Shaping the Future of Food
Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement Opportunities
Food Is Life®
It nourishes and sustains us. It connects us with our roots and with one another. It bridges our past and our future. And it is the center of one of the most vibrant and exciting industries in the world.
As the world’s premier culinary college, CIA does more than just cultivate the next generation of hospitality and food industry leaders; we also educate and empower current foodservice leaders to effect change in their businesses and communities. Our connections run deep, with ties to top universities, food industry leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists and food authorities from around the world, recognized brands, cultural influencers, and more. We’re shaping the future of the food industry and driving change for a better world. Our efforts center on four strategic pillars:
Industry Leadership Programs
CIA’s thought leadership conferences and programs bring together the best minds from the food industry, various professional sectors, academia, NGOs, and government to address critical issues affecting our food system, and the future of our menus. From professional conferences to invitational retreats, sector collaboratives, research, digital media initiatives, custom video and content solutions, informational resources, and more, CIA’s culinary thought leadership initiatives give chefs, high-volume menu decision makers, sector business leaders, and experts from around the globe the tools they need to drive what will be on our plates in the next year, decade, and beyond—and guide their guests toward healthier, more sustainable food choices whether dining out or at home.
CIA Consulting
Putting Principles into Practice
CIA Consulting’s team of certified master chefs, chefs, and certified hospitality educators help you take the disruptive trends and big ideas identified in our culinary leadership programs and distill them into actionable strategies for your businesses. With clients ranging from college and university dining programs, consumer packaged goods companies, senior living communities, restaurants, hotels, and commodity boards to name a few, CIA Consulting supports efforts from facility and menu design to new product innovation and recipe development, working behind the scenes with you to boost your bottom line.
Personal and Professional Development
The culture in-, and outside, the kitchen can make or break a business. That’s why it’s important to ensure consistent training, provide ongoing mentorship and professional development opportunities, and have a solid foundational knowledge of business, including financial administration, personnel management, real estate, and marketing. From line cook to the C-suite, our full range of professional education, certification, and advanced degree offerings can help you define your culinary culture.
ProChef® Training and Certification
This badge opens doors! With three progressive levels of training and certification, CIA ProChef combines hands-on training and mentorship to help organizations build and retain their workforce, and individuals better position themselves for career advancement.
Custom Training and Certification
Have a particular skill, cuisine, or other topic you want your team to learn? We’ve created custom training programs and certification for a variety of clients, including Rich Products and Deutsch Family Wines.
Video-based Training
Professional training that is ready wherever—and whenever—you are. The CIA ProChef video training series helps develop individual proficiency and cultivates a skilled workforce.
Master’s Degree and Certificate Programs
Looking to take your education one step further? From our Food Business School’s online master’s degrees to an accelerated culinary arts certificate program and more, there are a variety of flexible options to expand your knowledge and earning potential.
Signature Events
With an alumni network more than 55,000 strong and a community of supporters throughout every sector of the hospitality industry, CIA’s signature events are not just a place to rub elbows with food industry influencers, they also fund vital student scholarships.
CIA Leadership Awards (The Augies™)
Named for Auguste Escoffier, the Augies celebrate the food industry’s best and brightest, while raising essential student scholarship funds.
Thomas Keller Golf Classic
Connecting on—and off—the course, The Thomas Keller Golf Classic offers incredible networking opportunities and benefits student scholarships.
Alumni Events
The CIA Alumni Network is the food world’s most important alumni network—more than 55,000 strong—with members in every corner of the globe.
Reach Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
CIA’s gift-in-kind partners provide products and equipment for use in our teaching kitchens and restaurants, and are a great way to introduce your brand to the future leaders of the food industry
Join Our Community
The Culinary Institute of America is a not-for-profit institution. Your support helps ensure that the more than 90% of CIA students who receive financial aid and scholarships can pursue their dreams of attending the world’s premier culinary college. Here are just a few of the ways:
Scholarships
More than 90% of CIA students rely on scholarships and financial aid to realize their dream of attending the college. Learn more about how you can support CIA student scholarships.
Sponsorship
Reach key food industry leaders and decision makers through our leadership programs and events
Ignite a Career
Learn how your business can take part in our career fairs and career networking days, become an approved externship site, or sponsor a manager-in-training in our kitchens, bakeshops, and public restaurants
Society of Fellows
Join the Society of Fellows—an active network of industry and business professionals invested in the future of food and hospitality. This network of more than 300 food and wine enthusiasts and business professionals supports our mission—and students.