Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts

Learn professional chef and hospitality services for restaurants and other commercial food establishments. The Culinary Arts curriculum is designed to give you a professional and practical experience and background with a hands-on approach in the daily operation in a professional kitchen and full-service restaurant. Learn classical skills and knowledge needed to work in volume feeding establishments and experience all phases (front and back of the house) of a restaurant operation through rotation of assignments. 

Baking and Pastry

Learn basic to advanced concepts and techniques of baking. Students will gain working knowledge of major methods such as creaming, foaming, meringues, custards, pies, tarts, cookies, brownies, bread baking process, muffins, quick breads, sugar work, showpieces, special occasion cakes, fillings, icings, mousses, glazing techniques, along with chocolate and confectionery technology.

How to Apply

Contact Us 

*Please direct general inquiries to your educational adviser
Educational Adviser
Anthony Escalera
(951) 222-8557
Anthony.Escalera@rcc.edu
Tech A 101

Culinary Program Specialist
Dawn Martin
3801 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Dawn.Martin@rcc.edu 
(951) 328-3805 Office

Cake Decorating
CE
Major Units
4
Typical Time to Completion
7 months
Program Requirements
Culinary Arts
AS
CE
Major Units
32
Typical Time to Completion
9 months
Program Requirements
Baking and Pastry
AS
CE
Major Units
25
Typical Time to Completion
1 year
Program Requirements
Foundational Culinary Arts
CE
Major Units
24
Typical Time to Completion
10 months
Program Requirements

If you are interested in technical trades, you can explore other instructional pathways in Advanced Technical Arts and Trades.

Application to the Culinary Programs

Following are the Information Workshop dates and the Online Application dates for the Culinary Arts Program. All students that are interested in the Culinary Arts Program should attend an Information Workshop. Requirements and eligibility criteria will be discussed at the workshops. All workshops will be held at the Culinary Academy Building.

For additional information please call (951) 328-3663 “EAT FOOD”.  Times and dates are subject to change. The address is 3801 Market Street, Riverside, California 92501

Requirements to enroll in the culinary program:

  • You must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Able to lift 50 lb.

How to Apply:

  • Submit an online RCC admissions application.
  • Submit AN ONLINE CULINARY APPLICATION on the specified online application dates shown below.
    • Online Baking and Pastry Online Application is currently closed.
    • Online Culinary Application is currently closed.

Acceptance:

  • Random numbering process

Class size limitation:

  • We are only able to accept (35) students.

How long is the program?

  • Three 12-week sessions (approximately one year) winter, spring, fall

What is the daily time commitment of the culinary program?

  • Mondays: 8  – 11:50 am
  • Tuesdays through Fridays: 8 am – 2:30 pm

How much?

  • Approximately $2500 for the whole program

  • Tuition: $46 per unit

  • Health Services: $20 (Fall & Spring) and $17 (Winter & Summer)

  • Student Services: $30 (Fall & Spring) and $10 (Winter & Summer)

  • Parking: $50 (Fall & Spring) and $25 (Summer) and $0 (Winter)

  • Uniforms: $311.98 (XS-L) extra fees for XL sizes

  • Black Non-Skid Shoes: approx. $100

  • Knife Set: $293.63

  • Textbooks: approx. $350

Notification of status of your application:

  • You will be notified by email within 15 business days

Questions / Workshop Schedule:

  • Attend an information workshop to learn more about the culinary program. see the information workshop schedule below: 

Due to a limitation of space, the online application criteria is based on a random numbering process, and the dates listed below are the only dates that students will be able to apply!
Duplicate applications will disqualify your application.

​No reservation or appointment necessary

Date Time Location

October 11, 2023
Wednesday

2 pm Via Zoom
December 11, 2023
Monday
1 pm Via Zoom
May 20, 2024
Monday
1 pm Via Zoom

Will be accepted on the following dates only

Date Time If Accepted, Program Begins:
October 16-22, 2023 8 am - 7 pm January 2, 2024
January 15-21, 2024   8 am - 7 pm March 25, 2024
June 10-16, 2024 8 am - 7 pm August 26, 2024

​No reservation or appointment necessary

Date Time Location
Monday, Feb. 26, 2024   12:30 pm 3801 Market St. Riverside CA, 92501

Will be accepted on the following dates only

Date Time If Accepted, Program Begins:
April 1, 2024 –
April 7, 2024
8 am - 7 pm 

Fall Semester:
August 26, 2024 (actual start date)

Summer Semester:
June 17, 2024 (for students needing to take ServSafe)​