The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas

What The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas does

The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas (CALV) is a non-profit labor-management trust founded in 1993 as a partnership between Culinary Workers Union Local 226, Bartenders Union Local 165, and Las Vegas hospitality employers, operating from a single expanded campus at 710 W Lake Mead Boulevard in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The organization delivers 13 vocational training programs across four categories — Culinary (Kitchen Steward, Kitchen Steward PLUS, Professional Cook, Baker's Helper), Food & Beverage (Bus Person, Food Server, Fountain Worker, Barista, Bar Porter, Bar Apprentice, Wine Server), Housekeeping (Guest Room Attendant, GRA PLUS, House Person/Utility Porter), and English as a Second Language — with certificates recognized by 50+ employer partners as equivalent to one year of work experience. The training platform is anchored in real-service applied learning environments, including the Westside Bistro student-run full-service restaurant, 500 Grand Café at Clark County Government Center, mock hotel concept rooms replicating specific Las Vegas resort properties (MGM, Caesars Palace, Wynn, Venetian, Resorts World, Palms, Golden Nugget), and use of the third-party Hotel Service Optimization System (HotSOS) in housekeeping training.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: tuition ($750-$3,800 per program, though 85%+ of students qualify for tuition assistance through community agency partners), free training delivered to eligible Culinary Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 members as part of union benefits, catering and events services (including a 5,500 square foot Events Center), the Westside Bistro restaurant (proceeds support the CALV Scholarship Fund), and a Prepared Foods division that produced over 415,000 meals in 2024 for schools, non-profits, government agencies, and emergency relief programs. The organization employs 51-100 staff under CEO Dr. Bobbi Damrow, Ed.D., and has trained more than 65,000 students since founding with an 85% graduation rate and 84% post-graduation employment rate. Community-led enrollment is driven by union referrals, partnerships with 15+ community organizations (Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Hope for Prisoners, Workforce Connections, Employ-NV, Nevada Grant Lab, HELP USA Las Vegas, Recuperative Care Center), and direct outreach via info sessions and campus tours. Notably, CALV does not access Title IV federal financial aid and operates exclusively within Nevada.

Name

The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas

Legal name

Southern Nevada Joint Management Culinary & Bartenders Training Fund

Website

https://theculinaryacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas is a non-profit labor-management trust founded in 1993 that delivers 13 vocational hospitality training programs (culinary, food & beverage, housekeeping, ESL), placing graduates with 50+ Las Vegas Strip employer partners and serving over 65,000 students cumulatively.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Institutional & Commercial Kitchen Training (Schools/Healthcare/Corporate) (EDAOAKAL), Catering & Banquet Operations (EDAOAKAF), Hospitality & Food Service (EDABALAO), Cooking Classes & Chef-Led Workshops (THAJAGAI)

Keywords

• Vocational training programs
• Hospitality workforce development
• Culinary arts education
• Food beverage service training
• Hotel housekeeping training

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition-based Programs: Students pay tuition for vocational training programs ranging from $750 to $3,800 depending on program length and complexity. Over 85% of students qualify for tuition assistance from community agency partners.
2. Union Member Training: Free training provided to eligible Culinary Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 members as part of union benefits package. Members must be employed through employer partners in qualified positions for minimum 6 months.
3. Catering & Events Services: Culinary Arts Catering and Events provides on- and off-site catering services for corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings. Includes 5,500 square foot Events Center rental.
4. Prepared Foods Production: Prepares and delivers meals to schools, non-profits, government agencies, and emergency relief programs. In 2024, prepared and delivered over 415,000 meals. Revenue supports CALV Scholarship Fund.
5. Restaurant Sales (Westside Bistro): Student-run restaurant open to public weekdays 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Proceeds support CALV Scholarship Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas is a nonprofit labor-management training fund delivering 13 hands-on vocational training programs in culinary arts, food and beverage service, hotel housekeeping, and English as a Second Language for the Las Vegas hospitality industry. Training is conducted in real service environments including the student-run Westside Bistro, the 500 Grand Café at the Clark County Government Center, and mock hotel rooms replicating major Las Vegas resort properties such as MGM, Caesars Palace, Wynn, Venetian, Resorts World, Palms, and Golden Nugget. Graduates receive certificates that are accepted as equivalent to one year of work experience by 50+ Las Vegas Strip employer partners.

Product overview

The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas (CALV) operates a unified hospitality vocational training platform offering 13 specialized programs across four core training categories: Culinary Programs (Kitchen Steward, Professional Cook, Baker's Helper), Food & Beverage Programs (Bus Person, Food Server, Fountain Worker, Barista, Bar Porter, Bar Apprentice, Wine Server courses), Housekeeping Programs (Guest Room Attendant, House Person/Utility Porter), and English as a Second Language Programs (ESL, GRA PLUS, KS PLUS). The institution functions as a nonprofit labor-management training fund with a network of over 50 employer partners across Las Vegas. Beyond training, CALV operates student-run practical learning venues including Westside Bistro (full-service restaurant) and 500 Grand Café (café at Clark County Government Center). Additional revenue-generating services include Culinary Arts Catering and Events (event catering with a 5,500 sq ft Events Center) and Prepared Foods (meal delivery service). Students receive a certificate equivalent to one year of work experience with employer partners upon program completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Culinary Programs Hands-on kitchen training programs covering Kitchen Steward, Kitchen Steward PLUS, Professional Cook, and Baker's Helper, designed to prepare students for careers in professional culinary arts and food production. Professional Cook tuition is $3,800 and Baker's Helper tuition is $2,000; tuition assistance is available.
• Food & Beverage Programs Front-of-house hospitality training covering Bus Person, Food Server, Fountain Worker, Barista, Bar Porter, Bar Apprentice, and Wine Server courses, preparing students for restaurant and beverage service roles. Tuition ranges from $750 (Bar Porter) to $1,500 (Food Server); tuition assistance is available.
• Housekeeping Programs Hotel and resort housekeeping training including Guest Room Attendant, GRA PLUS (with vocational English), and House Person/Utility Porter programs, teaching cleaning methods, safety procedures, and guest service standards used in major Las Vegas resort properties. Guest Room Attendant tuition is $1,200; tuition assistance is available. Training uses the Hotel Service Optimization System (HotSOS) and mock hotel rooms replicating MGM, Caesars Palace, Wynn, Venetian, Resorts World, Palms, and Golden Nugget.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs Workplace English language training for hospitality careers, including Basic ESL, GRA PLUS (Guest Room Attendant with language support), and KS PLUS (Kitchen Steward with language support) programs designed to build workplace communication skills. Basic ESL is offered at no cost to eligible students; GRA PLUS and KS PLUS tuition is $1,600 each with assistance available.
• Westside Bistro A student-run, full-service restaurant on the CALV campus where students in Bus Person, Food Server, and Professional Cook programs gain hands-on experience. Open to the public weekdays 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM; proceeds support the CALV Scholarship Fund.
• 500 Grand Café A student-operated café located inside the Clark County Government Center providing practical training for students while serving fresh coffee and casual bites to government center visitors. Open weekdays 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
• Culinary Arts Catering and Events Full-service event catering providing corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings, with a 5,500 square foot Events Center for groups of 50-300. Includes menu planning, event coordination, and on/off-site catering support. Proceeds support the CALV Scholarship Fund.
• Prepared Foods Prepared meal delivery service for schools, non-profits, government agencies, and emergency relief programs across Las Vegas. Offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options including CACFP-compliant recipes and holiday menus delivered with a temperature-controlled fleet. In 2024, prepared and delivered over 415,000 meals; revenue supports the CALV Scholarship Fund.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% graduation rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Culinary Workers Union Local 226coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding labor partner providing free training benefits for members. Partnership of over 30 years has provided foundation for world-class training center. Members must be employed through employer partners in qualified positions for minimum 6 months.
• Bartenders Union Local 165coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding labor partner providing free training benefits for members including bartending programs and Union 165 Bartender Training. Members on lay-off status maintain training benefits for 6 months from separation date.
• MGM Resorts InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor employer partner accepting CALV certificates as equivalent to one year of work experience. Mock hotel concept rooms replicate Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, NY-NY, Cosmopolitan, and other MGM properties.
• Caesars EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor employer partner accepting CALV certificates as equivalent to one year of work experience. Properties include Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Flamingo, Horseshoe, Paris, Planet Hollywood, The Cromwell, The LINQ, and others.
• Wynn Las VegascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor employer partner accepting CALV certificates as equivalent to one year of work experience. Mock hotel concept rooms replicate Wynn and Encore properties.
• The Venetian Resort Las VegascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor employer partner accepting CALV certificates as equivalent to one year of work experience. Mock hotel concept rooms replicate Venetian and Palazzo properties.
• Clark County Government CenterstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts 500 Grand Café training location where CALV students gain applied learning experience serving government center employees and visitors.
• Workforce ConnectionsstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner providing tuition assistance referrals and workforce development support for CALV students.
• Employ-NVstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner providing employment services and student referrals to CALV training programs.
• Catholic Charities of Southern NevadastrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner referring clients for hospitality training and providing support services.
• Salvation Army Southern NevadastrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner referring individuals for hospitality training and supporting workforce development.
• Hope for PrisonersstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner providing referrals for individuals with criminal records seeking vocational training and employment in hospitality.
• Nevada Grant LabstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partner supporting funding opportunities for CALV programs and student scholarships.
• HELP USA Las VegasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-profit partner receiving prepared meal services from CALV; testimonial partner praising quality and dedication over 10+ years of service.
• Recuperative Care CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare partner receiving three nutritious meals daily from CALV Prepared Foods division year-round for clients in medical respite care.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institute of Culinary Education (ICE): ICE is a for-profit culinary and hospitality career school with campuses in New York and California, offering diploma and degree programs in culinary arts, pastry, restaurant management, and hospitality. It is a direct competitor in culinary vocational training and a useful scale/operating benchmark for CALV.
• Culinary Institute of America (CIA): The CIA is a leading accredited culinary college with campuses in Hyde Park, NY; Napa Valley; San Antonio; and Singapore, offering associate/bachelor's degrees in culinary arts and food business. It is a direct peer in vocational culinary education and a benchmark for program breadth and pricing power.
• Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies: Sullivan University's National Center for Hospitality Studies in Louisville offers degree and certificate programs in culinary arts, baking/pastry, and hospitality management. It is a direct peer in career-focused hospitality education with comparable program mix.
• Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts: Escoffier operates for-profit campuses in Boulder and Austin, offering diploma and degree programs in culinary arts and pastry/baking with online options. It is a direct peer in career-focused culinary training with comparable target student demographics and online/hybrid delivery.
• Kendall College School of Culinary Arts (now part of National Louis University): Formerly Kendall College's School of Culinary Arts, now housed at National Louis University, this Chicago-based program trains culinary and hospitality professionals with industry-aligned certificates. It is a direct peer in culinary vocational education.

Emerging players

• At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy: At-Sunrice is a Singapore-based culinary and food service academy offering diploma and continuing-education programs with an applied-learning model similar to CALV. It is an emerging international peer in hospitality vocational training.
• UNITE HERE Local 226 / Joint Training Trusts (Harlem, SF, Hawaii): UNITE HERE and its affiliated joint labor-management training funds (e.g., HTNYC, HERE in San Francisco, ILWU in Hawaii) operate similar hotel-training trusts for unionized hospitality markets. They are direct structural analogs to CALV's union-governed model and the most relevant comparables for governance and funding design.

Regional players

• College of Southern Nevada (CSN) – Hospitality Programs: CSN is the regional community college serving Las Vegas with hospitality, culinary, and food service programs that lead to credentials in the same labor market as CALV. It is a direct competitor for tuition-paying students but draws from a broader academic population.

Broad incumbents

• National Education Training Group (dba National Aviation Academy, etc.): NCT and similar multi-trade vocational operators run workforce training programs across skilled trades for working adults. They are a broader incumbent showing how for-profit vocational groups scale multi-state hospitality/trade training.

Others

• Workforce Connection / Workforce Development Boards (US): Local Workforce Development Boards (including Workforce Connections in Las Vegas) fund tuition and refer candidates to training providers like CALV. They are ecosystem partners and a partial substitute as publicly funded providers of WIOA-aligned training.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/culinarylv
• Facebookfacebook.com/culinaryacademylv
• Instagraminstagram.com/culinaryacademylv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas