Culinary Institute of Virginia

"“Everyone is disappointed in you and you only bring everyone down” - one of the teachers. I needed antidepressants just to finish. I heard two teachers joking on how new and our skills weren't good enough. This school was hell for me if it werenot for one person there I would not have made it. They didn't even give me my degree or tell me where to attend graduation. The degree is not worth it unless you want to work 70hrs no holidays or weekends for little pay for the rest of your life. The field is full of so many bitter and awful people. Don't attend unless you know what your getting into."

"When I decided to go to Culinary School I had my doubts about going back to school, it wasn't until I got a call from the Culinary Institute of Virginia asking me to attend a career fair, I agreed to go and was impressed on what was presented. After the career fair I applied, and was excepted, during my initial interview I was terrified scared that I had gotten myself into something I couldn't get out of and wanted to back out, but I loved to cook and I wanted to learn all could about the ends and out of the kitchen. As I a sat in the Directors office shaking like a leaf, the director leans over and says " its going to be okay and its going to be one of your best decisions " and she was right, joining the culinary institute of Virginia was not only one of the best decisions I have ever made but one of the best schools I have ever attended. My experience there was worth the cost, I learned so much and had so much support from my friends and family and the staff at the school, if I had a question or a problem the staff was right there to help in anyway they could and made my experience their amazing. I can now say I am a proud graduate of ECPI Culinary Art Institute of Virginia and I'm headed back for an degree in baking in pastry. I thank you Culinary Institute of Virginia for making it easy to accomplish the goal I set out to achieve, which is to graduate with an associates degree."

"I got my associates in baking and pastry. All my chef were great. They all new I had a learning disability and worked with me. I recommend kids there all the time. I have worked for 2 local bakeries in northern Virginia since graduating and now own my own bakery since November of 2018. The only thing that could be better would be the career advisor. They were pretty much saying I wouldn’t get anywhere by starting off with an internship and not an externship. Also kept telling me I could make more then what I was making right out of school. When I didn’t care about how much I was making and was wanting experience."

"This school has been an amazing took on my way. They are genuinely care about each and every student. I have learned not only what is needed in the industry but also life lessons and secrets. I have made life long friends forged great connections and shared so many laughs and tears here. While I'm sure there are bigger well known schools NOTHING could have better than C.I.V. I will always be proud of what this school has given me and the amazing staff that helped me achieve my goals."

"Going here is one of the best “grown up” decisions I’ve ever made!! The chefs, instructors, and staff are all very knowledgeable and willing to share everything they know. They push you to learn and try new things and it gives you confidence in yourself, and in the program. There are a lot of opportunities within the program as well (job opportunities, volunteer opportunities, Disney interviews, to name a few). It really is a great place. My last day of class I wished I was starting over the next day. I got my degree at 50 years old and while I’m not in the industry (yet ;)), it was a blast and I’m having a great time honing the skills I learned at CIV."