Six Reasons CIA Graduations are One-of-a-Kind

It’s college graduation season! To celebrate, we present these seven things you’ll only see (or hear, or taste) at a CIA commencement ceremony.

1. A Toque Toss

Sure, students throw their caps in the air at the end of all commencement ceremonies—including CIA bachelor’s grads.

CIA graduation ceremony with graduation caps being thrown in the air.

But seeing those crisp white toques flying through the air as CIA associate degree students hoot and holler is a real treat—and the only time our faculty would ever allow such treatment of the chef’s uniform, guaranteed!

CIA students celebrating at graduation ceremonies, tossing their toques in the air.

2. A Utensil-inspired Arch

Where else can you see giant cooking tools play a key role in graduation day tradition?

CIA students walking under an arch of giant cooking utensils during the CIA graduation ceremony.

At the conclusion of the ceremony at the New York campus, students pass under raised arches of whisks and sharpening steels.

Graduated CIA students walking under an arch of giant cooking utensils at the graduation ceremony.

3. The Wall

That would be “Lou’s Wall” or, more formally, Gastrotypographicalassemblage, a whimsical work of art conceived and designed by renowned graphic designer and CBS Creative Director Lou Dorfsman.

3 graduated CIA students posing in front of "Lou's Wall" or Gastrotypographicalassemblage artwork.

This 33-foot-long, eight-foot-high, three-dimensional ode to typography and food is a perfect backdrop for those memorable photo ops with grads on their big day!

2 graduated CIA students posing in front of "Lou's Wall" artwork with family taking photos.

4. Banging of Pots and Pans

Yeah, it can get pretty loud. Graduations at CIA California’s campus feature a traditional banging of pots and pans as students begin the procession.

Students banging pots and pans as graduating students begin the procession at the Greystone campus.

The graduates’ classmates enjoy making the celebratory racket—even if it sometimes gives campus safety staff a headache! (But it’s ok, she’s smiling!)

Woman with her hand on her head during banging pots & pans for the graduation at Greystone.

5. Enormous Wine Barrels

Following CIA California graduations, the college holds its Culinary Celebration reception in the Barrel Room, a magnificent holdover from the building’s past as the Christian Brothers Winery.

CIA Graduation reception in the Barrel Room at Greystone, the former Christian Brothers Winery.

Graduates and their families enjoy festive food and drink surrounded by the historic 2,200-gallon redwood wine barrels.

CIA graduates holding up glasses of champagne at the Greystone graduation reception.

6. The Food, the Fabulous Food!

If there’s one thing that makes a CIA graduation celebration stand out more than any other college, it’s the food! Whether it’s at the campus in New York…