 | The success and longevity of any company doesn’t solely depend on its leaders but it is seen on the quality of its service through the people it has produced. This has been the case of one of the longest running culinary schools in the Philippines, the First Gourmet Academy. This year of 2018 marks the school’s 10th year in molding and making professional cooks and chefs not only in the country but to the rest of the world. Looking back from the day that its founder Chef Mats Loo established First Gourmet Academy, it has gained its reputation of serving the best quality in the hospitality and culinary industry. And for 10 years now it is good to know the significant developments that First Gourmet Academy achieved over the years. |
When they opened its door to the country, First Gourmet Academy already had partnership with one of the government institutions here to further enhance and widen its school services. In 2008, First Gourmet Academy received the first certificate to offer TECVOCH course specifically in Tourism sector by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA. In the following year, TESDA declared that the facility of First Gourmet Academy not only serve as a training facility but also an assessment center. The students of First Gourmet Academy also excel in different culinary competitions.
 | Because First Gourmet Academy is making waves abroad, this has caught the attention of some international Chefs to come and visit the school. In September 01, 2013 Chef Scott Boswell together with his Sous Chef Michael Detzel and Anne Fuglei went to the school and looked for graduates from First Gourmet Academy’s Diploma Program for one year internship program to his restaurants in Louisiana U.S.A. |  |
 | Because First Gourmet Academy is making waves abroad, this has caught the attention of some international Chefs to come and visit the school. In September 01, 2013 Chef Scott Boswell together with his Sous Chef Michael Detzel and Anne Fuglei went to the school and looked for graduates from First Gourmet Academy’s Diploma Program for one year internship program to his restaurants in Louisiana U.S.A. |
It is known now that the school’s founder Chef Mats Loo is a Swedish national so it is just proper that he was invited to visit Malacañang to pay his respect to the king of Sweden King Carl XVI Gustaf on January 24, 2014. And on that same year, it has been both an honor and privilege for Chef Mats Loo to cook for former President Noynoy Aquino and his cabinet members for a dinner event.
First Gourmet Academy continues to reap success in extending more its quality of culinary education in the Philippines. In the year 2015 the school has received recognition for the high quality education offered to its students by World Association of Chef Societies, Veterans Affair and Philippine Bureau of Immigration. In 2016, it also received the Certificate of Recognition by American Culinary Federation as First Gourmet Academy delivered a high quality standard of Culinary Art Education. First Gourmet Academy also put its focus on the employment of its students that is why in 2016 the school held the first Career Fair in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, First Place Inc., CareerInternship Abroad and Novotel Manila Araneta Center. Also important achievement of that year is getting its accreditation Certificate from TESDA to offer Ships Catering NC III the first institution in Quezon City to offer such. And this 2018 First Gourmet Academy is working hard to achieve its goal of getting another accreditation this time around in Commercial Cooking NC III and NC IV.
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As of to date, the school has already produced 502 students in the different hotels, restaurants not just in the Philippines but abroad as well. Here are some testaments from its former students.
"I choose First Gourmet Academy because I really know that they can greatly help and guide me in achieving my dream to become a Chef. They have their well-experienced instructors and very hands-on training as they have five (5) sessions in a week and devote 80% of the time on actual kitchen trainings where you can really gain and absorb knowledge. I highly recommend First Gourmet Academy to every one especially who wants to pursue a culinary career." – Mary Ann Luzon
"I choose First Gourmet Academy because of the quality education offered that outshine the other culinary schools." – Amiel Techon
"I choose First Gourmet Academy because it's the best school in the Philippines. I believe that if you want to be the best, you have to choose the best school, so that's why I enroll. " – Bryan Calanog
"Actually I choose First Gourmet Academy not because of its attractive name but because of the instructors. All I care about are their knowledge skills and attitude in culinary. And I'm proud to say that they all have those characteristics that I'm looking for." – Mark Jerome Justo
It is obvious now why First Gourmet Academy is the only choice to any aspiring chef to put their culinary dream and passion into reality. The school not only offers good education but it is well equipped with knowledgeable instructors and top of the line facilities.
