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Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head

September 8, 2016

A world-class culinary college

Rooted in Hawai‘i’s culinary past and present, the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head (CIP Diamond Head) will be a world-class culinary college dedicated to providing the best culinary education in the Pacific by preparing students to be at the forefront of the burgeoning culinary industry.

Different from any other culinary school in the world, CIP Diamond Head will provide students with an opportunity to learn and be inspired by a modern Hawai‘i cuisine that is always evolving— a representation of the diversity of our people and the many cooking styles, traditions and ingredients that have been brought to the islands.

CIP renderings of restaurant and auditorium

Advanced Professional Culinary Education

Located at the former site of the Ft. Ruger Cannon Club, CIP Diamond Head will be home to the Advanced Professional Certificate in culinary arts program. Acting as both a central hub and launching point for culinary education in Hawai‘i, CIP Diamond Head will support culinary students from Hawai‘i and beyond by offering advanced culinary arts curriculum, while also providing a clear pathway to four-year-degree programs.

Continuing culinary arts students with an Associate of Science degree in culinary arts or equivalent can continue on to CIP Diamond Head, where they will take a third year of advanced culinary courses. The CIP Diamond Head Advanced Professional Certificate in culinary arts can then articulate into either the UH West O‘ahu four-year Bachelor of Applied Science degree in culinary arts with a concentration in culinary management, or the UH Mānoa four-year Bachelor of Science degree in food science and human nutrition with a culinology track.

Empowered with the full range of culinary arts, science and management skills, graduates will benefit from higher wages and increased job opportunities.

CIP renderings of restaurant and bar

Representing the Best

CIP Diamond Head will continually create and integrate the most cutting-edge practices into academic curriculum by keeping abreast of the latest developments in culinary arts and food service. This will draw culinary students from around the world, and attract top-notch faculty who value innovation and creativity. CIP Diamond Head faculty will represent the best in traditional Western, Asian and Pacific cuisines as well as modern fusion cuisines.

CIP Diamond Head will operate as both an instructional facility and learning laboratory, with an on-site restaurant. With these resources, the campus will be able to bring in renowned chefs from around the world as visiting chefs-in-residence, enhancing what core teaching faculty have to offer with continued opportunities for exchange and collaboration. In addition to formal education, CIP Diamond Head will also host professional conferences and workshops in the areas of health, agriculture, sustainability, world cuisines and cultures, and innovation.

Be Part of the Vision

Generous donations have already been received, which will be recognized with named spaces in the institute, however more private support is needed to fully complete the facility and growing our fund for startup costs. Please consider making an investment in the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head.

It takes a public and private partnership to realize the vision of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. Shown here at the celebration after the first phase of construction are Governor David Ige and Mrs. Ige, Kapi‘olani CC Chancellor Louise Pagotto and University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner.
It takes a public and private partnership to realize the vision of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. Shown here at the celebration after the first phase of construction are Governor David Ige and Mrs. Ige, Kapi‘olani CC Chancellor Louise Pagotto and University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner.

The University of Hawai‘i is the only public higher education system in the state and has had a long and successful history of offering outstanding culinary training programs through its community colleges.

cip rendering

History And Phases

The first phase of CIP Diamond Head construction began in September 2015 and was completed in the first quarter of 2017. The initial phase included one advanced multi-function American/European Lab, one Advanced Asian Lab, an Outdoor Cooking Area, restrooms, student lounge, storage room, support building and one of two parking lots as well as utilities infrastructure for current and future facilities.

The second phase of construction on the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head includes a future Signature Restaurant, Demonstration Competition Auditorium, Innovation Center, and more. Financing of the construction is a mix of generous private support from individuals, corporations and foundations, and a State match.

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Questions? / More Information

If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808 376-7800 or send us a message.