeliers. This course prepares you to take the Certified Sommelier Examination, given by the Court of Master Sommeliers on site at PCI.
Hotel and Restaurant Management Program
Our hospitality management degree program combines the European philosophies of impeccable service and hands-on training with the most up-to-the-minute industry technologies. The program incorporates our award-winning culinary and wine education programs, giving our students the most well-rounded education available.
Join Us
We are extremely proud of the Professional Culinary Institute. It is our belief that we have created the perfect recipe for success, providing you with the skills and expertise necessary to guide you toward the job of your dreams.
If you are interested in a career in the culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, wine industry, or hospitality management arena, we invite you to share in our vision. Schedule a tour, join us for an open house, or speak with an admissions representative to find out more about what PCI has to offer you.
