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Virginia College News

The new Virginia College location in Jacksonville, Florida, has begun enrolling for its unique new Culinary Arts program. This move will extend for the first time the Culinard brand that is in place at Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College in Birmingham, Alabama. Construction has already begun on the school's new, state-of-the-art teaching kitchens, and culinary classes will begin January 11, 2010.

Modeled after the highly successful curriculum at Culinard in Birmingham, the program features a 36-week total-immersion philosophy that has students in the kitchens the very first day of class, learning from top-ranked chef/instructors. They will then be able to enjoy their new cooking careers more quickly than with most traditional programs. They learn cooking techniques and apply their creativity while gaining skills that are most in demand by potential employers.

Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, and the Culinary Arts program is approved by the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission. Culinard in Birmingham opened in 2000 and has thousands of successful graduates.

Virginia College at Jacksonville President Milton Anderson says, "We are proud that the first location for Culinard beyond its birthplace will be here in Northeast Florida. It fits well here and meets a vital need. We know our fast-track culinary career program will be well received here, both by students and employers."

The new teaching kitchens represent an investment of more than $1.5 million and are located in the award-winning Virginia College facility at the corner of Beach and University in Jacksonville. The property there was recently named "Redevelopment Project of the Year" by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Jacksonville chapter.

"We are looking for students who have a passion for cooking and want to make it their career," Anderson says. "And we will make sure they learn what they need to know to be successful from talented, dynamic instructors in the best facilities in culinary education."

The school will soon add a restaurant that will be open to the public--The Culinard Café, located at the school--in which students can get practical retail experience while offering a new dining option to the area. They also plan to offer a 36-week Pastry Arts program early next year as well.

Education Corporation of America, the parent company of Virginia College and Culinard, will soon announce other new locations for its highly successful cooking school.