CCA marks 15 years of culinary excellence

MANILA, Philippines - In the Philippines, the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA, Manila) is a leader in formal culinary education. Proof of this is the number of CCA graduates that have placed the Philippines on the global culinary map and numerous pioneering projects undertaken by the school. In fact, in 15 years, CCA, Manila has produced over 5,000 industry practitioners, over 2,000 offshore chefs, over 800 restaurateurs, over 600 corporate chefs, over 500 chef-preneurs, over 200 culinary scholars, 80 medals in competitions, 55 exchange students, 35 chef-instructors and 10 celebrity chefs.  These numbers alone are enough proof of its continued dominance in the culinary industry.

CCA, Manila continues to break new ground. It gave the Philippines the distinction of being the first country in the Asia-Pacific region and the second outside America (apart from Switzerland) to have academic programs accredited by the prestigious American Culinary Foundation (ACF).

ACF is a premier professional chefs’ organization based in North America with 225 chapters and more than 20,000 members in the US. Sanctioned by the Council on Higher Education for Accreditation, ACF is the only recognized organization to accredit culinary arts, baking and pastry programs in the US. While any culinary school can apply for ACF accreditation, only a chosen few can pass their standards.  A world of opportunities and benefits await graduates of schools who have ACF accreditation.

In addition to ACF are various partnerships of CCA, Manila with prestigious schools and organizations such as The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Canada, and The University of the Philippines, the William Angliss Institute in Australia, the Johnson and Wales University in the US, Les Roches in Switzerland, Thames Valley University in the UK.

CCA, Manila will host various activities to mark its 15th year. A team from the ACF will arrive in the country to conduct an ACF Certification Test.  The ACF certification test will start on Nov. 21 (orientation), while the test proper is from Nov. 22 to 24. 

On Nov. 26, the festivities will start with a Holy Mass at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., CCA, Manila newest “focal point” will be unveiled for the first time to the public. After that, induction of the new club officers of the Continuing Education Program (CEP) Culinary Club will be conducted.  There will be a “Celebrity Chef Cooking Demo” led by Chefs Sau Del Rosario, Robbie Goco, and Ed Quimson. It will be held at the USDA Theater Kitchen at the CCA, Manila campus.

A gala dinner will highlight 15 years of excellence of CCA and this will be capped off with “CCA After Dark,” a party celebration for CCA students, alumni and school administration.

 For more information, call 426-4840 to 41, 994-2530 and 40 or visit www.cca-manila.com.