About CIA
The Culinary Institute of America has been setting the standard for excellence in professional culinary education since its founding in 1946.
The World’s Premier Culinary College
With campuses in New York, California, and Texas, and an additional location in Singapore, we offer master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees; certificate programs; and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. In addition, our conferences and consulting services have made us the think tank of the food industry.
Our Vision
Food is at the heart of our existence. Beyond sustenance, it is fundamental to cultures and deserves to be a source of joy for all people, families, and communities. We seek to better understand and promote its relationship to health, the environment, and a vibrant, equitable economy.
Our Mission
The Culinary Institute of America is dedicated to bettering the nation and the world by means of outstanding education, practice, and scholarship on all aspects of food and the enterprises related to it. Through a transformative learning experience, CIA prepares future food leaders, innovators, and experts for personal and professional success.
Our Values
CIA is a private, not-for-profit college, guided by the core values of Excellence, Leadership, Professionalism, Ethics, and Respect for Diversity.
Home of Netflix’s Next Gen Chef
As the global leader in culinary education, CIA was the perfect starting place for a competition to find the leading chef of the next generation. Learn more about faculty and alumni appearing on the show.
Meet the Administration
The Leadership Team is the College’s senior group overseeing education, student life, advancement, and alumni relations, and who are committed to your success as CIA students and alumni, throughout your career in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
Our Story—the History of CIA
For more than seven decades, CIA has been at the forefront of innovation and education excellence. From humble beginnings as a storefront cooking school in New Haven, CT, to multiple campuses around the world today, it’s been a remarkable story defined by amazing achievements, academic and professional excellence, diverse and accomplished individuals, and great food!
Faculty
One of the reasons why CIA is the world’s best culinary college is because our faculty are top industry pros. CIA instructors include acclaimed master chefs, top food industry executives, world-famous restaurateurs, published authors, master sommeliers, and more.
Diversity
CIA is a wonderfully diverse community, an inspiring melting pot of students, faculty, and staff representing every U.S. state and 30-plus countries around the world.
News and Media
Check out remarkable stories, media resources, and engaging videos about CIA or connect with our expert chefs and instructors.
Meet Sting
We sat down for an exclusive interview with Sting to learn first-hand how this global citizen came to “bee” CIA’s new mascot.
#OnlyAtCIA
It’s so much more than a hashtag. #OnlyAtCIA represents the countless ways the world’s premier culinary college is unlike anywhere else. It’s why one of the greatest chefs ever, Paul Bocuse, called CIA “the best culinary school in the world.”
Accreditation and Recognition
In addition to being accredited through Middle States, CIA is recognized by several other organizations for our excellence in a variety of areas.
CIA Campuses
Food is your community!
Be part of a vibrant campus and close-knit community, where everyone speaks your language—food.
At CIA, you’ll find all the ingredients you need to create a college experience that’s uniquely yours—guided by your passions, your interests, and your imagination. Each of our campuses offers a distinct flavor, a unique feel; yet at everyone, you’ll be part of a tight-knit, diverse community of students and instructors from all over the world, united in your shared passion for food.