06.08.06 The first comprehensive educational program on Italian Cuisine in the United States is born

An intensive, integrated course of study in Italian Cuisine from the Italian Culinary Academy - created by The French Culinary Institute of New York (U.S.) in conjunction with ALMA of Colorno (Parma, Italy)

ALMA, the most authoritative school of Italian Cuisine in Italy, lead by Gualtiero Marchesi, and The French Culinary Institute of New York, the most qualified culinary school in the United States, have created a partnership to penetrate the US market, home to 25,000 Italian restaurants. In a world that increasingly demands high-level professional skills, the partnership between these two schools supports the excellence of Italian Cuisine, and a new initiative is born: The Italian Culinary Academy.

The FCI (The French Culinary Institute) brings their direct and in-depth knowledge of United States restaurants, 22 years of expertise in culinary education, and Cesare Casella - Dean of Italian Studies, Tuscany native, and Master Chef. ALMA adds their youthful and dynamic organization, along with the knowledge of great Italian Maestri [Masters] who, starting with ALMA’s principal, Gualtiero Marchesi, have been able to promote modern Italian Cuisine.

The program is based on the proven model of The FCI, organized in building blocks, to develop the foundation of the students’ education before allowing them advance to each next step. Teaching is mainly practical (demonstrations and hands-on work), although any necessary theory is covered. Both ALMA and The FCI believe that the special characteristics of Italian Cuisine – so linked to Italy’s regions, products, and traditions – need to be experienced and lived by aspiring chefs in their natural environment, therefore in Italy, and one key to unlocking that experience is language.

The parts of the program that take place in NYC are taught in English, and the portion at ALMA is taught in Italian (with a translator present). This is possible because the first week of classes in NYC is devoted solely to intensive language study, and these language lessons continue throughout their time in NYC and at ALMA.

The program is divided in to four sections. The first one consists of 10 weeks in New York, where the students’ learn basic techniques, the foundations of Italian cooking, and study the Italian language. This is followed by 9 weeks in Colorno (Parma, Italy), for a more in-depth focus on Italian regional cuisine, along with additional Italian language studies. The program covers the characteristic products of Italian gastronomy, along with visits to the facilities that produce salamis and cured meats, cheese, pasta, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, as well as visits to wine cellars. Then, if visa regulations permit, students will serve a 9 week apprenticeship at a high-quality Italian restaurant, selected by ALMA. The program ends with the students returning to New York City for classes in kitchen management, practical review, their final exam, and to cook special dinners for friends and family. Students who successfully complete the entire program will be awarded a joint certificate in Italian Cuisine.

In 2007, the program will be offered four times, to a maximum of 20 students per class (80 students total).

For the students’ residence at ALMA, a small building is currently under construction, and is located in the countryside of Colorno, near sports facilities, swimming pools, and parks.

The program will start its first day of classes in NYC on Monday, January 8, 2007, and the first day of classes at ALMA will be Monday, March 26, 2007.

According to Mr Gualtiero Marchesi, principal of Alma: “The chefs who will have this extraordinary educational experience will garner unique professional knowledge and experience many unforgettable moments and memories; they will be ambassadors for our cuisine for life”.

Explains Chef Cesare Casella, Dean of Italian Studies at The FCI: “We want to ensure that every student who enters these new Italian programs leaves with the same world-class education for which The FCI and ALMA has always been known.”

For information:

ALMA
Piazza Garibaldi, 26 - 43052 Colorno (Parma) Italia. Tel. +39 0521.525211
E-mail: infoalma@scuolacucina.it
Web: www.alma.scuolacucina.it

THE FRENCH CULINARY INSTITUTE
462 Broadway - New York, NY 10013
Tel 212.219-8890 or 1-888-FCI-CHEF
www.frenchculinary.com