Institute of Culinary Education

4.3
(27 reviews)
Last updated: May 23, 2025
Website
626-345-6601
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About The Business

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is a renowned culinary institution offering a wide range of programs and classes. Located in Pasadena, California, the campus serves students pursuing both professional culinary careers and individuals seeking recreational cooking experiences. The school provides comprehensive training across various disciplines, including culinary arts, pastry and baking, and restaurant management, designed to prepare students for diverse roles in the food industry.

Beyond its professional programs, ICE offers an extensive calendar of recreational cooking classes and events open to the public. These classes cover a vast array of cuisines, techniques, and themes, catering to different interests and skill levels from beginner to advanced. Offerings include single-session hands-on classes focusing on specific dishes or skills, multi-session courses for deeper dives, date night classes, and demonstration-style sessions. The school also hosts private events, corporate team building activities, and classes for kids and teens.

Classes at ICE are taught by experienced instructors, many of whom are professional chefs and certified culinary educators with real-world industry experience. The school emphasizes hands-on learning in state-of-the-art kitchens, allowing students to practice techniques and prepare dishes under expert guidance. The curriculum is designed to be practical and engaging, whether the goal is a career change or simply learning new skills for home cooking and entertaining.

Location & Hours

Institute of Culinary Education

521 E Green St, Pasadena, 91101

626-345-6601

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Hours
Mon
9AM-7PM
Tue
9AM-7PM
Wed
9AM-7PM
Thu
9AM-7PM
Fri
9AM-7PM
Sat
9AM-5PM
Sun
Closed

Additional Information

Class types:

Professional culinary program, Corporate events, Team-building, Multi-session course, Date night, Couples

Age groups:

Kids, Teens, Adults

Skill level:

Beginner, Advanced, All levels

Class themes:

Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Spanish, Middle Eastern, BBQ/Grilling, Baking, Pastry, Bread Making, Cake Decorating, Chocolate Making, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Sushi Making, Pasta Making, Dumpling Making, Wine Pairing, Cocktail Mixing, Knife Skills, Meal Prep, Healthy Cooking, Holiday Cooking, Seafood, Sauces & Stocks

Class sizes:

7–15 people, 15+ people

Participation types:

Hands-on, Demonstration

Teacher credentials:

Professional Chef, Certified Culinary Instructor

Class types:

Culinary institute

Class duration:

Single-sessions, Extended program, Multi-week series

BYOB allowed?

Not allowed

Institute of Culinary Education Reviews

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Avoid Gather & Forge – My Experience with Their Private Chef Services

September 12, 2025

I don’t usually write negative reviews, but I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone else avoid the same mistake.

I hired Gather & Forge well in advance to provide a great private dining experience for guests I had flown in from across the country—two nights in a row. Both nights were a letdown.

The chef showed up 45 minutes to an hour late each night.

The food wasn’t hot. It came out lukewarm or even cool.

The quality of the meal didn’t justify the price. Honestly, I’d say the value was maybe 60% of what we paid.

I gave them plenty of chances to make it right, but they had no interest in doing so. As much as I think Brandon (the chef) worked hard, the overall service just didn’t live up to the cost or the expectations.

Bottom line: Gather & Forge is overpriced, underdelivers, and doesn’t seem to care about customer satisfaction. I really wanted this to be a great experience, but I would never use them again and highly discourage anyone from booking them for private chef services.

Clay

Fabulous venue for events & Italian cooking classes!

August 25, 2025

Our BYOB wine group had an amazing experience Saturday night at A Taste of Milan in the Southside with Chef Sidney and Katie! We learned how to make home made pasta and enjoyed her family recipes handed down from generations! Truly beyond 5 stars and it was a magical evening! Thank you Sidney and Katie

Kim Marie Angiulli