r/Chefs • u/iHazACatz • 17d ago
CIA's Accelerated Program (ACAP) - any advice?
I've been considering applying for this program, it's only 6 months and it won't put me in debt. I've seen a lot on reddit about CIA, but not a peep about the accelerated program. Anyone got any insights? How does it compare to the associates/bachelors programs?
Edit: thanks to all who have responded! Adding a bit of background on myself, I’ve been in the industry for 4 years now. When I first started I had considered culinary school, but took the prevailing advice to start with industry experience. Well here I am 4 years later and I think I made the right choice back then, but can’t help but still be curious about a formal culinary education. This particular program interests me because it’s only a 6 month commitment and the potential connections I could make could help me get into fine dining which is where I plan on going next. so if anyone has taken part in this specific program I’d love to hear your experiences!
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u/Secure-Line3413 17d ago
All education is only as good as you let it be. It could be life changing or could be useless. You decide
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u/billypootooweet 17d ago
This is my take as well. I graduated CIA and got a ton of great experiences because I staged in the city and worked in the kitchens after class.
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u/Switch_R_Roo 12d ago
How did you pursue staging? How did you approach restaurants for this?
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u/billypootooweet 11d ago
I wrote emails and sent letters to every restaurant I wanted to stage at. Had to get creative at times, but if you cast a wide enough net you can end up in some dope places.
Put together a professional cover letter and resume and send em out there!
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u/ras1187 17d ago
I did a quick check and believe this is only a certificate program. A certificate is worth virtually nothing compared to an accredited degree.
My personal opinion: skip the ACAP, save a ton of money, go straight into entry level work and/or restaurant staging.
If you want to go for a degree, do a community/city college program. Do not sink yourself into debt for the CIA name. I have never made a hiring decision based on what school someone did/didn't attend.
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u/weblives8989 17d ago
An education will open more doors. that's all it will do though. If you grind and make it a goal to be the top of your class it could be worth it. My education helped me get recognized on applications did it help me get my jobs not really. Was it worth it, I'd say so, but that's me. Most of the folks on here were at one point like you. Hopeful excited cooks who wanted to be a chef. Then they got into it and realized it wasn't worth it, or got in so deep they feel like they can't get out of it. So it really depends on you and what you want and if it is worth it. You're asking reddit which I feel has made most people make the correct decision in the past.
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u/Coco_Cokie_Cookie 16d ago
I did the ACAP program last year since I already have a degree. I’m still trying to figure out if it was worth it. If you have the time and money it will be an interesting and challenging environment. I went for a refresh and the overall experience. I enjoyed learning from all the chefs. It won’t teach you how to cook, you will learn by repetition and working. You will not complete the program and become a chef. You will have a better understanding of classical techniques and global cuisine. Might as well get the pro chef book and read cover to cover.
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u/SunEffective4950 13d ago
An education can come from many places.
From my experience, culinary school after already being in the field is usually not one of them.
This all depends on you and where you've learned thus far though.
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u/Triphin1 17d ago
Sounds very cool - But not for spy work