Chef John Folse Culinary Institute facts for kids
The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute is a special school at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It's named after Chef John Folse, who is famous for sharing Louisiana's amazing food with the world. People call him "Louisiana's Culinary Ambassador to the World" because he helps everyone learn about and enjoy the food from his home state.
Contents
A Taste of History
Why the Institute Started
Chef John Folse and the former president of Nicholls State University, Donald Ayo, had a big idea. They wanted to keep Louisiana's unique food and culture alive. Their goal was to teach future chefs, students, and even people from the community how to cook delicious Cajun and Creole dishes.
They also wanted to show how different cultures influenced this food. These influences came from Native American, Spanish, French, African, German, English, and Italian traditions.
How the Institute Grew
The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute started offering college classes in 1995. The first group of students began their studies in January 1996. At first, they could earn a two-year Associate of Science degree.
Then, in 1997, the Louisiana Board of Regents allowed Nicholls to offer a four-year bachelor's degree in culinary arts. This was a big deal because it was the first time a public university in the U.S. offered a four-year cooking degree. Today, about 200 students attend the institute. It is known as one of the university's best programs.
What Students Learn
Cooking Louisiana's Famous Dishes
In Chef John Folse's Cajun and Creole Cuisine class, students get to research and cook many famous Louisiana dishes. Imagine making Duck-Andouille-and-Oyster Gumbo or creamy Crawfish Bisque! They also learn to bake sweet treats like Sweet Potato Pecan Pie and Louisiana Fig Ice Cream.
Sometimes, famous chefs visit to share their knowledge. Chef Leah Chase from Dooky Chase Restaurant in New Orleans and Certified Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt have been guest chefs.
Degrees and Special Classes
The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute offers two types of degrees. You can earn a two-year Associate of Science Degree or a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree. Students learn classic cooking techniques while also focusing on the special foods of Louisiana.
Students can also choose from many interesting elective classes, such as:
- Culinary History of the South
- Food and Wine Pairing
- International Pastries
- Louisiana Seafood
- Regional French Cuisine
- Italian Cuisine
- Contemporary Cajun and Creole Cuisine
The culinary arts program is located in the Lanny D. Ledet Culinary Arts Building. This building is on the Nicholls State University campus and has a view of Bayou Lafourche.
