First Gourmet Academy offers culinary diploma courses

MANILA, Philippines - First Gourmet Academy is now accepting applicants for its diploma courses. Classes will start on May 4.

First Gourmet Academy, which boasts a curriculum aimed at developing the students’ culinary competency and professionalism, was founded in 2008. It offers two diploma courses: commercial cooking and culinary arts, and commercial cooking, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship.

The diploma in commercial cooking and culinary arts is a six-month intensive course for those who aspire to become chefs. It covers the essentials of food safety and sanitation, basic culinary skills, and food science, baking and pastry, garde manger, and international cuisines. Students undergo a three-month internship in any of the academy’s accredited training partners.

The diploma in commercial cooking, culinary arts and entrepreneurship is designed for the budding chef cum entrepreneur. It covers basic restaurant design, wine appreciation, bartending, service styles, and kitchen management.

Graduates will be equipped with business knowledge and practices that will help them in facing challenges once they become culinary practitioners.

First Gourmet Academy director Mats Loo has 25 years of experience in culinary management and operation. He has worked in some of the best European restaurants and cruise ships.

Entrepreneurs cum instructors Romy Mercado and Dennis Nakpil complement Loo’s culinary expertise with their entrepreneurial management teachings. Mercado has 27 years of experience tucked under his belt and was instrumental in turning their family bakery business into a successful global business. Dennis Nakpil, on the other hand, is the force behind the boom of a Filipino casual dining restaurant that is now a thriving franchise brand.

The academy also offers short certificate courses on artisan bread, fundamentals of baking and pastry, fundamentals in culinary arts, summer courses as baking for kids or culinary arts for teens, European cuisines, Asian cuisines, and wine appreciation for food enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs who may want to open a small business enterprise.

First Gourmet Academy is located at Capitol Green St., Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Quezon City.

For inquiries, call 951-1687, 951-9655, SMS 0908-2592639 or e-mail info@firstgourmetacademy.com.