The Natural Gourmet Institute is located in New York City. The program emphasizes an understanding of nutrition, including approaches associated with theories of disease prevention. The natural emphasis of the school includes a study of the benefits of organic meat, and the school is affiliated with the Slow Food Movement. Students are expected to complete a 100-hour restaurant internship. The New York location provides students with exposure to a wide variety of ethnic and specialty restaurants.
The Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts is a chain of colleges founded by Dr. Edward Bauman, a holistic health and nutrition expert. The school has three locations throughout California and one in Colorado. Each school offers a five-month Natural Chef training program. Students learn about therapeutic cooking for patients with cancer and other health issues, alternative ingredients and whole food theories of cooking.
The Professional School of Natural Cookery is located in Boulder, Colorado. The school teaches a non-traditional improvisational culinary philosophy where recipes are not used. The school's method is called the Language of Cooking and involves an understanding of food theory based on intuition and the principles of nutrition. The 16-week program includes studies of whole grains, alternative proteins and creating balanced meals.
The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts is located in Austin, Texas. The professional culinary program includes special emphasis on Macrobiotic, Vegan, raw food and Ayurvedic cooking techniques. The word Epicurean refers to an appreciation of the sensual pleasures of life. The program is 900 hours long, including an externship. In accordance with the philosophy of the program, students who are strictly vegan do not have to cook with eggs or dairy.