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Culinary school in San Francisco, California

20 culinary programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

6 schools offer these culinary arts programs with classes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Chefs and head cooks run the daily food preparation in restaurants and other places that serve food. Most start with a high school diploma and kitchen experience; some go through a culinary program at a community college, technical school or culinary school, and others learn in an apprenticeship.1

In San Francisco, 6 of the 20 programs take students without a high school diploma, 7 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 7 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 20 programs here are culinary arts certificate or diploma (7 programs), baking and pastry certificate or diploma (6 programs), baking and pastry (associate degree, 3 programs), cooking and kitchen job training (2 programs), and 2 more of one other kind.

See the 20 programs

All 73 culinary programs in California, including online programs

How much does culinary school cost in San Francisco?

Certificates and short courses (15 programs)
$782 to $2,125most of them, usually 17 to 50 weeks long
Two-year degrees (5 programs)
$2,760most of them, usually 64 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
28 to 52 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in San Francisco may also offer culinary school. How these figures are made

Is there free culinary school in San Francisco?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 20 culinary programs in San Francisco approved for WIOA funding

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20 programs

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaHybridNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts

    JobTrain

    Menlo Park

    No diploma needed

    JobTrain, Menlo ParkCulinary arts certificate or diplomaHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$15,000
    Price if you pay yourself$8,000
    Program website, Culinary Arts at JobTrain
    More details about Culinary Arts at JobTrain
    Finished
    88%
    Working at 6 months
    37%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,754
    Length
    11 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    77
    Earned a year, estimated
    $15,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,000
    Program website, Culinary Arts at JobTrain

  • Cooking and kitchen job trainingIn personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Skills Training

    Self Help for the Elderly

    San Francisco

    No diploma needed

    Self Help for the Elderly, San FranciscoCooking and kitchen job trainingIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$35,300
    Price if you pay yourself$3,000

    11 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Culinary Skills Training at Self Help for the Elderly
    Finished
    85%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,834
    Length
    6 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,300
    Students counted
    11
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,000
    students trained with WIOA funding
    11

  • Cooking and kitchen job trainingIn personNo diploma needed

    Single course: CULIN 203 Introduction to Baking

    Laney College

    Oakland

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Laney College, OaklandCooking and kitchen job training · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$184
    School website, Single course: CULIN 203 Introduction to Baking at Laney College
    More details about Single course: CULIN 203 Introduction to Baking at Laney College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 2 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $60
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $184
    School website, Single course: CULIN 203 Introduction to Baking at Laney College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Accomplishment

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$552
    Program website, CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Accomplishment at Diablo Valley College
    More details about CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Accomplishment at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,270
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $552
    Program website, CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Accomplishment at Diablo Valley College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Certificate of Proficiency: Cooking

    Laney College

    Oakland

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Laney College, OaklandCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$736
    Program website, Certificate of Proficiency: Cooking at Laney College
    More details about Certificate of Proficiency: Cooking at Laney College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $866
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $736
    Program website, Certificate of Proficiency: Cooking at Laney College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Cert. of Accomplishment Culinary Arts: Basic Food Service

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Contra Costa College, San PabloCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$782
    School website, Cert. of Accomplishment Culinary Arts: Basic Food Service at Contra Costa College
    More details about Cert. of Accomplishment Culinary Arts: Basic Food Service at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $377
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $782
    School website, Cert. of Accomplishment Culinary Arts: Basic Food Service at Contra Costa College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Achievement

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,518
    Program website, CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Achievement at Diablo Valley College
    More details about CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Achievement at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,112
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,518
    Program website, CULN: Baking and Pastry Certificate of Achievement at Diablo Valley College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Culinary Arts and Hospitality Certificate of Achievement

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,550
    More details about Culinary Arts and Hospitality Certificate of Achievement at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    54 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $900
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,550

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CULN: Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,564
    Program website, CULN: Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement at Diablo Valley College
    More details about CULN: Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,344
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,564
    Program website, CULN: Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement at Diablo Valley College

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Preparation & Restaurant Training

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Contra Costa College, San PabloCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,702
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Preparation & Restaurant Training at Contra Costa College
    More details about Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Preparation & Restaurant Training at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $561
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,702
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Preparation & Restaurant Training at Contra Costa College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement Program

    Laney College

    Oakland

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Laney College, OaklandBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,024
    Program website, Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement Program at Laney College
    More details about Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement Program at Laney College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,400
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,024
    Program website, Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement Program at Laney College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement

    Laney College

    Oakland

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Laney College, OaklandBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,125
    Program website, Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement at Laney College
    More details about Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement at Laney College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,400
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,125
    Program website, Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Certificate of Achievement at Laney College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry and Baking Skills

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Contra Costa College, San PabloBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,208
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry and Baking Skills at Contra Costa College
    More details about Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry and Baking Skills at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $743
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,208
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry and Baking Skills at Contra Costa College

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personPrerequisite courses

    AS Degree Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Prep & Restaurant Training

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Contra Costa College, San PabloCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    School website, AS Degree Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Prep & Restaurant Training at Contra Costa College
    More details about AS Degree Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Prep & Restaurant Training at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $686
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    School website, AS Degree Culinary Arts: Classical/Modern Food Prep & Restaurant Training at Contra Costa College

  • Baking and pastry (associate degree)In personPrerequisite courses

    AS Degree Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry & Baking Skills

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Contra Costa College, San PabloBaking and pastry (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    School website, AS Degree Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry & Baking Skills at Contra Costa College
    More details about AS Degree Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry & Baking Skills at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,135
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    School website, AS Degree Culinary Arts: Training in Pastry & Baking Skills at Contra Costa College

  • Culinary arts (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CULN: Hospitality Studies -AS degree in Culinary Arts

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillCulinary arts (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    Program website, CULN: Hospitality Studies -AS degree in Culinary Arts at Diablo Valley College
    More details about CULN: Hospitality Studies -AS degree in Culinary Arts at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,312
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    Program website, CULN: Hospitality Studies -AS degree in Culinary Arts at Diablo Valley College

  • Baking and pastry (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CULN: Hospitality Studies- Baking and Pastry - Associate in Science degree

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillBaking and pastry (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    Program website, CULN: Hospitality Studies- Baking and Pastry - Associate in Science degree at Diablo Valley College
    More details about CULN: Hospitality Studies- Baking and Pastry - Associate in Science degree at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,617
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    Program website, CULN: Hospitality Studies- Baking and Pastry - Associate in Science degree at Diablo Valley College

  • Baking and pastry (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Associate in Sciences

    Laney College

    Oakland

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Laney College, OaklandBaking and pastry (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,861
    Program website, Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Associate in Sciences at Laney College
    More details about Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Associate in Sciences at Laney College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,688
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,861
    Program website, Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Associate in Sciences at Laney College

  • Baking and pastry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Baking and Pastry Certificate of Completion

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoBaking and pastry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Baking and Pastry Certificate of Completion at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

  • Culinary arts certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Culinary Arts Basic Training Certificate of Completion

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoCulinary arts certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Culinary Arts Basic Training Certificate of Completion at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    9 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

How to pay for culinary school in San Francisco

WIOA funding can pay for culinary school in San Francisco

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for culinary school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for culinary school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in San Francisco

How culinary school compares with the rest of food and hospitality across California: Culinary and hospitality programs in California

Where the San Francisco culinary arts program numbers come from

Which San Francisco culinary arts programs are on this list?

These are the culinary arts programs with classes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the California page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of San Francisco culinary arts programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about culinary school in San Francisco

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chefs and Head Cooks
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List