FAQs
Why should I attend The International Culinary Center
At The International Culinary Center, our Total ImmersionSM approach puts our career students in the kitchen from day one, exposing them to professional equipment and developing techniques through cumulative practice in all areas of the culinary or pastry arts. Students refine their skills as they advance, without wasting a single minute of class time. This proven method successfully teaches in six months what takes other schools two years to teach.
We've spared no expense to equip our chef-instructors with all the necessary tools and equipment, in spacious, contemporary audio-visual assisted kitchens. In recent years, we've improved our already sophisticated facilities with a series of renovations designed to keep our classrooms in optimal conditions for learning.
Once our students graduate, we do everything in our power to place them in one of the thousands of jobs that cross our desks every year—that is, if they haven't already been snatched up by a top restaurant. But it's not just new graduates we help get jobs. We're deeply committed to keeping our alumni in jobs that satisfy them throughout their entire career. When past graduates want to change positions, we offer services such as individual placement assistance and resume writing assistance.
Can I train during the evening so I don't have to quit my day job?
If you're looking to make a career change but who would rather ease into your culinary arts education, we provide nine-month programs that offer the same challenges as our full-time day courses. Schedules and curricula vary between our New York and California campuses, so be sure to check individual course description pages for more details.
Will The International Culinary Center only prepare me for a career in a restaurant?
No. The International Culinary Center is truly a launching pad for an exiting and varied range of culinary careers—and with the growing popularity of the culinary arts, there's an overwhelming need for talented people in all diverse of the food business. Our career placement advisors cultivate relationships with employers in all areas of the industry and can offer students advice on breaking into these fields.
Will I really learn everything I need to know at such a fast pace?
You'll be amazed by what you can achieve in an intensely focused period of time, largely due to our comprehensive curriculum and the Total ImmersionSM method of training we use to instill each carefully planned lesson into your permanent repertoire. It’s all about personal attention, instant feedback, hands-on repetition, and inspiring reinforcement. And that’s the reason why anyone with a passion for cooking can learn the techniques and build the confidence that transforms them into a skilled individual an employer would be happy to hire. Thousands of students have succeeded using this method, and we’re confident it will also work for you.
As an international student, do I qualify for a student visa if I attend The FCI?
We are authorized to issue the I-20 that allows students enrolled our full-time career programs to apply for the M-1 visa. To help you navigate this or any other aspect of your application process, The International Culinary Center has a full-time staff member dedicated to guiding our international students. We are committed to making your experience as an applicant, and later as a student, go as smoothly as possible. Click here to learn more about being an international student.
Do you offer financial aid?
Yes. Scholarships, loans, and grants are available to those who qualify for financial aid, and our financial aid advisors strive to make the process of applying for aid an easy one. We'll be happy to walk you through every step of the process and to help you discover which types of aid are most appropriate for you. Click here to learn more about financial aid opportunities or contact us to have someone reach out to you.
Is previous culinary or pastry arts experience necessary?
Some of our grads had culinary or pastry arts experience when they entered The International Culinary Center, but the majority did not. The fact is, the only thing you need to attend The International Culinary Center is a passion for food (and a high school diploma). Our programs begin with a thorough grounding in getting the basics right, whether that's teaching culinary students how to properly hold a knife or teaching pastry students how to properly measure flour. So no matter your level of experience coming in, you can be assured you'll be fully prepared for a new career upon graduation.
Is there a job placement program for career students?
Yes, and the services available to you are ongoing, beginning from your first day of class to long after graduation. We offer career planning assistance, one-on-one résumé-writing and interviewing workshops, and biannual onsite career fairs. Most importantly, we publish an online Job Menu of opportunities open to International Culinary Center students that is updated frequently and can be access 24/7. The International Culinary Center receives over 4,000 requests for jobs each year from our network of restaurateurs, bakery owners, caterers, magazine, and newspaper editors. Click here to learn more about job placement services.
Do you offer student housing?
Yes. For our New York students, The International Culinary Center has secure, affordable student housing in modern apartments on Roosevelt Island and in Brooklyn Height. We also have dedicated student housing near our California campus, or can assist you in locating housing close to the school. Click here to learn more about your housing options.
How does the application process work?
The application process is simple, and you can even apply online. After you submit your application, along with a non-refundable application fee, an admission representative will contact you to discuss the steps you'll need to take in order to complete the process. Click here to learn more.