The Philippine School of Culinary Arts (PSCA) is an accredited culinary school by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the Philippine Government. Due to the ever growing demand for culinary professionals, both locally and internationally, PSCA was inspired to open its doors in February 2003.
Given that most culinary schools are concentrated in Metro Manila, the founders of PSCA decided to put up its own culinary institution in Cebu to accommodate students in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions. Surprisingly, a couple of residents from Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon have realized the advantages of enrolling at PSCA. Moreover, they have come to discover the rather relaxed and laidback lifestyle in Cebu.
PSCA is committed to achieving the highest international standards of culinary education. In fact, its preliminary course offerings were patterned similarly to the curriculum of American culinary schools, emphasizing on the classical French culinary techniques.
It is PSCA’s mission to mold their students to become professional world class chefs in the future. That is the reason why PSCA is constantly reviewing and broadening its curriculum to be at par with the international culinary scene. To date, PSCA has enhanced its curriculum by adding Philippine cuisine and other Southeast Asian cooking. The application of the principles of sanitation, nutrition and food science is likewise given emphasis.
Students enrolled at PSCA can expect a comprehensive training as its instructors and faculty members are individuals who have gone through years of solid industry experience in the Philippines and abroad. Plus, the various experiences the mentors gained are established through formal education and intensive training from prominent culinary schools abroad. Add to that, guest chefs from the USA and Canada, and some 5-star hotels/restaurants are periodically tapped to conduct lectures, seminars or cooking demonstrations.
This culinary school makes learning a pleasant experience for their students. PSCA has a large and spacious kitchen that is fully equipped with the necessary kitchen tools and utensils. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned.
The main objective of PSCA is to give its students a solid foundation of academic knowledge, practical skills and work ethics in order to become successful in their chosen culinary fields. In order to ensure that every student is given an adequate attention from the chef instructor, the number of students per class is deliberately kept to a small degree.
The student’s knowledge is validated through intensive hands-on kitchen training and on-the-job (OJT) training in actual work environments like 5-star hotels and specialty restaurants. The school also helps its students secure placements in internship programs outside the country.
image credits: Photography R Us
The school offers two professional programs, namely Culinary Arts Program and Baking and Pastry Arts Program.
PSCA’s Culinary Arts Program is completely ladderized, meaning the students have the opportunity to upgrade from a 5-month study on the Culinary Art fundamentals up to the 2-year Diploma on Culinary Arts and Patisserie.
The Baking and Pastry Arts Program, on the other hand, is a 9-month program, which upon completion of all the requirements, awards the student a Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts. The course covers 450 hours of classroom lectures and kitchen work, plus 300 hours of industry curriculum.
PSCA offers other short Professional Development Courses, as well. They are:
- Commercial Skills Upgrading Course for Teachers and Cooks
This course takes two (2) 4-hour sessions for ten (10) Saturdays, or twenty (20) 4-hour sessions on weekday evenings. - Cooking for Commissary Operations
This course takes ten (10) 4-hour sessions every Saturdays or weekday evenings. - Culinary Techniques for Product Development
This course takes ten (10) 4-hour sessions every Saturdays or weekday evenings. - Culinary Techniques for Household Food Preparation
This course takes twenty (20) 4-hour sessions every Fridays and Saturdays.
Short Recreational Cooking courses are also available, namely:
- Barkada-bonding cooking/baking sessions for groups
This is a culinary workshop for groups of at least six (6) people. Modules are customized according to the specific interest of the group. Course fee: Php10,000/session for a group of 6. - Corporate team-building cooking sessions
This could be an ideal team-building activity for some companies. Cooking sessions are customized and take place on weekends only.
PSCA offers Special Saturday Classes for working professionals contemplating a career shift to the culinary world. Customary training programs or short courses to culinary hobbyists or those who wish to improve their culinary skills in specific areas are available, as well.
For admission requirements, you may go to this URL: http://www.pscaculinary.com/admissions.php
The Philippine School of Culinary Arts is located at the 3rd floor of The Maxwell Hotel Annex Bldg, N. Escario St., Camputhaw, Cebu City, Philippines. For more information regarding their curriculum, you may contact them at (032)505-4645, or send [email protected] an e-mail message. You can also visit their Web site at www.pscaculinary.com
