The French Culinary Institute in NYC

 by: Michael Lansing

The French Culinary Institute was founded in New York City in 1984 by Dorothy Cann Hamilton. It quickly became one of America’s foremost cooking schools, due to its combination of classic French techniques and American inventiveness. Today, it is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious culinary schools due in part to the distinguished faculty at the school.

Faculty members include culinary luminaries such as master chefs Alain Sailhac, Jacques Pépin, André Soltner, Jacques Torres, Alice Waters, and master sommelier Andrea Robinson. They also have a series of visiting lecturers to compliment the teachings of their core faculty. The FCI provides students with rigorous, hands-on, training that allows for an easy transition into the workforce.

There are three core programs available at the FCI: The Culinary Arts Program, The Classic Pastry Arts Program, and their Art of International Bread Making Program.

The Culinary Arts Program will teach you much more than French cuisine. This program will provide you with the foundation necessary for all great cuisine. The program is broken into four levels, with each progressively more intense than the last. By the fourth level you will have direct responsibility for the menu at "L’Ecole", a restaurant highly rated by the Zagat Survey and the Wine Spectator.

The Classic Pastry Arts Program will teach you all there is to know about making the perfect pastries. Under the stewardship of Jaques Torres, one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious "Meilleur Ouvrier de France Pâtissier" Award, you will be on the road to success. The day you graduate, you will be qualified to create pastry art and designs in the finest commercial kitchens in the country.

The Art of International Bread Making Program is a 180 hour intensive immersion in all things bread making. Students will learn to bake artisan breads of France, German and Eastern European breads, and Italian breads in three two-week sessions. Graduates will receive "Le Diplome du Boulanger" upon successful completion of these courses.

For more information about The French Culinary Institute, feel free to visit their website at www.frenchculinary.com.