Great school to learn start your career in Food Service. Instructors are professional Chefs...

When I decided to go to Culinary School I had my doubts about going back to school, it wasnt until I got a call from the Culinary Institute of Virginia asking me to attend a career fair, I agreed to go and was impressed on what was presented. After the career fair I applied, and was excepted, during my initial interview I was terrified scared that I had gotten myself into something I couldnt get out of and wanted to back out, but I loved to cook and I wanted to learn all could about the ends and out of the kitchen. As I a sat in the Directors office shaking like a leaf, the director leans over and says its going to be okay and its going to be one of your best decisions and she was right, joining the culinary institute of Virginia was not only one of the best decisions I have ever made but one of the best schools I have ever attended. My experience there was worth the cost, I learned so much and had so much support from my friends and family and the staff at the school, if I had a question or a problem the staff was right there to help in anyway they could and made my experience their amazing. I can now say I am a proud graduate of ECPI Culinary Art Institute of Virginia and Im headed back for an degree in baking in pastry. I thank you Culinary Institute of Virginia for making it easy to accomplish the goal I set out to achieve, which is to graduate with an associates degree.

I got my associates in baking and pastry. All my chef were great. They all new I had a learning disability and worked with me. I recommend kids there all the time. I have worked for 2 local bakeries in northern Virginia since graduating and now own my own bakery since November of 2018. The only thing that could be better would be the career advisor. They were pretty much saying I wouldn’t get anywhere by starting off with an internship and not an externship. Also kept telling me I could make more then what I was making right out of school. When I didn’t care about how much I was making and was wanting experience.

I attended CIV going on three years. I am currently working on my third degree and its been a lot of fun doing hands on in the culinary arts program. I told a lot of people about it . they help me a lot with things such as math. I havent been in school in over 35 years and for me to get 3 degrees that saying a lot about the school .I would encourage everyone to come the programs go a lot faster then most school.

Just enrolled here started class a week ago so far so good loving the staff and chefs everyone has shown respect and helped with all my questions

This school was way more than a waste of my time, every chef I had told me to drop out at least once, just because I wasnt catching on to the material fast enough. All staff there, professors, administration, etc. Are not helpful or considerate in anyway. I only had pleasant experiences with Donna, and career services. Funny how career services cared more about the students than the actual professors. By the end of it I only stuck around to get my degree so I could rub it in their faces.Save your time, and your money and go to a school that actually means something to somebody and not this rinky-dink excuse for a school.

ECPIs Culinary Institute of Virginia has been an amazing experience. I used my GI Bill to enroll in their Associates Degree in the Culinary Arts and found a program, staff and faculty dedicated to my success as a student. Whether you are someone going to college for the first time, or like me your third, you will thoroughly enjoy the experience. If you are someone who enjoys cooking and wants to take it to the next level, check out the program, you will love it!

This school has been an amazing took on my way. They are genuinely care about each and every student. I have learned not only what is needed in the industry but also life lessons and secrets. I have made life long friends forged great connections and shared so many laughs and tears here. While Im sure there are bigger well known schools NOTHING could have better than C.I.V. I will always be proud of what this school has given me and the amazing staff that helped me achieve my goals.

Going here is one of the best “grown up” decisions I’ve ever made!! The chefs, instructors, and staff are all very knowledgeable and willing to share everything they know. They push you to learn and try new things and it gives you confidence in yourself, and in the program. There are a lot of opportunities within the program as well (job opportunities, volunteer opportunities, Disney interviews, to name a few). It really is a great place. My last day of class I wished I was starting over the next day. I got my degree at 50 years old and while I’m not in the industry (yet ;)), it was a blast and I’m having a great time honing the skills I learned at CIV.

I got out the military and started at this college. I graduated in 2011 and it was one of the best places to start my journey. I learned alot and it has help me elevate my career. I tell people all the time if they are looking for a career change to go to this college. Now I have a full time catering service in Chicago and work part time downtown.Thank you for the experience.

Great institution and welcoming learning environment. CIV places you in the position to pursue any area of culinary arts that you desire. Definitely recommend to everyone looking for a Culinary school.

I have nothing but positive things to say about this school! The chefs and administrative staff sincerely want each of us to succeed. They are incredibly supportive, even lending a listening ear for us to vent when frustrations run high. It gets tough, pressure mounts, and competition is high especially in this field that we chose for our destiny. CIV prepares us for whats to come. Some of us arent designed to withstand this level of pressure, maybe look within for our true fit?#civproud

Can be stressful but the faculty is always there to help.

Not only do they charge way too much. The staff is rude and judgemental. They refuse to give you your needed transcripts because you still owe on your student loans as well. Nothing but problems for over 2 years now. Would give them 0 stars if possible. Dont waste your time or money.

Long story short, don’t waste your time and money at this greedy school. Go to a restaurant and work your way up. This school only cares about their name and their full pockets. The administration barely does their job, the teachers have extreme favoritism and slack off, and the heads of the school only care about themselves and the school. So many of my classmates lives got messed up over a small thing, like not finishing their exit interview, and having ALL of their credits revoked that they paid for. Save yourself some time, stress, and money by staying far away from CIV and ECPI.

If you are considering this for profit school, dont. You would get a better education at a public community college and then transfer to a 4 year. ECPI is facing a ton of ligation just like Ai and other for profit schools.

Great place for culinary school. Earned two degrees will be working on another soon.

The Culinary Institute of Virginia (ECPI) is a complete waste of money and a total rip-off. If you are thinking about pursuing an education there - dont. Youll make more money and have a brighter future taking a job at a Chic Fila (and have zero debt) than you will with a degree from CIV.Many of the classrooms are chaotic, and non-conducive to adult education. We experienced problems with multiple instructors who were verbally abusive, yelled at students and demeaned them publicly, and were generally unable to foster learning friendly environments.Several of the instructors were ill prepared to manage the electronic posting and submission of assignments, and refused to give credit when electronically submitted assignments were corrupted by the website or lost.The local employers attending the CIV sponsored job fairs refused to offer anything other than part time work which paid $8 an hour or less to graduates and externs.My wife had an emergency medical situation on the Norfolk campus which forced her to take medications that made it unsafe for her to drive and was later accused of skipping class and throwing her fellow students under a bus by the instructor.There were security and safety issues on the Newport News Campus where students threatened or accosted other students but were not handled adequately and the perpetrators are not held responsible.CIV is a for profit business that delivers poor customer service, and a negative overall return on investment to its paying clients. If you are seeking a degree in the culinary arts, it is our opinion you would be much better served spending your hard earned money somewhere elsewhere.22 months and over 10K in debt later: Putting my wife through CIV is one of the worst decisions we ever made and have to spend the next 20 years paying off :(

Did a Casual Gourmet class and had a great time.

Clean, pleasant, good service, good desserts.