The Center of Culinary Arts (CCA Manila) is the pioneer, leader, and innovator in the formal culinary education in the country. For 25 years, CCA Manila has garnered accolades and credentials from around the world for its excellence in innovative culinary education, as well as advocating Filipino gastronomy. Through the years, CCA Manila has produced thousands of graduates who are now part of the culinary industry as chefs, entrepreneurs, and educators all over the world.
“We are excited and humbled at the same time to arrive at our 25th year. CCA Manila has endured through time and continues to be the leader in transforming Filipino talents in the kitchen into world-class culinary professionals,” says Dr. Veritas F. Luna, Chancellor for Education of CCA Manila. “We remain positive that the school will continue its role as a leader by celebrating this milestone.”
True to its commitment to provide quality education, CCA Manila has implemented some “e-nnovations” – transforming innovative practices in the kitchen into the digital realm. With this, the school continues to host virtual competitions and monthly webinars highlighting Filipino cuisine.
Partnerships and programs were also strengthened such as with ROUXBE, the largest online culinary school in the world; and with Korean Food Promotion Institute, by delivering authentic Korean cuisine classes. There are also partnerships with the DTI for the Hybrid National Food Fair, and TikTok to promote Pinoy food to a global audience.
The school continued to offer programs to open up opportunities for students to continue culinary education in the new normal – new innovative programs applicable to the current situation such as the innovative Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management Major in Culinary Arts, implemented in partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P); and the relevant Culinary Agripreneurship, done in partnership with UP Los Baños.
There’s also the ProChef Plus Certification Program, the Food Entrepreneurship Masterclass, etc. All these programs are supported with a strong business approach, encouraging students to be bold, creative, and entrepreneurial. “CCA Manila not only served as the pioneer in excellent professional culinary education in the region but has pivoted the food and tourism hospitality to a robust industry, through the generation of dedicated and competent culinary professionals,” says Luna.
CCA Manila’s Silver Year of Cooking for the World celebration kicked off with a webinar featuring House Representative Toff de Venecia, chair of the Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts, and notable food industry experts such as Ige Ramos, Nicole Ponseca and medical anthropologist Mike Tan to talk about Filipino gastronomy and talent. Known as the “original Asian fusion cuisine” across the globe, Filipino gastronomy is a mix of rich cultural history, diversity of flavors, aroma, and colors. Also, this is where the Filipino talents come in – creativity and experimenting that make Pinoy food more exciting.
Other webinars included :
- “Pambansang Chef” – Foodie and best-selling author Angelo Comsti with co-host CCA Manila’s PR and Business Development Director Ana Beatrice Trinidad, discussed topics like Filipino Gastronomy and Heritage Policy, Sustaining Cravings for Filipino Food, Pride of Filipino Gastronomic Roots, and The Important Role of Filipino Diaspora on the Promotion of Culinary Heritage.
- “Pagkaing Atin, Ihain Natin,” with known food leaders who shared their experiences on how they promoted Filipino culture and history around the globe.
- “Entree Pinays” – a collective of entrepreneurial Filipinas introducing Filipino cuisine and culture to the hearts and minds of Australians – went live on the same day.
To round – up the 25th year celebration, CCA hosts the yearly “Clash of the Clans: Culinary Competition.” Groups of CCA Manila students will compete among themselves in a face-to-face Filipino cuisine competition in these categories – meat, plant-based, seafood appetizer, and a cheese-based dessert.
For more information on event lineup and conference tickets, contact Jessical Cristobal at j.cristobal@cca-manila.edu.ph or talktous@cca-manila.edu.ph / +63955-143-8890 or Facebook.com/ccamanila or Instagram.com/ccamanila. You can also register through: http://tinyurl.com/ccamanilasilveranniversary.
CCA Manila’s 25th anniversary milestone celebrations are supported by Cravings, Catering Depot, McCormick Culinary, Breville, Top Chef Enterprise, Nacionale Bladeworks, Scan Pan, Dairy Farm, Epalengke, Amala, The Meat Be Done, and Philippine Daily Inquirer.
