Northern Specialty Supplies
Menu

2-Week Boot Camp

Tie up those boot straps, bring your brain, notepad, willing hands, all-on courage and take the most fulfilling ride of your life.  This course simulates the intensive learning curve that the pros experience.

Enthusiast Alumni

I really did not know what to expect when I showed up but I do know that I enjoyed the people I met and I think the whole operation was run as professionally as anyone could expect when dealing with personalities.  As for the instruction, I don’t think it could have been any better when dealing with different levels of competence and commitment.  I enjoyed the whole experience and would highly recommend it (and have) to anyone that is interested in improving their culinary skills.

Rick

Master Camp

As an adult educator myself, I really valued how all the chefs taught with so much patience, humour, passion, and mastery of the subject area…which is pretty much as good as it gets in education. The personal stories (and rants), scientific explanations, historical references and sharing of food values really made the experience special and memorable. I also really appreciated that you all took the time to get to know us a little and to check-in with us throughout each week.

Polly

Master Camp

I loved the experience, realized right away how little I knew and know now how much more I need and want to learn.  The instructors have very different personalities and teaching styles. That provides for a lot of variety and keeps the days and weeks interesting. I also really appreciated that they always made themselves available to provide individual coaching during and also after the daily classes. And thank you for slowly leading us up to a seven-course menu development (The Big Night) over several weeks. Thank you so much for all your teaching and sharing! You are a fantastic group.

Carola

Master Camp

The facilities are first class, the curriculum provides the students with incredible exposure to the art of cooking and the worldly knowledge of the chefs, their energy, and dedication to making the daily experience “serious fun” simply incredible!  For me personally, Northwest has delivered its promise of changing one’s view of the culinary world making it accessible, challenging and very exciting.  The course has energized me to continue exploring, being creative and taking chances in the kitchen as well as honing some skills.

Ernie

Master Camp

I feel that this course came for me at the perfect time…..what is that old Daoist saying – the teacher(s) arrive when the student is ready…I have no doubt that I will see the ripple effects of this learning for me for a long time to come.

Tonya

Boot Camp

Program Overview

Tie up those boot straps, bring your brain, note pad, sharp knives (you’ll learn to sharpen a dull one), willing hands, courage and take the most fulfilling ride of your life. This course simulates the intensive learning curve that our professional students experience. The big win? Stimulate an intensive commitment and emerge with the confidence and courage (the two “C’s” key to any growth) that you would never achieve otherwise. The course culminates with The Big Night—a five-course menu which you will compose and execute with teammates, and serve at Northwest to your invited guests. There is no formal cost for the dinner, but we do ask for a small donation to organizations we support in the community.

You are more than welcome to supply your own toolkit or purchase one from us. Our toolkit comes with the following:

  • Japanese-style chef’s knife
  • Boning knife
  • Metal pastry scraper
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Kitchen scissors
  • Handmade Knife roll
  • Paring knife
  • Plating tweezers
  • Measuring spoon
  • 4″ off-set spatula
  • PRE-REGISTER FOR 2019

    APRIL CLASS

    PROGRAM

    2 Week Boot Camp

    DATE

    Our 2018 class is underway

    Look for it again:
    April 29 to May 10, 2019
    9:30am – 3pm

    TUITION

    $2,250 (tax, uniform included)

    Register before Nov. 30 to
    receive a free toolkit

    Sign Up Now

Refund policy: 90% Refund up to 30 days prior to class starting, 50% refund less than 30 days and more than 15 days and no refund within 14 days of class starting

Curriculum

Notes, demonstrations, and kitchen work explain the “why’s” and “how’s” of fine cooking techniques. You learn how chefs think, create, find inspiration, develop trust and instinct, and plate food. A list of dishes and preparations performed is outlined below.

  • Knife cuts and Knife Sharpening
  • Mise en Place
  • Gazpacho, grain salad
  • Chicken and fish butchery
  • Broths, stocks and sauces
  • Cooking techniques like searing, braising, deep frying and poaching
  • Canapés
  • Intro to seafood and meat
  • Vinaigrettes and Emulsions (Mayonnaise and Hollandaise)
  • Egg cookery (omelets, poached eggs, etc.)
  • Cooking the Perfect Steak
  • Tomato sauce
  • Pasta essentials and more
  • Salads (from basic to complex)
  • Regional cuisines (Asia, Middle East, Italian, Latino, etc.)

AND MUCH MORE

Frequently
Asked Questions

What level of proficiency do I require?

What is a typical flow of a day?

Who typically takes this course?

What do I need to bring?

What if I have food sensitivities, allergies, or dietary restrictions?

What is parking like in the area?

Other Enthusiast Programs

  • 6-Day Basics I: A Fresh Start + Hand-Eye Opener

    If you are ready to bringing serious game to your kitchen, this course will elevate your knowledge, basic skills, and confidence like no other.

    Learn More
  • NEW - PRE REGISTER FOR 2019

    7-Week Master Culinary Boot Camp

    Want to experience the techniques and recipes that we teach our professional students without the stress of exams? This course is for you!

    Learn More
  • New Format!

    6-Day Basics II: The Next Level of Courage + Creativity

    If you are ready to challenge yourself to think, perform, investigate, and tie your apron just a bit more seriously, then this course is for you.

    Learn More

  • 6 Day Butchery: Whole Meats

    Breaking down and knowing different meat cuts and how to cook them is everything. This course takes hands-on to another level.

    Learn More
  • New Format!

    6-Day Pastry Basics

    Great bread and pastries, from an artisanal sourdough, croissant, and cream puff are about basics done absolutely well. Take home products and new skills beyond your expectations.

    Learn More

  • 3-Week Plant Based Culinary Boot Camp

    A comprehensive course focusing on our summer’s bounty, serious techniques, and achieving wonderful food. We teach the same key skills, creative thinking, and plating techniques as in our professional programs. For those ready to seriously walk the walk in the kitchen.

    Learn More

The instructors possess both a passion for teaching and an approach to cooking which resonated deeply with me. They approach cooking as a creative endeavor with the “kitchen as studio” as the mindset. You of course learn technique (along with great food history!), but they also push hard to help you cultivate courage and confidence in the kitchen and to become your own unique type of chef. The entire team at NWCAV is really amazing.

Mark A.

Throughout my time at NWCAV, I improved my flavour game and learned much more. By the end of the program, I found myself much more comfortable cooking dishes from other countries introduced to me during the Master Camp such as fresh made pasta and gnocchi. As the program progressed, many of the later recipes required foundation knowledge and skill sets from previous days of learning. I have been to about a dozen schools in my life time because my family moved very often and I have to say these instructors at NWCAV were the best instructors I have met.

Mike Z.

After completing the Master Camp I can honestly say that it was everything I wanted, I have no inclination to continue in the industry but I am sure that this would give you a good idea of what the business is about. As for the instruction, each chef was extremely knowledgeable and as different as their personalities were they all brought something different to the table. The chef to student ratio was extremely high, answers and ideas were never far away. Each chef was very entertaining in their own way and it was a real pleasure getting to know them.

Rick K.

Such a great school! Amazing instructors and great curriculums. Absolutely no regrets taking the one year program.

Kimmee L.

If food is your true passion and you are sitting miserable behind an office desk right now pretending to be interested in what you are doing, this is for you. I encourage you to take one moment and glance at the Northwest Culinary Academy website. The professional programs offered there are a non-conventional rounded approach to food and cooking. Forget your notion of out-dated cooking schools and military kitchen systems. At Northwest, and in addition to acquiring a slaying culinary skill set, you are learning about farming, balance in food, plating design, creative thinking, grace under pressure. One of the best decisions of my life.

Shathel H.

More About
Northwest Culinary Academy

NWCAV Graduates