Interested in starting your culinary career today at Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre in Houston, Texas
If you ever thought about going to cooking school in Texas, you'll want to learn more about Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre in Houston
What You Need to Know
Finding the right cooking school & hospitality management program that meets your needs is the first step to an incredible new career in the field of Culinary Arts. Yes, a good culinary school is lot's of work and once you graduate the hard work continues. However, becoming a professional chef has its rewards too. Right now there is a huge demand for well trained cooks as America has a new found attraction to "celebrity" chefs.
Below is some basic information about Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre and its programs, but if you really want to learn more, you should fill out the short questionnaire and someone will contact you to talk about how to apply, time requirements, costs and just about anything else you may need to know.
Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre
7070 Allensby
Houston, TX 77022
Why Choose Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre
The motto of the Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre (CIAML) is “tradition, quality, respect,” and it describes the school’s approach to culinary education. The courses are based on the tradition and competencies of French cooking, which can be applied to any cooking style and venue.
The school strives to provide the highest quality in culinary education for students and to graduate the finest quality chefs for employers. Deep respect for the students, the culinary community and the local community are conveyed by involvement in the Culinary Endowment and Scholarship (founded by Marie LeNotre to raise funds for culinary arts students), and by professional and community memberships and activities.
CIAML opened in 1998 as a training center for people seeking a culinary arts career, for food enthusiasts and for continuing education. Recently, the school added academic associate degree programs to its menu. CIAML currently offers three diploma programs, two associate degree programs, “Chef Club” classes and summer camps. Intensive, hands-on, fast track programs prepare graduates for employment in the food services industry, which is rapidly expanding and experiencing a shortage of good sous chefs and managers.
Programs of Study
CIAML offers five career programs: three diploma programs and two associate degree programs.
Program A is a 748 hour Cooking and Catering program that leads to a diploma as Sous Chef de Cuisine.
Program B is also 748 hours in Pastry Baking. Students earn a diploma as Sous Chef Patissier-Boulanger.
Program C requires 1122 clock hours and leads to a diploma in Culinary Arts.
Students can also earn an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts or in Baking and Pastry Arts. Associate Degree programs take 60 weeks for the morning program and 100 weeks for the evening program. Both Associate Degree morning programs can be completed in 76 weeks.
The AD programs spend 15 weeks in general education classes, 20 weeks in hotel and restaurant or bakery management, 20 weeks in hands-on cooking classes and 5 weeks in an internship.
All students in Program C and the AD programs receive a one-year junior membership to the American Culinary Federation, which introduces them to professionalism, allows them to compete in cooking competitions (the 2007 CIAML team won the Texas State Culinary Federation competition) and includes no-cost training for culinary certification.
Class sizes are limited to 12 students, giving students plenty of individual attention from the teaching chefs. Students who excel and complete Program C or the AD programs with a 4.0 GPA can apply for internships in France, which the school facilitates. All students and graduates can receive placement assistance from the Student Services Office.
Accreditation
CIAML is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, the American Culinary Institute Educational Assurance Program and the Texas Higher Education and Coordination Board. It is also a certified American Culinary Institute Practical Exam Center.
Financial Aid
Students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and meet with the Financial Aid officer to discuss ways to pay for college. CIAML is an approved educational provider for all Federal Student Aid programs, including grants, work-study and educational loans, and for Veterans and Active Military Duty educational assistance. It is also approved by the State of Texas to offer vocational training through the Department of Assistance and Rehabilitative Services.
A number of scholarships are available through the Culinary Endowment & Scholarship, Inc. Students can apply for these scholarships through the Financial Aid office.
CIAML works with several private lenders to assist students and parents with private loans for college. Tuition payment plans are also available.
Faculty and Facilities
The school recently remodeled to include additional facilities for the Associate Degree programs. That included the addition of a Learning Resource Center/Library and new classrooms.
The faculty at CIAML are all French trained chefs with extensive worldwide industry experience.
The City of Houston, Texas
Houston, with its multicultural, international population, is an ideal place to start your culinary career. It is the largest city in Texas, with a population of over 2 million. Houston has always had a thriving economy. Initially it was a seaport and railroad center. It is still one of the largest 
ports in the world.
After oil was discovered in 1901 it became—and still is—a petroleum production center. It has the world’s largest healthcare and medical research center, Texas Medical Center, and Houston’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center leads the space and technology industry in the area.
Houston has scattered neighborhoods and business centers instead of a central business hub surrounded by suburbs. This enhances the diverse culture and helps a large city “feel” surprisingly neighborly and friendly.
You’ll find plenty of parks and outdoor activities, lots of museums, visual and performance arts, and wonderful music of all kinds. It’s a great place to live, work and go to school.
If you are interested in any of these great programs at Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNotre of Houston , please click on the button below, fill out the form and a representative will contact you to answer your questions and send more information about the school including an application.
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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