California Culinary Academy Ushers in a New Era

The renowned cooking school moves to Potrero Hill and opens new restaurant

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - California Culinary Academy (CCA) announced today that it will transition all of its programs to its Potrero Hill campus, and will close the facility at 625 Polk Street. In conjunction with the transition, CCA's longstanding student-run restaurant, The Carême Room, will close, and on Wednesday. May 28th, the school will launch Carême 350, a new student-run fine-dining establishment connected to its main campus at 350 Rhode Island Street.

Over its 27 year history, The Carême Room has hosted events for local nonprofits, welcomed dignitaries, and provided a gourmet dining experience at bargain prices to visitors, workers, and residents in San Francisco's Civic Center area. A farewell dinner for CCA alumni and friends will mark the close of the famed dining room Friday evening.

While wistful in departing the school's long-time home, CCA faculty, staff, and students are looking forward to focusing more resources on its modern facility in Potrero Hill, and to building new relationships within that community. The institution has already begun to make important connections with its District 10 neighbors and most recently began providing student chefs to the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House who prepare and serve snacks and meals five days a week for its afterschool program.

CCA's President, Jennifer White, is eager to identify additional opportunities to partner with the Potrero Hill community going forward.

"Much of CCA's legacy and that of The Carême Room is centered on the terrific relationships we were able to build near our Civic Center campus," stated White. "With so many amazing organizations nearby, such as Project Open Hand and the Tenderloin Community School, we had the pleasure of building lasting friendships that have allowed our students to understand how the culinary industry is inextricably linked to the communities in which it operates. We are excited to form those same bonds in Potrero Hill."

In welcoming longtime Carême Room patrons, new neighbors, and other food lovers to its new restaurant, CCA's Carême 350 will offer a series of promotions to make its already affordable prices an extraordinary bargain. Lunch on its opening day permits diners to earn up to 75% off their total bill if they visit Carême 350 with a party of four or more. Also, on June 3rd, the restaurant will offer 3.5 courses for just $3.50 during both lunch and dinner service. For more information about Carême 350, visit www.careme350.com.

About California Culinary Academy
Founded in 1977 as one of the West's first culinary arts schools, California Culinary Academy (CCA) is a premier provider of professional culinary arts and hospitality management training. Located in San Francisco, California, the Academy offers specialized associate degree programs in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management, and a certificate in Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie & Baking. CCA has produced some of the world's most talented chefs including three of San Francisco's Rising Star Chefs of 2007.

The California Culinary Academy is led by President Jennifer White and is wholly owned by Career Education Corporation, one of the world's largest on-campus providers of private, for-profit postsecondary education. For more information about CCA, visit www.baychef.com.