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CIA Consulting: Gold Standard Innovation
CIA Consulting > Services > Culinary Enrichment and Innovation Program (CEIP)

Culinary Enrichment and Innovation Program (CEIP)

Nurturing the skills of the culinary leaders of tomorrow is what the Culinary Enrichment and Innovation Program is all about.

Developed by the CIA and Hormel Foods Corporation, CEIP provides chefs who have five or more years of industry experience with valuable insights on creativity, leadership, and management. This exclusive training for professional chefs is composed of four, three-day intensive sessions held over the course of 18 months:

  • Flavor Dynamics and Flavor Exploration
  • Contemporary Approach to Health and Wellness
  • Leadership and Innovation Strategies
  • Innovative Menu Development for Profitable Operations

The curriculum includes classroom and hands-on kitchen sessions, with instruction by our own Certified Master Chefs as well as industry guest lecturers and roundtable moderators.

CEIP graduates receive advanced certification from the CIA and become members of the Hormel Circle of Innovation, an influential network of chefs that will participate in ongoing learning and dialog with the CIA, Hormel, and fellow CEIP participants.

Learn more about this exciting training for professional chefs at www.ceipinfo.com.


"CEIP is very focused on learning how we can be better chefs, how we can be better executives, and what we can do to grow."

Tim Recher
2010 CEIP graduate
Executive Chef and Director of Outlets, Hilton Alexandria Hotel
Alexandria, VA
"Looking back over this program, I realize that it has been a catalyst for my 'job' in foodservice becoming a 'career' in foodservice."

Michael Edwards
2010 CEIP graduate
Culinary Specialist 1st Class,
U.S. Navy