NOCCA
NOCCA is adding Culinary Arts to its specialized 4-year high school arts curriculum. The summer pilot programs are a huge success.
“We learn all the traditional methods that are taught at the university level culinary programs.” - Chef Michael Makuch, chef-instructor
Teaching Culinary as an Artform
Spring 2007 - In 2007, ELF funded the pilot program for 13 high-school aged students during NOCCA’s June Intensive Summer Session. Guest instructor Chef Scott Parker from Chef Emeril’s alma mater Johnson and Wales University taught the session, held at Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
Spring 2008 - This grant made possible the 2nd annual summer session for 19 high-school aged students during NOCCA’s Summer Session. The guest instructor Chef Michael Makuch, again from Johnson and Wales University, taught the session at Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
Fall 2008 - The enormous success of these programs funded by ELF has led NOCCA to announce it will add a four-year Culinary Arts program to its specialized arts curriculum, and ELF is committed to serving as a founding partner in this collaborative effort. ELF is proud to support this effort as the lead-donor with a grant to begin program and facility planning.
Spring 2009 - The third annual culinary intensive program will serve to 20 students and add a week, making it a 3-week intensive culinary instruction program. Chef Michael Makuch from Johnson & Wales will return to teach in a new location, the kitchens of the Ritz Carlton New Orleans.
Spring 2010 - Chef Michael Makuch from Johnson & Wales University will return to lead the 4th annual intensive summer session, held at the new kitchens at Grace King High School in Jefferson Parish. Expanded activities for this year include site visits to regional kitchens. This grant was given in honor of Emeril’s Restaurant’s 20th anniversary.
Also in Spring 2010, NOCCA received a grant from Emeril Lagasse Foundation to help turn exisiting classrooms into a professional teaching kitchen and classroom. The dream of a four year culinary arts program is now under construction!