CCA, Manila solidifies culinary education leadership in RP

What inspires Chef Tristan Encarnacion of GMA television show Unang Hirit to excel in the culinary industry? How did Chef Xandra Tolentino, owner of Flaming Wings and Chef Nikki Nicolas, owner of SumoSam restaurant manage to become successful chef-entrepreneurs?

All of them have one common “ingredient: “World-class culinary education courtesy of the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila (CCA, Manila).

Chef Rosebud Benitez, a graduate from Batch 2003, confirms this statement: “CCA, Manila has the best curriculum which further honed my passion for cooking.” Her co-hosts in QTV 11’s “Ka-Toque: Lutong Barkada” Chefs Darlo Lopez and Niño Logarta wholeheartedly agrees. “CCA, Manila provided me the discipline to achieve my goal to be a professional in the culinary industry,” Chef Nino said.

Aside from the aforementioned chefs who have passed the stringent quality of training and discipline inside a kitchen, there are hundreds of CCA, Manila graduates all over the world who continue to reap citations for their culinary creations and excellence in managing kitchens and restaurants.

With CCA, Manila conquering the global foodscape, the school is more challenged to elevate the level of culinary education in the country by forging partnership with allied institutions. With the goal of preparing the new batch of CCA, Manila students to conquer the global food industry, the school has partnered with the National Restaurant Association, the Alliance Francaise de Manille and the world-renowned Alain Ducasse Training Center.

“At CCA, Manila, we don’t only educate chefs. We empower the students to go beyond the kitchen and become chef-entrepreneurs by exposing them to courses in marketing and human resources. These will be very useful if they decide to establish their own restaurants or food service business someday,” said JB Bolaños, CCA, Manila marketing manager.

With this kind of thrust, CCA, Manila students are guaranteed to master the art of Foodservice Management since the course covers topics on food safety, controlling food service costs, hospitality and restaurant management, inventory and purchasing, and more. This course was developed together with the prestigious National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) of the United States of America.

“With the NRAEF Manage First certifications, CCA Manila graduates will have an easier time to secure a job in the US food service industry. We are the only culinary school with the program wholly integrated in the curriculum,” said JB.

CCA, Manila has further elevated the culinary education experience when it teamed up with the world-renowned Le Centre de Formation d’Alain Ducasse (ADF), training center of the 9-Michelin star chef, Alain Ducasse of France. The first in the country, the partnership was highlighted with a “Cooking Under Influences” program which featured multi-ethnic cuisines when CCA, Manila marked its 10th year last November.

“We are very honored to partner with the ADF since we believe that in order for our graduates to maximize their passion and creativity in the kitchen, they must be exposed to the best that the world can offer. In the culinary world, one of the most prestigious training institutions is the ADF, and our students will be able to learn something from the continuous educational tie-ups we have with the French-based school,” said JB.

Add to that, CCA, Manila takes the extra mile since its French language subjects will now bear the seal of excellence of the Alliance Française de Manille (AFM). The AFM has developed a special program for CCA, Manila focusing on the culinary arts and hospitality industry and equipping the students with the linguistic skills to excel in the global foodscape.

“With the Diplome d’Etudes en Langue Francaise, a diploma certifying knowledge and mastery of the French language and recognized by the French Ministry of Education, our graduates will have an edge in obtaining continuing education and work in French-speaking countries,” said JB. “Again, we are also the first culinary school to offer French language that is focused on the food service industry.”

Aside from the partnerships to ensure that the students learn from the best in the industry, CCA, Manila is now offering an “Education Assist Program.” The program allows students to enroll in academic programs through partner credit cards or through education loans from partner financial institutions.

Application and enrollment for Culinary Arts and Technology Management (one to two years) and Baking-Pastry Arts and Technology Management (one to two years) is ongoing for the opening of classes in June and August 2007.

For inquiries on the diploma or short courses, call CCA, Manila at 426-2840, 426-4825, or 426-4836 local 41 or e-mail: [email protected]. Visit their website at www.cca-manila.com. CCA, Manila campus is located at 287 Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.