Size Matters: Sizing Up the New Test Kitchen at CCA BGC

One of the enduring pioneers in culinary education opens its newest campus at one of Metro Manila's prime business districts further solidifying its reputation of producing the country's best culinarians and chef-preneurs...

For more than a quarter of a century, CCA Manila continues its mission to elevate the quality of culinary education in the country weaving its own legacy and leaving a lasting impact on Filipino cuisine, talent and creativity for the bigger world stage. This vision is reflected at its impressive new campus in Bonifacio Global City bannered by its world-class kitchen. Step inside for a peek of the grand stage for the country's next generation of culinary professionals...  

Located at the new UP Campus in Bonifacio Global City, this is where culinary dreams are made with CCA Manila's full repertoire of programs and workshops. To provide a real world environment for its students, CCA Manila now boasts what may very well be the largest working state-of-the-art kitchen in the country...

Disciples of Escoffier founding chairman and CCA Manila Culinary Director Philip John Golding leads the institution's thrust into a new era of culinary education armed with years of experience in both the international and local F&B scene. Set up with the latest in state-of-the-art equipment as well as multiple individual work stations, the new show kitchen is your gateway to your culinary dreams.

In addition to the enormous kitchen space, CCA Manila also has a special and exclusive dining area that can accommodate 20-25 diners ideal for private dining, events and special collaborations. Like a creative incubator for innovative ideas, the new kitchen becomes a stage for limitless culinary expressions. 

Take the first step to your journey of becoming a chef, baker, agri-preneur, culinary entrepreneur or just an all-around yet passionate home cook at CCA Manila in BGC with a full curriculum tailor-made to fit your specific culinary path. From full-time diploma courses and Bachelor of Science degrees to part-time short courses and zoom classes, following your dream is no longer just a dream.

CCA Manila Culinary Director Philip John Golding brings collaborative partnerships to the plate with unique programs like the prestigious Institut Culinaire Disciples Escoffier (ICDE) program and Rouxbe online training program with the world's leading online culinary school. 

The world-class curriculum along with a state-of-the-art working environment combine for an immersive learning experience at CCA Manila. Driven by constant innovation while adapting to the times for meaningful relevance, the new campus at BGC is the perfect starting point...

...to a fruitful career in the culinary world. They say picking the right embarkation point determines the tone for the rest of the journey, and CCA Manila is right where you need to be as you pursue your own dreams in the culinary world.

Inside the new and massive space, the environment recreates the pace of a real world working kitchen effectively simulating the workplace of a hotel, resort, restaurant, cruise ship or commissary kitchen. In addition to all the tools needed to properly arm the student such as individual work stations, online resources and relevant reference materials, mentorship from its stellar faculty completes the learning experience at CCA Manila.

The transfer of knowledge is a key pillar in the Escoffier philosophy, and this is practiced with the participation of guest chefs in addition to its faculty offering an insider's perspective as well as the latest techniques in executing a dish.

A culinary career isn't easy, there will be long hours in the kitchen, intensive classroom work and unbelievable pressure. It takes a whole lot of heart and dedication to succeed in an increasingly competitive field, more so in the age of social media where culinary trends come and go.  

But for those ready and up for the challenge, the path to success can be rewarding and fulfilling. That day, aspiring chefs in the short courses on Fundamentals in Filipino Cuisine along with students from the full program and workshop participants fired up the kitchen...

...with more than enough space for the simultaneous classes and workshops.  

CCA Manila Culinary Director Philip John Golding also showcased one of many collaborations at the new test kitchen with the organic fresh produce from Urban Farmers also located in BGC (more on my post, Oasis in the City: The BGC Community Farm by Urban Farmers).

Using the farm-fresh vegetables and herbs from Urban Farmers, CCA Manila Director Philip John Golding hosted a casual workshop...

...and cooking demo as part of the novel Kitchen Discovery Course of CCA Manila...

...featuring the Fattoush Inspired Green Salad.

Workshop participants of the Kitchen Discovery Course proudly presented their fresh creations. The Kitchen Discovery Course is just one of many interesting activities at the new test kitchen of CCA Manila presenting unique options for family and friends or even corporate team-building programs.

Then, Chef Philip John Golding prepared another dish for the Kitchen Discovery Course...

...assisted by CCA Manila students...

...inside the well-equipped test kitchen. For course participants, the Kitchen Discovery Course is an interactive and immersive experience to learn new culinary tricks straight from the masters.

Chef Philip John Golding then plated the second savory dish for the Kitchen Discovery Course...

...with the Carne Asada Angus Ribeye Quesadilla.

It was then the turn of the workshop participants to create their own culinary masterpiece...

...based on the demo of Chef Philip John Golding. The test kitchen at CCA Manila offers infinite possibilities in furthering your interest in all things culinary, from full programs to short courses and workshops. 

CCA Manila students then take over the kitchen applying all the skills learned in executing that perfectly plated dish...

...applying the delicate final touches...

...before presenting the end result. Their own unique personal styles come through, as they evolve and develop their own distinctive culinary personality. At CCA Manila, this wholistic approach and personal evolution becomes part of the learning process.

Back at the spacious kitchens, CCA Manila students complete their assigned dish for the day...

...joined by some of Manila's best chefs in the business, with Singaporean Chef Aaron Lau preparing his take on the Carne Asada Angus Ribeye Quesadilla for the Kitchen Discovery Course.

Known for his Detroit style pizza and New York bagels, Chef Aaron Lau shared his own techniques providing yet another perspective to the learning process (for more on Chef Aaron Lau, see my posts Weaving the Old and New at the Neo-Sin Gastronomy Private Dinner by Chef Aaron Lau at ChefWorks and Let's Talk Detroit Style Pizza and Bagels with Chef Aaron Lau at EAPPOC Pizza an Booya Bagels).

Chef Jeremy Slagle of Mister Delicious also shared his own spin at the Kitchen Discovery Course. The genius behind the artisanal smoked meats, best-selling bacon and classic American BBQ of Mister Delicious, Chef Jeremy Slagle imparted his expertise on meats to both students and workshop participants. 

In one afternoon, different styles and approaches were demonstrated at the workshop. Seeing all this happen simultaneously made it even more special with the sheer size, scale and set-up of the new test kitchen at CCA Manila. With the largest working kitchen n the country, size does matter.

The transfer of knowledge in the spirit of Auguste Escoffier is alive and well, passed on to a new generation of culinary talents at CCA Manila.

Meanwhile, another class takes its turn at the kitchen. Learning never stops at CCA Manila.

Chef Philip Golding wraps up the workshop with a short review of the day with the students. And do keep an eye out for this batch of young students, they'll soon rock the culinary scene just like the earlier batches and distinguished alumni from CCA Manila's growing roster of successful graduates. For more than twenty-five years, CCA Manila continues its mission of elevating the culinary scene. And the new campus at Bonifacio Global City is ready to take on the future...

CCA Manila is located at the University of the Philippines Campus in BGC, Taguig City, 1630, Metro Manila. You can visit their website and FB Page at https://cca-manila.edu.ph/ and https://www.facebook.com/ccamanila/ for more information and updates or call 0960 244 7697 for inquiries.

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