If there are lessons learned during this pandemic season, one of them is the importance of food security--from planting, sourcing, processing, delivery, upto the preparation of food for the family at home. Thus, people all over the world see the value in producing one’s food or devoting more time and efforts in food production. The importance of food will be more highlighted as the “new normal” becomes the way of life.  

“Even before the pandemic, CCA Manila has already been equipping students with the principles of Food Security. In fact, we are starting to offer our groundbreaking course -- the Diploma in Culinary Agripreneurship, which combines the best teachings of Agriculture with the best practices of Entrepreneurship, with emphasis on Food Security,” said Bea Trinidad, Corporate Communications and PR Manager of CCA Manila. 

“This is a course that is not only timely--it is also the most appropriate time to look into how we produce food that will benefit the majority,” she added.   

Thus, CCA Manila, as the country’s top culinary school, only partnered with the best of the best in terms of the Culinary Agripreneurship course. For the Agriculture part, it partnered with the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB); while for Entrepreneurship, CCA Manila partnered with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).  

“Food security is now one of the major issues being faced. If Filipinos will be able to produce their own food with the use of different techniques and setups in agriculture in their backyard and have the basic knowledge on how to prepare the raw ingredients, food security could be addressed at the community level,” said Dr. Barbara L. Caoili, Associate Dean for Research and Extension, CAFS of UPLB. “We believe that even after this pandemic, it will still be relevant as agriculture will always be part of every one's lives as long as we eat.” 

With CCA Manila as lead, the Diploma in Culinary Agripreneurship merges best culinary practices and valuable lessons in agriculture to increase employment and upgrade agriculture. 

“The College, as a premier institution of higher learning in agriculture and food science in the country, will equip students with knowledge, such as techniques on crop production and small animal raising to experience how food is produced to achieve the farm-to-fork goal. Additionally, students will learn how to operate small farms and gardens for sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Caoili.  

One of the best offerings of the program is that students will learn how to “conceptualize, process, and evaluate food products derived from fruits, vegetables, and small animals.”

After students learn the agriculture part, it is now time for them to create a crisis-proof business plan--from packaging, marketing, and promoting their products. The Entrepreneurial Management (EM) Program of UA&P is bringing its 25-year expertise in entrepreneurship education to CCA’s Culinary Agripreneurship program. 

“The program is very relevant now, with its focus on agriculture as there’s a need to reinvigorate and modernize the agri sector’s value-chain. Students can learn how to spot opportunities and innovatively contribute within the value-chain of the sector. There is a promising opportunity for them while contributing to food supply security and quality through the culinary arts,” said Dr. Eli Santos, Vice Dean and EM Program Director, School of Management of UA&P. 

Under the CCA’s Culinary Agripreneurship diploma course, the UA&P EM program gives students a solid foundation in entrepreneurship and other business-related modules. Students acquire knowledge and skills valuable in business set-up and operations. Moreover, the EM of UA&P ensures a distinct mentoring process, where students are further guided in doing business as well as in living more purposeful lives. 

With the “new normal” set to take place sooner than later, CCA Manila is ready to take on the challenge of Food Security, by equipping properly the next-generation of culinary leaders. 

“Before the crisis, our target for this program were aspiring chefs and farm owners (or their children). But we now realize that more Filipinos are becoming concerned about Food Security. A lot have discovered that they are passionate to be involved in any aspect of the agriculture value-chain − from planting in the field, to preparing finished products, and serving healthy meals from sustainable sources,” said Trinidad.  "This program is ready to hone their skills."

With the knowledge culled from three disciplines -- culinary arts, agriculture, and entrepreneurship -- students of this program can become the “agents of change” who will empower our communities to attain food security that can survive any crisis. 

For inquiries about the program, message us on Facebook.com/ccamanila. Call 0917-8408400 or email: talktous@cca-manila.edu.ph.