1088 college Avenue
St. Helena, CA 94574

The Napa Valley Cooking School is a professional cooking school located in the heart of Napa Valley wine country in california. The Napa Valley Cooking School is a division of Napa Valley College, which is accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools. However, students at the Napa Valley Cooking School receive no college credit for the courses at the school; as the program is designed to be hands-on. The program at the Napa Valley Cooking School is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in fine restaurants.

The program through the Napa Valley Cooking School is a two-semester course of study. Students take the following courses during the first semester: orientation; safety and sanitation; essential skills; product identification; the pantry; butchery; charcuterie; stocks, soups and sauces; introduction to pastry; and restaurant I - the working kitchen and service.

During the second semester, students take course in: wine; food and wine; food and beverage cost control; Artesian breads; nutrition; regional cuisine of America; regional cuisine of France; cuisines of the Mediterranean; cuisines of Asia; Advanced pastry; and restaurant II - Napa Valley ala carte. Students must also gain work experience at the International Worlds of Flavor Conference, as well as complete an externship. The Napa Valley Cooking School encourages all students to be paid during their externships and the school has a list of fine dining establishments in Napa Valley in which this requirement can be met. Students also have the opportunity to meet and work with chefs during special public events held at the school, such as the food and wine enthusiast program events that are open to the public.

Prospective students applying to the Napa Valley Cooking School must hold a high school diploma or GED; complete a 200-word essay on why the students wishes to have a culinary career; present a letter of reference from an employer and complete an interview with the school. The Napa Valley Cooking School does not offer on-campus housing, but can assist students with names of rental properties in the area.

Quick Facts:

The Napa Valley Cooking School has a student to teacher ratio of 9:1.

An average of 80 percent of the students who enroll in the cooking program at the Napa Valley Cooking School graduate.

Once students graduate from the Napa Valley Cooking School, the job placement rate is 100 percent.

This school profile has been compiled and updated by The CollegeBound Network. The school is not affiliated with The CollegeBound Network and shall not be considered a sponsor of this program.