New Students

Welcome New Cascade Culinary Institute Students!

CUL 119 Elevation Restaurant Kitchen in action.Cascade Culinary Institute does not require a separate application from Central Oregon Community College. Apply Now!

Start Date
It is highly recommended that new students start their program at Cascade Culinary Institute in the Fall term for the most efficient class progression. Students start in the fall and move through classes together as a cohort.

Many classes are only offered in certain terms, and a fall start will ensure that you are taking classes in the best order. A Winter or Spring term start is not recommended for Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts students as classes are very limited out of sequence.

Capacity of Program

Cascade Culinary Institute has room for a limited number of students for the Fall 2024-25 cohort for the following programs:

  • Baking and Pastry AAS or Certificate
  • Culinary Arts AAS or Certificate
  • Hospitality Management AAS or Certificate

In 2023-24, Cascade Culinary Institute experienced an enrollment increase and surge in demand. To keep the number of people in the building as well as equipment/lab space resources at a sustainable level, we are limiting numbers carefully for next year. Please note:

  • Capacity in classes, and therefore the program, is limited. It is recommended that Fall 2024 cohort students register in classes as early as possible (The first opportunity for new student registration is May 13, 2024 according to the COCC Academic Calendar)
  • Once you are enrolled in the CUL 102 Food Safety and Sanitation Course, CUL 104 Culinary Math, and CUL 110 or BAK 110 (Foundations I lab class), you are considered to be “in” the fall 2024-25 Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts AAS or certificate cohort. Students should also register for WR 121Z or BA 214 Business Communications.
  • If demand continues to be high in the summer of 2024, it is likely that CCI will add a separate application for the following 2025-26 academic year.
  • Hospitality Management students will be taking many of their classes from the Business Department (BUS prefix courses) and have more flexibility for a midyear start, although Fall is still the recommended entry point.

Fall Introductory Meeting
In early September, look for information in your COCC email regarding an optional introductory meeting at Cascade Culinary Institute for new students. The meeting is held on the Friday before classes begin. The details and a time will be announced to enrolled students in September.

Advising
For your first term, the CAP Services Office (Career services – Academic advising – Personal counseling) will serve as your advisor and make sure you are signed up for Bobcat Welcome and Bobcat Advising and Registration. They will lift your advising hold and assist you with class advising/registration. They will also help with any transfer credit questions. Please call 541-383-7200 for an appointment.

You will later be assigned a full-time faculty advisor at Cascade Culinary Institute. During the summer, CAP services is the advisor for all students as faculty are off-contract.

Transfer Students

  • If you have already completed a different degree at a regionally accredited institution, it is likely that you will be able to transfer your college-level math class and writing class and have them apply to your degree at Cascade Culinary Institute. An advisor will be able to confirm after your transfer credit has been evaluated at COCC Admissions and Records.
  • Plan to send your transcripts to COCC as soon as possible.

Catalog Information for Cascade Culinary Institute Programs
See the sample plans, which detail the typical class progression, in the Central Oregon Community College catalog.

Campus Tours
Sign up for a COCC campus tour through our Admissions Department. Let them know that you want to see Cascade Culinary Institute’s Jungers Culinary Building.

Uniforms
Students are expected to obtain the culinary uniform by the first week of school, and wear the uniform on the first day of the term, if possible. See Uniform Standards. The COCC bookstore for information. See Julia Dumas in the COCC Bookstore for questions about uniform or knife kit purchases.

Knife Kit

CCI students will need to obtain a knife kit or pastry/knife kit. Kits are available through the COCC Bookstore. If you already have your own high quality knife set, plan to get it approved by your Culinary Foundations I Chef Instructor during the first week of classes.

Dual Degree Students

Students who know from the start that they want to pursue both the Culinary AAS or Certificate and Baking and Pastry AAS or Certificate should enroll in both CUL FND I and BAK FND I lab courses and only need one knife or pastry kit (not both. A few additional tools might be needed later).

Veterans
Veterans should contact Veterans Services and work with both the Veterans Program Coordinator and Veterans Certifying Official.

COCC Residence Hall

  • COCC’s on-campus housing, Wickiup Hall, is directly adjacent to Cascade Culinary Institute and is a great option!
  • Note that some CCI classes can meet at times that are earlier or later than what is served by city bus transportation.

Financial Aid
See the COCC Financial Aid office for information.
Plan to apply to FAFSA or ORSAA. See also other grants including the Oregon Promise Grant and Oregon Tribal Grant.
Consider applying to the COCC Foundation Scholarship. Elevation Restaurant, CCI Bakery Kiosk, and the Shirley Ray Food Truck tips get directed to scholarships within the approximately 400 COCC Foundation Scholarships (that have a single application).

Summer Information

  • Cascade Culinary Institute is closed for the summer term. Please check our website for Community Education classes and Youth Camp offerings.
  • Faculty will return to campus in the fall.