How to Become a Chef in Oregon

With more than 9,000 eating and drinking establishments in the state and annual restaurant sales in the neighborhood of $7 billion, Oregon is experiencing steady, above average job growth in its culinary and hospitality sectors. America’s dean of cooking, James Beard, was an Oregon native and cited Oregon as the place, next to Paris, that had most influenced his professional life. Despite its floral bounty—fantastic strawberries and more than 300 varieties of truffles—it’s only in the 21st Century that Oregon has come into its own as a foodie center. That makes it a great place to work as a chef. [En Español]

Find Schools in Oregon

Requirements for Becoming a Chef in Oregon

High school graduation or an equivalent GED is all you really need to work as a chef in Oregon, but given the state’s growing reputation for farm-to-table freshness and innovative cuisine, studying culinary arts at one of its many schools can only help you obtain a position with your employer of choice.

Culinary Arts Programs in Oregon

Whether you want to go to school in Portland or somewhere else, there are many culinary arts programs to choose from in Oregon. With its emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients and environmentally aware cooking and consumption, Oregon is a great place to get either a diploma or a degree.

Certification and Licensing

In 2015, the Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema ranked Portland, Oregon, as the best food city in America. American Culinary Federation certification is not, however, a requirement in the state.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, chefs in Oregon earn an average of $20.73 per hour and $43,110 per year.

As one of America’s most socially progressive states, Oregon has just celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail and is also one of its most geographically diverse states, with mountains, beaches, flatlands and trails. By 2025, there are expected be almost 27,000 food service industry jobs in the state.

Working as a Chef in Oregon

The vast majority of jobs for chefs are in Portland, the state’s largest city, with a selection of restaurants and food carts that is considered quirky. But you’ll also easily find work in Bend, Eugene, or Ashland, whose annual culinary festival has been in existence for more than a decade now.

Popular Colleges

College Programs

 

Bend, OR Area

Central Oregon Community College

2600 NW College Way, Bend, Oregon 97703
(541) 383-7500
Baking & Pastry Arts – Certificate Program, Baking & Pastry Arts – Associate Program

Central Oregon Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Bend. Most of the school’s 6,073 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for in-district students is generally in the order of $3,627 and are $4,779 and $9,495 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively, while study materials may cost around $1,800, depending on the program.

Coastal Oregon nonmetropolitan area Area

Southwestern Oregon Community College

1988 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420-2193
(541) 888-2525
Baking and Pastry Arts – Certificate Program, Baking and Pastry Arts – Associate Program

Southwestern Oregon Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their campus in the town of Coos Bay, OR. The majority of of the school’s 2,338 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Tuition fees are around $5,847 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,500, depending on the program chosen.

Eugene-Springfield, OR Area

Lane Community College

4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene, Oregon 97405-0640
(541) 463-3000
Culinary Arts – Certificate Program

Lane Community College offers various Certificate program options for chefs. All programs are based at their campus in Eugene in Lane County, Oregon. The college has in the region of 8,583 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $4,155 and for out-of-state students around $9,483 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,365, depending on the program chosen.

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Area

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Portland

600 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 500, Portland, Oregon 97205-2793
(503) 223-2245
Pâtisserie And Baking – Certificate Program, Pâtisserie And Baking – Associate Program

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Portland campus in the city of Portland. This private, for-profit college has about 334 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The cost of tuition is in the order of $12,617 per year.

Mt Hood Community College