School and Ranking Information
Quite a few schools in the greater Pasadena area offer degrees in restaurant and catering management, including some for-profit colleges and a few community and technical colleges. Based on programs, student services and rankings, the following school is considered the best in the area for restaurant and catering management degrees:
- Winner: Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), which is located about 20 miles from Pasadena, is one of the only public, non-profit colleges in the area offering degrees in restaurant and catering management.
School Info Chart
| Category | Mt. San Antonio College |
|---|---|
| Rankings | Largest, single-campus community college district in California* |
| Location | Walnut, CA |
| School Type | 2-year, public |
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2013-14) | $1,346 (in-state); $7,422 (out of state)** |
| Restaurant and Catering Management Degrees Offered | Associate's, Certificate** |
| Restaurant and Catering Management Degrees Awarded (all levels) in (2012-13) | 7** |
| Most Popular Restaurant and Catering Management Degree Level in 2012-13 | Certificate** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2007 Entering Class | 29%** |
| Noteworthy | Students prepare to take the ServSafe exam* |
Sources: *Mt. San Antonio College, **NCES College Navigator
Mt. San Antonio College
- Associate's program includes hospitality work experience opportunity
- Students can join the Hospitality Management Club
- Two culinary students won first and second place, respectively, at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition
The Hospitality and Restaurant Management program at Mt. SAC provides classroom education and hands-on experience to students interested in food service industry leadership roles. As students work toward an A.S. degree, they may also earn certificates in catering and restaurant management. Some courses include sanitation and food safety, planning menus, managing dining room service, financial accounting, commercial food preparation and hospitality law.
The Restaurant Management - Level I Certificate is specifically geared toward students who wish to work in restaurants. In the Hospitality: Restaurant Management - Level II Certificate program, students learn more advanced skills for manager-trainee careers. The Catering Certificate program trains students explicitly for employment in catering businesses and banquet halls. Skills emphasized include planning menus, preparing food, dining room service and managing catering. Other courses include introduction to hospitality, sanitation and food safety, food science principles and basic cooking.
