About
Our Culinary Students
Ages 12–17. From all over the country. United by a love of food.
19
Years Running
3,000+
Chef Graduates
10
Cities
12–17
Ages Served
Who We Serve
Every Kind of Teen. One Shared Passion.
Our students come from all backgrounds — some have been cooking since they could reach the counter, others are picking up a knife for the first time. What they share is curiosity, creativity, and a genuine excitement about food.
Summer Culinary is designed for ages 12–17. We group students by age and experience level so everyone is challenged at the right level — and no one feels left behind or held back.
Read more references HERE
In Their Words
What Students Say
“I came in thinking I already knew how to cook. I left realizing I had so much more to learn — and I couldn't wait to keep going.”
— NYC 2024, Age 16
“The best part wasn't the food. It was the people. I made friends I still talk to every week.”
— Seattle 2024, Age 14
“I was nervous the whole drive there. By the end of Day 1, I didn't want to leave.”
— San Francisco 2023, Age 13
Our Community
Where They Come From. Where They Go.
When students leave they have vastly improved their skills, and even more importantly, they have found their voice, built their confidence, learned to ask for what they need, and made a whole new group of friends who are into the same thing! They leave with real skills, new friends, and a confidence in the kitchen that stays with them long after camp ends.
Our graduates go on to high school culinary programs, college food science and hospitality majors, and careers in the restaurant industry. Many come back as counselors. Some come back as chefs.
What they all share: a week that changed how they think about themselves, seeing food as creativity, and discovering what they're capable of.
Graduate Profile
Interview with Zoe — campusNYC Alumni
Zoe attended campusNYC in 2014 and 2015 and went on to apply to Johnson & Wales University and other top schools. We sat down with Zoe and her mom Kimberly to hear about her transformation.
From Zoe
When did you attend campusNYC? How many summers?
For two summers — 2014 and 2015. I wish I had known about it earlier.
How did campusNYC help you become a better chef?
The experience made me a better chef in many ways. I became more calm in the kitchen, learned to keep my station clean, and stay on task.
What was your favorite part of campusNYC?
Always learning new techniques and recipes is amazing — but also meeting new friends that I still stay in touch with summers later. That's the icing on the cake.
What culinary schools did you apply to?
I applied to Johnson & Wales University and the French Institute of America.
What was the application process like?
The applications were long and it felt weird to brag about myself.
Tell us about the school you were accepted to.
I was accepted into both schools. I felt like anything was possible. Getting the call from Johnson & Wales right before work made that day so much better. When I got accepted into the French Institute of America it was an even more memorable moment!
What are your plans for the future?
To one day own my own food truck business.
What is your favorite thing to cook?
I love to bake. My favorite thing to bake would have to be fried or baked doughnuts.
Any advice for future campusNYC students?
Have fun, work hard, and consider whether you want to pursue cooking or baking as a career. You will make a lot of friends — keep in touch with them.
— Zoe, culinary high school student
From Zoe's Mom, Kimberly
Why did you choose to send Zoe to campusNYC?
Zoe has always had a love for cooking, especially baking and pastry. When the camp she was supposed to work at as a CIT shut down, we researched other opportunities. It was a no-brainer that this would be perfect for Zoe — and being an overnight program was ideal. We only wished it were more than two weeks!
How did you find us?
I had heard good things about your Summer Culinary experience and was so pleased to find a NYC camp when I searched online.
How happy were you with Zoe's experience?
This was the most fabulous experience for Zoe. We all felt welcomed as a campusNYC family from day one. There was warmth from the Director, counselors, chefs, campers, and housing staff. The combination of a full-day cooking agenda with after-hours activities made for an extraordinary experience and memories!
What was it like when Zoe got accepted to CIA?
Everyone was so excited — I screamed literally with joy! Zoe was accepted to all the culinary schools she applied to. We couldn't have been more proud. Knowing she is following her passion makes us extremely happy as parents.
Advice for parents considering culinary school?
Focus on the school that is right for your child. Research the chefs and educators — it's not about how many famous people attended, but how they prepare your child. Understand how the school connects students to internships and employment. And plan ahead financially; costs are close to other private schools.
Any thoughts for parents thinking about campusNYC?
If you can afford to do it — sign up now! It will be the best gift for your child. I highly recommend the full overnight experience. Campers get to know one another, have a real collegiate experience, and spend quality time together.
— Kimberly
19 Summers of Culinary Discovery
Is Your Teen Ready?
Summer 2026 sessions are open. Enroll today before spots fill up.