The Northwest Academy is a progressive and unique chef training school built, owned, and operated by its dedicated chef instructors.

Our teaching philosophy is based upon creating the ultimate student learning experience. We concluded that if we were to start all over in the field as students - based on what we now know as ex-students, apprentices, professional chefs, and experienced chef instructors - we would want to be taught in a school that:
is intimate, quality (not quantity) driven, with instructors that are passionate, enthusiastic, inspiring, attentive, well connected to the industry, and, most importantly, qualified to TEACH. A school is only as good as its instructors!
screens for students that are mature, passionate, driven, positive, and qualify for an intensive, adult-based learning experience. The Northwest instructors, as owners, do all the admissions for we believe quality education is also determined by the quality of its students. In fact, our work and reputation depend on our students!

acknowledges and addresses the diverse backgrounds and histories of its students and their varying personal reasons to study this fascinating art and science, whether they are 18 or 55, with or without industry experience.
focuses all its energy on only one group of students per term, and its intensive curriculum on greater hands-on skills and necessary aptitudes to succeed in various avenues in this field.

creates a challenging learning environment of exciting energy, intense work ethic, study, creativity, and teamwork.

offers programs that are affordable, practical, and condensed - without fillers.

is closely connected to the industry and the expectations of today's students. We concluded that a chef-designed, chef-administrated, and chef-owned school, very much like a chef-owned fine dining restaurant, free of management restrictions, can best provide a personalized experience for its students. We approach our students like the restaurant chef approaches his/her customers: observe, listen to feedback, and evolve accordingly. thus we, your instructors, are best qualified to connect your potential to the next step of your culinary education. And, this relationship lasts well past graduation as career paths develop.

Please see Anatomy of a Day at NWCAV and the NWCAV Videos.