Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Alumni Spotlight: Erin McDowell

You may know her for her pies, or her helpful but relatable how-to videos, or maybe you just know her from Instagram, where you follow along for the occasional sighting of her little dog, Brimley! But here at the CIA, Erin McDowell is family, and like all of our alumni, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Eating Green on St. Patrick’s Day

Corned beef and cabbage is tasty, but if you’re throwing a green-themed St. Patrick’s Day party, we’ve got some recipes to match the mood! From drinks and snacks to the main course, try any of these dishes for a little luck o’ the Irish! Frozen Mint Limemade Guacamole Silken Tofu […]

Chef's Blog

Spotlight on the CIA San Antonio Campus

San Antonio is electric with energy emanating from the Pearl district, arguably the city’s coolest district to eat, drink, and rest your head. Located north of downtown San Antonio, the district is named for the former Pearl Brewery complex, which now anchors the neighborhood’s best shops, restaurants, and hang-out spots. […]

Chef's Blog

Plant-Forward, Plant-Powered—Explained at Last!

Ever since we first listed our “Plant-Powered Cooking Boot Camp” on the class calendar, I’ve been getting questions. People asked, “What does plant-powered or plant-forward cooking mean?” Really, it is a very simple concept that is deceptively hard to explain because people want to know the rules, boundaries, hard lines. […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Kitchen Vocab: Tagine

Tagine. It’s two words in one, though both are related. It is both a dish, and the dish the dish is made in! Get it yet? A tagine is a North African recipe of Berber origin and is a staple of Moroccan cuisine. Berber refers to the indigenous people of […]

Chef's Blog

Date Night at Home

Date night with your better half doesn’t necessarily mean making reservations at the newest restaurant in town. Sometimes you can create the best memories without leaving the comfort of your own home. Think outside the box when creating a dinner at home for two and try some of our favorite […]

Chef's Blog

“Ask a Chef” The Perfect Game-Day Burger

By Chef Hinnerk von Bargen The burger is a culinary phenomenon. Ubiquitous in the American lifestyle, it has also been introduced to almost every society and culture in the world. Just about everyone who has had a good burger is certain to ask for another one eventually. Its worldwide popularity […]