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Need help deciding which school for a baking and pastry arts program. Input greatly appreciated :)

post #1 of 4
8/19/11 at 11:33am
Thread Starter 

I am looking between AI in santa monica and LBC Los Angeles right now. I've seen some forums about this, but they were mostly all about the actual cooking programs rather than the baking programs, and I need some opinions and input. AI in Santa Monica is so far holding my interest further, because I like how much more information they provide, including the required courses and course descriptions etc etc, and because of the recent lawsuits with LBC. But I'm curious if there's others out there who have attended either school for the baking and pastry arts program and what they have to say about it? My big questions are... Which is more costly? Which provides a more useful education in this area? 

 

Any other good schools in CA with baking and pastry arts programs, Associate's baking and pastry arts programs?

I've been doing some research and been reading a lot that LBC is a "mickey mouse" rip-off school... is Ai the same way?


Edited by beccsd - 8/19/11 at 1:34pm
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post #2 of 4
8/19/11 at 10:31pm

I wouldn't say that LCB is a "rip-off". Rather, you get what you pay for. LCB (and it depends on the location) is not as expensive as some of the top culinary/pastry schools, so you get a smaller campus, less teachers, shorter classes, etc. Some people try to label it as a "diploma mill"; I always say that ANY culinary school is a "diploma mill" because they will let any and everyone in the door. There might be slackers in your class, but that is just a given. You just need to absorb all the information you get in class. If you don't, even more elite (ahem... expensive) schools are worthless.

 

I toured the LCB Dallas campus and sat in on some classes; I was very impressed. I would highly suggest that you visit each school on your list, sit in some classes, and talk with alumni. THEN, make your conclusions. Everybody has their own opinions and views, but the only opinion that matters is yours.

 

Oh and if you want a really nice program, there's the CIA up in Napa Valley!

 

(BTW, I've heard worse about AI than LCB! lol)

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post #3 of 4
8/20/11 at 2:39am
Thread Starter 

Really? what have you heard worse about AI?

 

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post #4 of 4
8/20/11 at 2:43am
Thread Starter 

And thanks for the tip about CIA, it looks like a pretty great option as well. :)

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