The Culinary Studio Competitors

As the thought leader for the food world, the CIA develops and delivers vital initiatives through strong partnerships with education and industry leaders such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Marriott, Compass Group, and Hestan. CIA’s bachelor's, master’s, and associate degrees help professionals advance their careers and prepare for the emerging needs of the dynamic food and hospitality industry. CIA-led conferences, invitational retreats, collaboratives, annual reports, and digital media help foodservice professionals guide the next wave of change crucial to the industry. Many leading companies and organizations—Google, PepsiCo, and Unilever to name just a few—turn to CIA Consulting for business solutions and custom continuing education programs for food professionals. And the college’s exclusive, supportive network of 50,000+ alumni lead every segment of the food world and often looks to hire fellow grads.

Sur la table was founded in Seattle in 1972 by Shirley Collins, a woman with a passion for food and a fondness for community. Living in Seattle, she fell in love with Pike Place Market with its inspiring blend of products, artisans, and farmers. To her, it was a special gathering place for food lovers and culinary visionaries alike. When Shirley opened her first store in Pike Place Market, she was determined to assemble the best selection of cookware, gadgets, linens and books—even importing exclusive specialty items from France, her favorite culinary destination. Using the market as her inspiration, she thoughtfully filled her store with cooking tools that would bring people together in the kitchen and around the table. This sense of connection and love of French cuisine inspired the name Sur la table, which simply means “on the table.” Since then we’ve grown to 59 stores across America, with the largest avocational cooking program in the U.S. But some things haven’t changed: We’re still the place for an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table. We’re still passionate about cooking and entertaining, eager to share all we know. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers on a daily basis or providing the vital behind-the-scenes support, we’re all here for the same reason – to create happiness through cooking and sharing good food.

Taste Buds Kitchen specializes in fresh and unique cooking events. Our mission is to delight our guests through delicious culinary entertainment experiences! What began as a few holiday baking classes and cupcake-making birthday parties under the name Cupcake Kids! has grown into a nationally recognized brand. Today, Taste Buds Kitchen offers a diverse array of hands-on cooking adventures, including classes, birthday parties, camps, and special events. With a well-balanced mix of savory and sweet recipes, we create fun and memorable experiences for all ages, from 2 to 99. Taste Buds Kitchen has expanded from its flagship location in New York City to multiple franchise locations across the United States—and we’re rapidly growing! Our franchisees bring the joy of culinary entertainment to communities nationwide, fostering connections, learning, and creativity in the kitchen. Recognized as the “Best Kids Cooking Class” by New York Magazine and featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NBC, CBS, Fox News, and more, Taste Buds Kitchen is proud to be a leader in the culinary entertainment industry. Looking for a business opportunity with a proven model and national acclaim? Taste Buds Kitchen offers franchise opportunities for passionate entrepreneurs ready to bring our engaging cooking experiences to their communities. Join us in spreading the joy of cooking and create your own success story with Taste Buds Kitchen.