Western Culinary Institute

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Western Culinary Institute


Established:	1983
Type:	Private/For Profit
President:	Jon Alberts
Faculty:	135
Undergraduates:	950
Location:	600 SW 10th Ave., Suite 400
Campus:	Urban
Nickname:	WCI
Website:	http://www.wci.edu/

The Western Culinary Institute (WCI) is a cooking institute and member of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. The school offers a spectrum of culinary education.

The Western Culinary Institute offers two Diploma programs and three Associate of Occupational Studies degree programs. Associate of Occupational Studies degrees are offered in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Restaurant Management, and Pâtisserie and Baking.^[1]

Western Culinary Institute has been a title sponsor of the ProStart Knowledge Bowl in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The ProStart State High School Culinary Championships are hosted by the Oregon Restaurant Education Foundation and include different culinary and hospitality-focused events. Over 200 students from 34 Oregon high schools competed in the 2008 contest.^[2]

The institute is an affiliate with many culinary and educational associations and organizations.^[3]

American Culinary Federation
American Culinary Federation Pacific NW Chapter of Oregon
Association of Catering & Event Professionals
Career College Association
Chefs Collaborative
Oregon Restaurant Association
Women Chefs & Restaurateurs
Northwest Career Colleges Federation

1 History
2 Academics
3 Admissions
4 Campus
5 Accreditation
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

Western Culinary Institute was established in 1983, by two local businessmen, Horst Mager and Donald Waldbauer, as the Horst Mager Culinary Institute.^{[citation needed]} In 1986, it adopted its current name, Western Culinary Institute. The school was purchased by the Career Education Corporation in 1996.^{[citation needed]} In 1999, WCI partnered with Le Cordon Bleu so that their graduating students could get a Le Cordon Bleu Dîplome, along with their specialized associate degrees in culinary arts, hospitality, restaurant management, or pâtisserie and baking.^{[citation needed]} In 2000, WCI was the first school to offer the Le Cordon Bleu Restaurant Management Diploma.^[4] On June 21, 2005 Western Culinary had growth restrictions forced upon it due to compliance with certain regulatory requirements.^[5]

[edit] Academics

Western Culinary Institute offers a variety of academic culinary programs.^[6]

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts - Diploma, Associate Degree
Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management - Associate Degree
Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie & Baking - Diploma, Associate Degree

[edit] Admissions

The requirements for admission into WCI include a personal interview, a high school diploma or equivalent, and completion of an application, enrollment agreement and financial aid forms.

[edit] Campus

Western Culinary Institute’s facility is located at 600 SW 10th Avenue Suite 400, near Portland’s historic downtown Galleria Building. The campus includes classrooms labs, kitchens, a computer lab, a library/resource center and a student-staffed fine dining restaurant.^[7]

[edit] Accreditation

Western Culinary Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).^[8]

The Associate of Occupational Studies-Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Program and the Associate of Occupational Studies-Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie and Baking Program are accredited by The American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFFAC).^[9]