Cook & Chef Institute

What Cook & Chef Institute does

Cook & Chef Institute is a Spanish non-profit foundation (Fundación Cook & Chef Institute, NIF G99467953) founded in 2016 and headquartered in Zaragoza, Aragón. It promotes sustainable gastronomy as a pillar of ethical development across society, economy, and environment, aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 12, and 17. The foundation operates a content and education platform comprising Cook&Chef Magazine, Cook&Chef Book, Cook&Chef Library, and the upcoming Cook&Chef TV; a Talent Hub of online courses (delivered via Kajabi) and in-person Cook&Chef Atelier workshops; a GREEN SEAL certification for ethical and environmental culinary excellence; a recipe database; and social initiatives including the Cantina Cook & Chef social dining network and Inclusive Cooking Workshops for vulnerable populations.

The organization engages over 100 international high-cuisine chefs as ambassadors across 27 countries and partners with culinary schools and institutions in 17+ countries, including Tagua (Panama), Villa Terzhagi (Italy), Aula Culinària del Vallès (Spain), and Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo MasterD. Its GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, anchored by workshops, the annual GASTRONOMIX International Sustainable Gastronomy Congress, and the Cook&Chef Talent Awards.

The foundation is financially supported primarily by Bergner Group as its core sponsor, with additional corporate patrons and partners. Bergner provides funding and kitchen equipment, and is connected to the foundation's legal entity. Other partners include EIT Food (Community Partner since 21 July 2023), Masterpro, the Government of Aragón (Placa al Mérito Turístico 2023), the Spanish Foundations Association, the Luxembourg Declaration, Life Climate Smart Chefs, and Fundaciones por el Clima. The foundation is governed by a Patronato chaired by President Alberto Forcano with Honorary President Janek Davitashvili; the executive team is led by Director Izar Villegas.

Name

Cook & Chef Institute

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN COOK & CHEF INSTITUTE

Website

https://cookandchefinstitute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cook & Chef Institute is a Spanish non-profit foundation that promotes sustainable gastronomy through publications, online and in-person culinary education, the GREEN SEAL certification, and social dining programs, serving over 100 international chef ambassadors and partner culinary institutions across 27 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Gastronomy Education

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Culinary Arts & Cooking (Baking, Pastry, Global Cuisines) (EDAAAGAG), Cooking Classes & Chef-Led Workshops (THAJAGAI), Cookbooks, Food & Drink Publishing (MPAJAAAG)

Keywords

• Sustainable gastronomy education
• Culinary training programs
• Chef ambassador network
• Food sustainability certification
• Social dining initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Zaragoza

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Patronage: The foundation operates with support from corporate sponsors and patrons. Bergner Group is the primary sponsor providing funding and kitchen equipment. Partners can collaborate as sponsor (patrocinador), patron (mecenas), or contributor (colaborador).
2. Educational Programs and Certifications: Revenue generated through professional cooking courses, certifications, and training programs offered through the Talent Hub. Programs include Talent Class, MBA in restaurant management, and cooking workshops for professionals and enthusiasts.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cook & Chef Institute is a non-profit foundation that delivers culinary education, content publications, certifications, and social initiatives focused on sustainable gastronomy. It operates an ambassador network of 100+ chefs across 27 countries, runs online and in-person professional and enthusiast training through the Talent Hub and Atelier workshops, publishes Cook&Chef Magazine, Books, Library and TV content, awards the GREEN SEAL sustainability certification, and runs social dining and inclusion programs aligned with UN SDGs.

Product overview

Cook & Chef Institute is a non-profit foundation focused on sustainable gastronomy. Its portfolio includes educational programs (online courses through Talent Hub, in-person Atelier workshops), content publications (Cook&Chef Magazine, Cook&Chef Book, Cook&Chef Library, Cook&Chef TV), a recipe platform, social initiatives (Cantina Cook & Chef, Inclusive Cooking Workshops, Nutrition Projects), and the GREEN SEAL certification. The Content Storage portal serves as a centralized resource hub for all downloadable materials. The foundation operates primarily as a content and education platform rather than a traditional software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cook&Chef Magazine: Magazine publication covering gastronomy news and interviews with relevant figures in the sector.
• Cook&Chef Book
• Cook&Chef Library
• Cook&Chef TV
• Cook&Chef Atelier
• Cook&Chef Talent Awards
• Cook&Chef Corporate

Products and services

• Cook&Chef Magazine Quarterly magazine publication featuring gastronomic news and interviews with prominent figures from the culinary sector, distributed via the foundation's Content Storage portal.
• Cook&Chef Book Author recipe book featuring recipes created by prestigious chefs in the ambassador network, showcasing sustainable gastronomy creations.
• Cook&Chef Library Educational publications covering nutrition, circular economy, healthy habits, and food waste reduction, distributed via the foundation's digital portal.
• Cook&Chef TV Audiovisual content platform featuring videos created by the foundation's chef ambassadors, hosted on the foundation's YouTube channel.
• Talent Hub Online Courses Online culinary training programs (Talent Class and MBA in restaurant management) covering zero waste, local ingredients, efficient cooking, biodiversity protection, healthy cooking, and social cooking, delivered through the Kajabi platform for professionals and enthusiasts.
• Cook&Chef Atelier In-person cooking workshops for professionals and cooking enthusiasts taught by the foundation's chef ambassadors, hosted at partner institutions including MasterD.
• Cantina Cook & Chef Social dining halls created to address socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic, offering nutritious, hot, quality food in an inclusive environment for vulnerable populations through partner organizations such as Comedor Social de las Hijas de la Caridad.
• Inclusive Cooking Workshops Culinary workshops for children and youth with physical and mental disabilities, including the Top Chef Enfants du Paradis program in collaboration with ONG Cooperación Internacional, facilitating integration into the labor market.
• Nutrition Projects Projects to improve health through food, including combating child malnutrition and providing quality food to vulnerable groups.
• GREEN SEAL Certification Excellence seal awarded to chefs, gastronomic institutions, and restaurants that take responsibility for their ethical and environmental competencies in culinary practices.
• Recipe Platform Searchable database of recipes created by the foundation's chef ambassadors, filterable by continent, cuisine type, dish type, and difficulty level.
• Cook&Chef Talent Awards Culinary competition awards event recognizing emerging culinary talent, hosted at partner institutions such as Aula Culinària del Vallés.
• GASTRONOMIX International Sustainable Gastronomy Congress Annual International Sustainable Gastronomy Congress organized by the foundation, attracting international speakers and participants to discuss sustainable gastronomy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% job placement rate at Cuisine Mode d'Emploi(s) training centers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Fundación HakunaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2023Foundation promoting universal values among youth through training, social action, and arts. Cook & Chef supports Hakuna through product donations to enhance their social projects.
• EIT FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2023European Institute of Innovation and Technology food network. Cook & Chef Institute joined as Community Partner, gaining access to organizations across the food value chain, innovation resources, and knowledge about future food systems.
• Comedor Social de las Hijas de la CaridadminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2023Social dining hall serving vulnerable populations with 32 seats and 11,700 annual meals. Joined Cook & Chef cantina network, receiving food donations and support.
• ONG Cooperación InternacionalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2023International NGO organizing the 'Top Chef Enfants du Paradis' program for children with disabilities. Cook & Chef participates in training and skill development events.
• Fundación Pau GasolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration between Cook & Chef Institute and Pau Gasol Foundation on joint social projects related to gastronomy and healthy eating.
• MasterprominorGTM or Marketing PartnerKitchenware brand partnership. Masterpro collaborates with Cook & Chef Institute in China, including sponsoring cooking workshops for children with ambassador chef Greg Louraichi in Xiamen.
• Tagua (Instituto Superior Tagua)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanamanian culinary institute offering gastronomy education. Partnership includes cooking competitions, student exchanges, and equipment provision from Bergner for their kitchens.
• Villa TerzhagiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian culinary school promoting sustainability through eco-friendly materials and local producer sourcing. Partnership aligned with Cook & Chef's sustainability values.
• Aula Culinària del VallésminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish cooking school in Granollers providing professional and amateur culinary training. Equipped by Bergner and hosts Cook & Chef Talent Awards competitions.
• Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo MasterDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish hospitality school hosting Cook & Chef monographic sustainable gastronomy workshops and cooking competitions for students.
• Luxembourg DeclarationminorOthersSignatory of the Luxembourg Declaration, demonstrating commitment to sustainable gastronomy practices.
• Life Climate Smart ChefsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project focused on climate-smart cooking practices. Cook & Chef Institute is an active member contributing to sustainable gastronomy initiatives.
• Fundaciones por el ClimaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish foundation network focused on climate action. Cook & Chef Institute participates as member promoting sustainable gastronomy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Culinary Institute of America: Premier US culinary college offering degrees and continuing education. Comparable as a direct culinary education peer with professional certifications and industry partnerships, though US-focused and degree-granting.
• Le Cordon Bleu: Global culinary education network with schools in 20+ countries. Comparable as a broad incumbent in culinary training and certification, though much larger and more commercial than Cook & Chef.

Direct peers

• Institute of Culinary Education (ICE): US-based culinary school offering professional and recreational programs. Comparable in offering both professional certification tracks and amateur enthusiast courses through workshops.
• Basque Culinary Center: Spain-based culinary education and innovation center offering degrees, research, and industry partnerships. Directly comparable as a Spanish foundation/university focused on culinary education with research and industry collaboration.
• École Ducasse: French culinary school founded by Alain Ducasse with campuses in France and Asia. Comparable as a high-end culinary education brand built on a celebrity chef's reputation and values-driven curriculum.
• Apicius International School of Hospitality: Italian culinary and hospitality school based in Florence. Comparable as a Southern European culinary education institution offering professional certifications and international student programs.

Others

• World's 50 Best Restaurants (Discovery): Global restaurant ranking and awards organization. Adjacent comparable as a culinary industry platform that builds brand, networks, and influence through chef recognition and content.

Emerging players

• EAT Foundation: Norwegian-founded global non-profit focused on transforming food systems through science, policy, and partnerships. Comparable as a sustainability-focused food foundation, though at a much larger scale and policy-oriented.
• Gastronomicom: French culinary school in the South of France offering professional certifications. Comparable as an emerging culinary education peer focused on international students and professional tracks.

Regional players

• Fundación Alicia: Catalan foundation focused on food, gastronomy, and sustainability research. Closely comparable as a regional Spanish peer working at the intersection of food sustainability and education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiPRhueLvKQPGq6RJ7oz5oQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/cookchefinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-cook-&-chef-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/cookchef_institute

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Cook & Chef Institute