How much does the professional course cost?

The total is $6,500, with knives not included. It is paid in two parts of $3,250, one for Professional 1 and one for Professional 2.

Do I need cooking experience?

No. The school accepts students with or without culinary experience.

What is the class schedule?

Professional classes run 8:00am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday, for 40 days in total.

Can I take a private lesson instead?

Yes. Private lessons are one-on-one and start at $150 per hour, booked in four-hour blocks. You can choose topics such as sashimi, fish preparation, tempura, sukiyaki or vegetable carving.

Can international students enroll?

Yes. The school is licensed to accept international students and offers I-20 support for the M visa.

Cooking school · Torrance, CA

Sushi Chef Institute

Licensed Torrance vocational school training sushi chefs in a two-month intensive course

4.620 Google reviews

About Sushi Chef Institute

Sushi Chef Institute is a licensed vocational school at 1123 Van Ness Avenue in Torrance. It has one goal: training people to work as sushi chefs. The late Chef Andy Matsuda founded it in downtown Los Angeles in 2002. He had apprenticed at Genpachi in Osaka. Students can enroll with or without kitchen experience.

The main program is a two-month Professional Course in two parts, Professional 1 and Professional 2. Classes run 8am to 1pm on weekdays for 40 days. Students learn Japanese knife sharpening, sushi rice, traditional and fusion rolls, nigiri and sashimi, and how to prepare over 30 kinds of fish and shellfish. Later weeks add a fish market field trip, sushi bar simulation, California food safety and restaurant costing.

Private lessons are one-on-one and booked in four-hour blocks. They can cover tempura, sukiyaki, teppanyaki, vegetable carving and more. This is career training, not a casual night out. The school holds a 4.6 Google rating from 20 reviews.