The country’s top culinary school, the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) Manila, has taken a bold step forward with the opening of its new home located in the heart of Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Dedicated to providing aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts with real-world training, this new facility includes a grand kitchen laboratory, and a modern kitchen studio ideal for product demonstrations, private dinners, and industry events.

“Our new home is located inside the academic enclave of the University of the Philippines BGC campus for professional studies,” said Badjie Trinidad, President of CCA Manila. “Since this area is also within the University Parkway where international schools are located, our students will have easy and safe access to top destinations such as restaurants, malls, parks, offices, and residential buildings.”

Culinary Study Supported with State-of-the-Art Facilities

Aside from the kitchen studio, CCA Manila in BGC features a grand kitchen laboratory with 45 individual cooking stations, ensuring that each student has a dedicated space for hands-on learning.

This hands-on approach, which CCA Manila has been known for, instills kitchen independence, enabling students to explore their culinary creativity while mastering essential techniques.

CCA Manila in BGC also embraces technological trends in the culinary industry, housing the latest model of the Rational iCombi Pro, induction hobs, griddles and ovens, sous vide machines, and even smoke guns. All these modern equipment and tools are for the benefit of students, and are made available through collaborations with esteemed industry partners such as Rational, Modello Kitchen, Breville, Catering Depot, Blizzard, SMEG, Nacionale Bladeworks, and ChefWorks.

Diverse Programs to Ignite Culinary Passion

At the core of CCA Manila’s curriculum is an array of comprehensive courses catering to culinary enthusiasts of all levels. The flagship program, the Diploma in Culinary Arts and Technology Management, is proudly accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF). The two-year program offers a holistic understanding of culinary techniques, kitchen management, and the art of gastronomy. Led by seasoned chef-instructors and industry experts, this program equips students with skills, creativity, and leadership necessary for success in the culinary world.

Students of this program may take further studies with the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) to earn a BS in Entrepreneurial Management Major in Culinary Arts or a Diploma in Culinary Agripreneurship in partnership with the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

“CCA Manila is a pioneer in introducing programs that build a strong foundation for future chefs. We are proud of our graduates who are now food entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, and heads of kitchens of top hotels, cruise ships, commissaries,” said Trinidad. “CCA Manila graduates have truly conquered the world one kitchen at a time.”    

Honoring the rich Filipino culinary heritage, CCA Manila also offers the "Fundamentals in Filipino Cuisine," which bridges tradition and innovation, empowering students to reinvent classic dishes while preserving authentic flavors.

“CCA Manila is a champion of Filipino cuisine, as shown how we have continuously promoted Filipino ingredients and techniques, and proved that our chefs can be at par with the very best in the world,” said Trinidad.

For those seeking focused skill enhancement, CCA Manila's short courses offer intensive workshops on baking, pastry arts, international cuisines, wine and beverage, digital marketing, and food entrepreneurship. The short courses are ideal for busy professionals who work on weekdays in BGC and are aspiring chefs during weekends.

There is also the Professional Chef Course, a six-month self-paced program in partnership with Rouxbe, the world's largest online culinary school. The course provides certification and internship opportunities.

Culinary Innovation and Industry Partnerships
CCA Manila's commitment to culinary excellence goes beyond its curriculum. The institution takes pride in its role as a culinary consultant in the industry, as seen in its recent partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop recipes using the Malusog rice. Customized training programs, such as the Plant Forward Cuisine course for Guang Ming College and seed-to-plate courses with Urban Farms in BGC, illustrate CCA’s flexibility in addressing industry demands.

As CCA Manila will soon mark 27 years of culinary education excellence, it looks ahead to exciting prospects. There will be an upcoming "Future of Food" conference in November that will gather industry leaders to discuss trends and opportunities in the F&B sector. This conference aligns with CCA Manila’s vision to remain at the forefront of culinary education, adapting to emerging trends while preserving timeless traditions.

Embark on Your Culinary Journey
“CCA Manila's new site in BGC marks a significant milestone in the world of culinary education. Whether you aspire to become a professional chef or simply want to impress your loved ones with new food creations, CCA Manila welcomes you to start your journey, guided by the expertise of our faculty and the modern resources available at our new facility,” said Trinidad.

For inquiries and enrollment details, please visit the official website at http://www.cca-manila.edu.ph. To get in touch, reach out via email at talktous@cca-manila.edu.ph or follow CCA Manila on Facebook and Instagram (@ccamanila).