Top Culinary School in Bethesda, Maryland Area
A great place to live if you're interested in a culinary arts career, Gaithersburg, MD is home to a diverse population and a wealth of history. Located in this historic city, L'Academie de Cuisine is pleased to offer a culinary arts and pastry arts program to prospective students.
If you have been thinking about attending culinary school in the Washington, DC area, you are most likely asking yourself questions like how much is it going to cost, how long will it take to graduate, how & where do I apply and is financial aid available?
If you are interested in attending culinary arts school at the L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD, we recommend you look at the information below and see if this school is the right fit. If it is, click on the "Request Free School Info" button, fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer any additional questions about the school, costs, financial aid and how to apply.
L'Academie de Cuisine
16006 Industrial Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20814
About L'Academie de Cuisine
Founded in 1976, L'Academie de Cuisine has over 30 years of experience in teaching students French culinary techniques. Founder Francois Dionot is a native of France, and attended culinary school and hotel management school at the prestigious L’Ecole Hoteliere de la Societe Suisse de Hoteliers in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Recognized as the premier culinary school in the Washington, DC region and is considered one of the finest schools in the United States, graduates of L'Academie de Cuisine have gone on to become professional chefs around the United States. Located in Gaithersburg, MD, L'Academie de Cuisine moved into a 15,000 square foot culinary arts facility in 1994, where it offers professional training programs in culinary arts and pastry arts.
Culinary Arts
The Culinary Arts program at L'Academie de Cuisine lasts one year, and is known for being a hands-on, intensive course of training that is broken down into 3 different phases. Culminating with a paid externship, the Culinary Arts program at L'Academie de Cuisine is designed to give students the skills needed in order to work for any chef in the United States.
Blending the theoretical and technical aspects of French cooking, the Culinary Arts program is defined by it's small class sizes, and the personalized attention that students receive from instructors. With an emphasis on food presentation and preparation, students will also learn about operations, management, and other career development topics.
During the externship phase of the Culinary Arts program, students will spend the majority of their time (96%) in a professional kitchen under the supervision of a professional chef. Gaining real kitchen experience in a fine-dining establishment, it's no surprise that graduates of the Culinary Arts program at L'Academie de Cuisine are known for being well-rounded professionals.
Pastry Arts
A three-phase training program, the Pastry Arts curriculum at L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD is a one-year program. A hands-on training program, the Pastry Arts program includes training in desserts, French pastries, classic techniques, and palate, presentation, purchasing, and preparation (also known as the "4 P's" philosophy). In addition to kitchen training, the Pastry Arts program includes a paid externship in order to gain real-world pastry arts experience.
Coursework in the Pastry Arts program includes technique demonstration, hands-on production, and lecture segments, with an emphasis on learning the latest decoration styles using high-quality ingredients. In addition, an emphasis is placed on learning how to balance texture and flavor, continually striving to improve skills learned in earlier phases of the program.
The final phase of the Pastry Arts program includes an externship at a school-approved pastry establishment, where students gain valuable training, but still return to the classroom once a month for targeted study, and to exchange ideas with fellow students. Throughout the externship program, students will be evaluated by the pastry supervisor, and by the school.
Financial Aid
L'Academie de Cuisine participates in a variety of financial aid and scholarship programs, and interested students should contact the Financial Aid Office for more information. Financial Aid programs that are available to qualifying students include Federal Pell Grants, FFEL Stafford Loans, FFEL PLUS Loans, and various alternative loan programs. In addition, the school offers a variety of scholarships to qualifying students.
Faculty and Facilities
Located at 16006 Industrial Drive, the Gaithersburg campus of L'Academie de Cuisine is a 15,000 square foot facility that offers small class sizes and hands-on training to students. In addition, the faculty at L'Academie de Cuisine are known for being seasoned professionals, bringing their diverse training and educational experiences to life in the classroom, giving students the skills and knowledge needed in order to join this exciting industry.
Going to Culinary Arts School in Gaithersburg, Maryland
Home to almost 60,000 residents, Gaithersburg, MD is a city rich in history. Founded in the mid-1700's, Gaithersburg is now home to high-rise buildings, a historic old-town district, and both suburban and urban living environments.
Located just a short drive from the Gaithersburg campus of L'Academie de Cuisine, Washington, DC is home to a wide array of world-class hotels and restaurants, meaning that graduates will be faced with a wealth of opportunity in a range of international cuisines. In addition, the city offers numerous entertainment options, historic neighborhoods, and a booming nightlife scene.
More Information
If you are interested in any of these culinary programs and would like to find out more, please request information from L'Academie de Cuisine - Gaithersburg, MD.
Other Schools of Interest In The Area
The Art Institute of Washington DC - Arlington, VA
Baltimore International College - Baltimore, MD
Stratford University - Falls Church, VA
What Do You Need To Know to Get Into Culinary School?
As the Reluctant Gourmet, I have never been to cooking school, but I keep telling myself it's never too late. The best way for you to learn more about becoming a chef is to visit my new Culinary School Resource Center. Here you will find articles, books, school resources and many other useful resources.
Also, try reading as much as you can about going to cooking school and what it is like to be a professional chef. One book I highly recommend to anyone thinking about culinary school is, The Making of A Chef, by Michael Ruhlman. It will really help you understand what you may be getting yourself into. For a complete list of Books For Cooks.
