Two industry powerhouses, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and Omni Hotels & Resorts, announce the unique, practical and educational partnership designed to address the critical chef shortage facing professional kitchens and restaurants across the country.
Through the new partnership, Escoffier offers its 100 percent online apprenticeship-model culinary programs and externships for Omni Hotel & Resorts’ employees to take advantage of while they continue to work within the organization. Working directly with an Escoffier chef instructor, employees participating in the online program can apply their work experience at Omni toward their externship requirement.
The partnership also includes an Escoffier $2,000 per student tuition discount, along with additional financial aid options for employees who qualify. Students can graduate with either a Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations or Diploma in Professional Pastry Arts, from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).
“We’ve looked at the chef shortage crisis from all sides and are encouraged to be in the distinct position to offer our world-class culinary curriculum and programs for employees at all of Omni Hotels & Resorts properties,” said Tracy Lorenz, Escoffier’s president and CEO. “Our industry-recognized online programs aren’t bound by geography and give employees the freedom and flexibility to take classes that fit within their schedules and apply externship requirements that develop and deepen culinary skills and knowledge. We see this apprenticeship model as a positive way to address the shortage of culinary professionals and enhance retention and advancement opportunities in the workforce.”
In addition to campus-based degree and diploma programs, Escoffier is the only accredited institution to offer fully online professional diploma programs, including externships, in the United States. Escoffier is also offering two full scholarships, (value $16,000 each), for more details on employee nomination criteria, visit escoffier.edu/omni.
“This partnership allows us to immediately invest in our talented employees and give them new and exciting pathways for advancement,” said Devin Burns, vice president of food and beverage at Omni Hotels & Resorts. “The online program and tuition incentives make earning an Escoffier education an achievable goal for our full-time culinary professionals and gives them practical ways to develop skills and put them into practice.”