Are you looking to enter a culinary arts or cooking school in the Orlando, FL area?
Located in beautiful Orlando, Florida, Le Cordon Bleu's Orlando Culinary Academy boasts the combination of a World Class training center and one of the worlds top vacation destinations. That means opportunity, excitement and fun while you learn.
The Academy's association with Le Cordon Bleu represents a union of the finest in European and North American culinary arts training programs available today.
What You Need to Know
Below is some basic information about the Orlando Culiary Academy's Culinary Arts & Hotel Management programs. It should help you decide if this is a school to consider. If it does make your list of possible choices, I suggest you click on the "Request Free School Info" button, fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer all your questions in detail, fill you in on costs and financial aid and explain the next steps to apply.
Orlando Culinary Academy
8511 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
Orlando Culinary Academy was founded in 2002 to bring Le Cordon Bleu culinary education to the Orlando area. The school blends Le Cordon Bleu tradition of classical French cooking and state-of-the-art American technology to create one of America’s premiere culinary training programs.
Orlando Culinary Academy maintains the quality of its programs by hiring professional chefs to teach the classes, by keeping classes small and informal and by providing exceptional support for students. Faculty members are available to give each student individual attention and to provide tutoring when necessary.
Students learn in modern lecture rooms, professional kitchen labs, the computer lab, externships and the student-run restaurant. This gives them a broad range of learning opportunities including plenty of hands-on experience. The programs are competency-based, and students document over 400 culinary competencies over the course of their education.
The college provides extensive career services, including helping students find part-time employment while in school, arranging externships and assisting graduates and alumnae find positions in the international hospitality industry.
Programs
Orlando Culinary Academy has three programs: culinary arts, patisserie and baking and hospitality and restaurant management. All programs use Le Cordon Bleu curricula, and graduates receive the appropriate diploma or degree plus the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Diplôme.
Culinary Arts: The Culinary Arts program is intended to prepare students with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to assume leadership roles in the hospitality industry. Students learn all aspects of cooking and baking, with a thorough grounding in both back-of-the-house and front-of-the-house procedures. They also learn management theory and how to apply that knowledge through all levels of management in a variety of hospitality businesses. The program can be completed in 15 months, which includes a 3 month externship. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and Le Cordon Bleu Diplôme in Culinary Arts.
Patisserie and Baking: In this program, students learn the skills of baking, pastry and dessert making and prepare for entry-level positions as pâtisserie and bakery chefs. They can also continue their education toward an associate degree. At the end of the Pâtisserie and Baking program, graduates receive Le Cordon Bleu Diplôme in Pâtisserie and Baking.
Hospitality and Restaurant Management: This program prepares students for management-level positions in restaurants and other establishments. Students learn kitchen and dining room management, Le Cordon Bleu cuisine and professional communication. They develop their skills with hands-on practice managing the student restaurant and in externships. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science and Le Cordon Bleu Diplôme in Hospitality and Restaurant Management.
Accreditation
Orlando Culinary Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and is a Le Cordon Bleu cooking school.
Faculty and Facilities
Orlando Culinary Academy hires professionally and academically prepared instructors for general education classes. Industry-related classes are taught by experienced professionals, bringing their industry expertise into the classroom.
The Academy occupies a beautiful campus in a suburban neighborhood of Orlando. The facilities include lecture rooms, modern professional kitchen labs, a computer lab, a library, bookstore and the student-run restaurant.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for students who qualify for it. The school suggests filing a FAFSA form as early as possible and contacting the financial aid office to assist you in developing a plan for financing your education.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is one of America’s premier resort towns and has more recreational activities than you can imagine. Disney World, Epcot Center, Sea World and many other attractions are close by. The tourist industry also attracts big name concerts and other events. You’re just a short drive from either the Atlantic or the Gulf coast and the beaches.
The city is beautiful and you’ve got Florida’s beautiful sunshine. At the same time, you will find affordable housing and a good public transit system. Because Orlando is a resort destination, the restaurants are wonderful, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to broaden your education by trying different cuisines and sampling the specialties of different chefs.
You’ll probably do an externship in one of these premiere restaurants. Orlando is the perfect place for your Le Cordon Bleu education.
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.
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