General Presentation & Mission Statement
“The Vocational College that changes lives one ‘chef-student’ at a time.”
The Culinary Institute Lenôtre® (CIL) in Houston, Texas, is a community that aims to train and welcome the culinary experts of tomorrow into its international family of renowned chefs and hospitality workers.
The Institute was founded in 1998 by third generation French Chef Alain and Marie Lenôtre®. The Lenôtre name is known worldwide for its French cuisine and Pastry Art. At Culinary Institute Lenôtre, students will study both classic and contemporary culinary methods, learn to prepare hundreds of dishes and expand their knowledge of various topics related to the culinary arts including, for those enrolled in Associate Degree Programs, nutrition, menu development and wine fundamentals.
CIL offers 7 programs: four Elite Diploma Programs and three Associate Degree programs with the option of specialty electives such as Hotel, Hospitality and Restaurant Management, Lenôtre Sommelier or Advanced Artistic Skills of Pastry Décor.
Culinary Institute Lenôtre has developed a series of Seminars in Advanced Artistic Skills of Pastry Décor including studies in Specialty or Wedding Cakes Décor and French Chocolate and Sugar Showpieces.
The fame of the Culinary Institute Lenôtre grew from the success of its intensive hands-on training, small class size, and classic and innovative teaching from internationally experienced chef-instructors. CIL has five starts a year and schedules are adaptable to each student’s needs. For example, evening Lab classes are offered to students who may work during the day. Students who complete a FAFSA may be eligible to receive financial aid through federal grants and loans as well as through institutional scholarships based on merit and need. CIL also provides free language classes for international students or for anyone who would like to perfect language skills.
Culinary Institute Lenôtre offers unique fast-paced courses. In as little as 50 weeks, students can receive the training necessary for an Elite Diplôma. Students who wish to complete an Associate’s of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry Arts can complete their studies in just 80 weeks.
Culinary Institute Lenôtre is located in Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city in the United States. The city offers vibrant activities as well as numerous fine dining and shopping complexes. The Institute is constantly expanding and opening new Kitchen labs and offices. The main Campus features an award-winning on-site gourmet restaurant, Le Bistro, as well as an Organic Garden providing unique community bounds and garden to plate opportunities.
Student life at the school is exciting and active. Many events and cooking demonstrations happen throughout the year. (For example: Vanilla Extravaganza, Cacao Barry Demos, Pregel, Mercer, Rational or Student Appreciation Days…) Follow our event calendar on Facebook.
CIL students also have the opportunity to do their externship in France for the summer if they qualify. Additionally, numerous field trips are organized year-round like the Culinary Study Tour to discover a Region’s gastronomical assets.
Culinary Institute Lenôtre provides lifelong career assistance that prepares students for professional opportunities such as opening their own business whether it is a restaurant, a bakery, a catering business or a food truck. In 2014, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Culinary Institute Lenôtre had the highest employment rate among culinary schools in Texas.
Culinary Institute Lenôtre has currently over 360 active students and employs 14 full-time Chefs-instructors.
“I claim that we change lives because I notice so much change in our students’ personalities after they spend 20 to 30 weeks with us. They develop their artistic talents, they have more self-esteem, they make many friends, and they plan ahead for their professional career.” Alain Lenôtre says.
MISSION STATEMENT
CULINARY INSTITUTE LENÔTRE
Aspires to be recognized as providing the best possible Diploma and Associate of Applied Science Degree programs through:
Intensive hands-on training
Low student / teacher ratio
Challenging students to learn a maximum in a minimum amount of time
Classic and innovative training from internationally experienced chef-instructors
Helping each student to reach his / her full professional potential
Preparing students in leadership and management positions
Applying its philosophy of TRADITION, QUALITY, AND RESPECT