Organic cooking schools provide in-depth training in the areas of sustainable food selection and preparation, gourmet cooking with organic food, and living a sustainable lifestyle. Organic cooking schools offer both classroom instruction and hands-on training for students who want to learn how to cook and eat healthier, understand the importance of selecting locally grown food and also learn about sustainable environmental practices.
According to the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) organization, the first certified organic cooking school in the United States is the Patty James Cooking School and Nutrition Center in Sebastopol, California. This school offers cooking and nutrition classes, nutritional counseling and online courses for people who want to learn how to cook with organic ingredients.
Other culinary schools that offer organic cooking classes and classes about sustainable foods include the Institute of Culinary Education in New York; the Natural Gourmet Cookery School in New York City; the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont; the Arizona Culinary Institute in Scottsdale; and the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.
All of these schools offer a certificate or diploma upon completion.
Some organizations such as OrganicTuscany.org offer programs where students spend the night in a Tuscan villa, explore local organic farms for ingredients, and learn about biodynamic wine at the vineyards around the villa. Educational programs may also include hands-on instruction from local organic chefs, wine and cheese tasting classes, nutritional education, and workshops related to healthy living and longevity.
According to AllCulinarySchools.com, culinary vacations that teach the principles of organic cooking and sustainable foods are available around the globe, giving students a chance to travel and learn about different cultures as they fine tune their organic cooking skills.
According to SustainableTable.org, many organic cooking schools and culinary schools offering organic cooking classes show students how to seek out local ingredients from farmers in their region, visit local cheese makers and shop for products at local farmers markets. Specialized classes at an organic cooking school may also include composting, genetically modified foods, organic labeling standards, nutrition and diet, and skills training for preparing gourmet meals using organic ingredients.
Organic cooking schools are not the only places a student can learn about organic eating and food preparation, or sustainable food practices. Organic cooking classes may be offered in small towns and cities at health and wellness centers, health food stores, organic grocery stores, and by independent farmers and local chefs that are passionate about organic cooking. While these programs do not provide students with a diploma, certificate or degree, they do allow the student to gain the knowledge and training they need to understand the organic food and sustainable eating philosophies.