Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno

What Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno does

Instituto Superior Mariano Moreno (operating as Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno) is a privately held Colombian vocational culinary education institution founded in 1963, headquartered in Bogotá. The institution delivers formally authorized Técnico Laboral por Competencias certifications in cooking, pastry, and bakery across five physical campuses in Bogotá (Usaquén, Avenida Chile, Modelia), Medellín, and Cali, supported by 79 internship/convenio agreements with restaurants, hotels, and food establishments that provide practical training placements. Beyond core vocational programs, the portfolio spans diplomados (diploma courses), short single-topic classes (Argentine grilling, artisan pasta, ice cream, sourdough), advanced specializations in haute cuisine and modern pastry, and a Virtual Library (Biblioteca Virtual) launched in 2024 via virtual.ismm.edu.co for asynchronous online learning.

The underlying technology is modest and education-platform-centric rather than differentiated: a WordPress/LMS-hosted virtual campus for online course delivery, an Efi Pay payment gateway integration, and a class-col.com student portal, with no disclosed proprietary AI, API, or developer-facing surface. Revenue is generated through a diversified stream of tuition (per-semester for vocational programs, per-course for diplomados, short classes, and virtual courses), gift cards (bonos) redeemable across 40+ offerings, customized corporate and private events including team-building and brand activations, and ancillary space rentals. The customer mix spans aspiring professional cooks, amateur hobbyists, working culinary professionals seeking specialization, intensive-program non-resident and international students, and B2B clients (Fedepalma, Bancoldex, Gimnasio Campestre) using the institution for corporate events and training. Distribution is a hybrid of direct on-campus enrollment, online registration forms, an e-commerce virtual storefront, and direct B2B sales, with no external funding, parent company, or public-market backing disclosed.

Name

Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno

Legal name

Instituto Superior Mariano Moreno

Website

https://ismm.edu.co

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Instituto Superior Mariano Moreno is a Colombian private culinary education institution founded in 1963, operating five campuses across Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali plus a virtual learning platform, delivering vocational certifications, diplomas, short courses, and corporate events to aspiring chefs, hobbyists, and businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Culinary Education

NAICS

Retail Bakeries (311811), Caterers (722320), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Bakery Products (2050), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Patisserie & Confectionery (Chocolate/Sugar Arts) (EDAOAKAD), Culinary Arts & Cooking (Baking, Pastry, Global Cuisines) (EDAAAGAG), Culinary Skills Workshops (Baking, Regional Cooking, Food Prep Skills) (THAJAKAE)

Keywords

• Culinary education
• Vocational gastronomy training
• Pastry arts programs
• Bakery and confectionery school
• Professional chef certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational Technical Programs: Semester-based Technical Vocational programs (Técnico Laboral por Competencias) in areas such as Cooking and Pastry, and Bakery, Pastry and Confectionery. Programs run for 2-4 semesters with per-semester tuition. Programs do not lead to professional titles but provide certified vocational training.
2. Diplomados and Short Programs: Diploma programs (diplomados) and short intensive courses in specialized areas such as Dirección de Establecimientos Gastronómicos, advanced pastry, and basic cooking techniques. Billed per program/course.
3. Individual Classes and Workshops: Individual short courses and classes such as Parrilla Argentina, Panadería con Masa Madre, Pasta Artesanal, Heladería, Cocina Consciente, and Taller de Mesas Dulces. One-time fee per class/course.
4. Online/Virtual Courses: Pre-recorded online courses sold individually through the virtual platform (virtual.ismm.edu.co), including courses in sushi, pizza, Peruvian cuisine, healthy baking, and more.
5. Corporate Events and Training: Customized corporate and private events including cooking workshops, wine tastings, cocktail classes, team-building activities, and professional training for restaurant/hotel/kitchen staff. Revenue generated through event fees and service contracts.
6. Gift Cards (Bonos): Gift cards (bonos) available in customizable denominations that can be redeemed for any of over 40 courses, classes, and diploma programs offered by the institution.
7. Space Rental: Rental of institutional facilities for product launches, training sessions, recordings, and other events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno sells vocational and continuing culinary education across five Colombian campuses and a virtual platform. Its core deliverables are Técnico Laboral por Competencias programs in Cooking & Pastry and in Bakery, Pastry & Confectionery, plus advanced specialization programs, diploma programs (diplomados), standalone short courses, and asynchronous online courses covering cuisines from Argentine grilling to haute pâtisserie. The institution also sells customized corporate events, gift cards, and facility rentals.

Product overview

Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno (Instituto Superior Mariano Moreno) operates as a multi-platform culinary education institution offering a unified portfolio of in-person programs and virtual learning. The core product lineup includes two-year technical programs (Programa de Cocina y Pastelería and Programa de Panadería, Pastelería y Repostería) and an intensive nine-week technician program for non-residents. These are supplemented by specialization programs in advanced cooking and pastry arts, a library of short courses (Diplomados) in basic techniques, pastry, and baking, and single-topic classes such as Argentine grilling, artisan pasta, ice cream making, and healthy cooking. The institution also maintains a Virtual Learning Platform (Biblioteca Virtual) providing online courses across international cuisines and culinary techniques. Additional offerings include gift cards (Bonos) and corporate/private event services. The overall portfolio is distributed across five physical campuses in three Colombian cities (Bogotá with three campuses, Medellín, and Cali) plus nationwide access via the virtual platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programa de Cocina y Pastelería Four-semester (two-year) Técnico Laboral por Competencias program in cooking and pastry arts covering food safety, practical kitchen training, and bakery fundamentals; offered across all three Bogotá campuses (Usaquén, Avenida Chile, Modelia), plus Medellín and Cali variants.
• Programa de Panadería, Pastelería y Repostería Two-semester Técnico Laboral por Competencias program developing skills in pastry, confectionery, and bakery production, preparing graduates for work in bakeries, restaurants, hotels, or to start their own businesses; authorized under Resolución 2022 del 30/10/2021 and offered across Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali campuses.
• Técnico Laboral Intensivo en Panadería, Pastelería y Repostería Nine-week intensive full-time program (Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm) followed by 300 hours of internships, designed for non-resident Colombian and foreign students with housing assistance.
• Programa de Profundización en Alta Cocina Advanced semester-based culinary specialization covering modernist cuisine, grilling and sausages, conceptualization and plating workshops, and Spanish, Latin American, and French cuisines.
• Programa de Profundización en Alta Pastelería Semester-based advanced pastry specialization covering plated desserts, display pastry, cake design, chocolate artistry, confectionery, and ice cream production; offered across Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali campuses.
• Programa de Profundización en Cocina Creativa y de Autor Semester-based creative and author-driven cuisine program exploring senses, hydrocolloids, nitrogen and vacuum techniques, poultry, vegetables, fermentation, and dessert modules.
• Diplomado de Técnicas Básicas de Cocina Ten-session diploma in basic cooking techniques covering vegetables, soups, eggs, meats, international cuisine, and food presentation; no prior experience required. Pricing $2,750,000 COP (Medellín) to $3,300,000 COP (Bogotá Usaquén).
• Diplomado en Pastelería Ten-session pastry diploma covering soft doughs, choux pastry, laminated doughs, egg-based preparations, cookies, and French-style pastries; offered in Medellín ($2,750,000 COP), Bogotá Usaquén, and Bogotá Avenida Chile.
• Diplomado en Panadería Eight-session bakery diploma teaching bread-making techniques including baguettes, crusty breads, and traditional artisanal preparations; offered in Medellín ($2,200,000 COP) and Bogotá Avenida Chile.
• Dirección de Establecimientos Gastronómicos 38-session diploma in food service establishment management covering corporate strategy, regulations, food quality and safety, and operational costs; offered at Bogotá Usaquén and Bogotá Avenida Chile.
• Panadería, Pastelería y Repostería para Aficionados 36-class hobbyist program at the Bogotá Modelia campus covering traditional breads, pastries, and confections with practical techniques and creative decoration.
• Parrilla Argentina Five-class course teaching authentic Argentine asado techniques, including cut selection, charcoal and fire management, and cooking points; offered at Bogotá Usaquén, Bogotá Modelia, and Medellín ($1,350,000-$1,450,000 COP).
• Panadería con Masa Madre Six-session course focused on natural yeast sourdough bread making, covering rye and wheat sourdough, pre-ferments, and traditional techniques; offered in Medellín ($1,500,000 COP) and Bogotá Avenida Chile.
• Pastas Artesanales Four-session artisan pasta course covering machine operation, cutting, drying, and preparation of long, short, stuffed, and layered pasta varieties; offered at Bogotá Usaquén ($1,250,000 COP, maximum 18 students per course).
• Heladería Four-session ice cream and sorbet making course covering cream-based ice creams, water-based sorbets, and gourmet gelato techniques; offered in Medellín ($1,100,000 COP) and Bogotá Avenida Chile.
• Cocina Consciente Five-session healthy cooking course teaching complete menus with wholesome ingredients and innovative techniques; offered in Medellín ($1,375,000 COP).
• Taller de Mesas Dulces Four-session sweet tables workshop teaching bite-sized desserts, shot-style sweets, and decorative table design for events; offered in Medellín ($1,250,000 COP).
• Biblioteca Virtual ISMM (Virtual Learning Platform) Asynchronous online learning platform providing self-paced pre-recorded video courses across a wide range of culinary disciplines (international cuisines such as Peruvian, Mexican, Italian, French, Colombian, Asian, Chifa, Arabic; specific techniques including sushi, pizza, sushi, healthy baking, ramen, ceviches, brunch, alfajores, risottos, quiche, fondue, seafood stew, chocolate cake); individual courses priced $50,000-$250,000 COP.
• Bonos (Gift Cards) Customizable-denomination gift cards redeemable across the 40+ courses, classes, and diploma programs in the catalog.
• Eventos Corporativos y Privados Customized corporate and private event services including cooking workshops, wine tastings and pairings, cocktail classes, children's cooking sessions, virtual team building, restaurant/hotel/kitchen staff training, and space rental for product launches and recordings; delivered to clients such as Fedepalma, Bancoldex, and Gimnasio Campestre.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,000 graduates trained at the institution
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FedepalmaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Fedepalma (Colombian Palm Oil Federation) has maintained a commercial relationship with Mariano Moreno since 2018. They partnered on visibility and positioning campaigns for 100% Colombian palm oil, with ISMM chefs participating in brand activation events and cooking demonstrations.
• Internship/Convenio EstablishmentscoreOthers79 restaurants, hotels, food establishments, and hospitality businesses that provide internship placement opportunities for Mariano Moreno students as part of their practical training requirements.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MasterClass: Global online learning platform featuring celebrity-chef-led cooking courses. A broad incumbent in culinary education that competes primarily with ISMM's online Biblioteca Virtual by offering premium video instruction at scale.
• Johnson & Wales University - College of Culinary Arts: US university with a large, established culinary arts college offering degree programs, including baking/pastry and hospitality. A broader incumbent with degree-granting authority that competes for the same aspiring professional chef segment.

Direct peers

• Culinary Institute of America (CIA): Premier US-based culinary college offering degree and certificate programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry, and food business. Closest direct competitor in the professional culinary education category with similar hands-on, career-oriented curriculum.
• Le Cordon Bleu: World-leading network of culinary schools offering vocational, diploma, and degree programs across dozens of countries. Directly comparable to ISMM in product mix (chef training, patisserie, hospitality) and brand-led international positioning.
• Institut Paul Bocuse: French culinary and hospitality school combining degree programs, professional certifications, and continuing education in haute cuisine and pastry. Comparable in advanced French technique focus and international student recruitment.
• Basque Culinary Center: Spanish culinary institution offering undergraduate, master's, and short programs in gastronomy and culinary innovation. Comparable in advanced specialization tracks (haute cuisine, innovation) but degree-granting, representing a higher-tier competitive threat.
• Institute of Culinary Education (ICE): US-based culinary school with career-focused diploma programs in culinary arts, pastry & baking, and hospitality management. Comparable curriculum structure and pricing tier, including recreational and professional tracks.

Emerging players

• Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo de Bogotá: Local Colombian hospitality and culinary training provider. Domestic emerging player competing in the same geography and student segment for vocational culinary and hospitality certifications.

Regional players

• Centro Culinario Ambrosía: Mexican culinary school offering professional cooking, baking, and pastry programs along with short recreational courses. Comparable LATAM regional competitor serving a Spanish-speaking market with similar curriculum breadth.
• Gato Dumas - Escuela de Cocina: Argentine culinary school with campuses in Buenos Aires offering professional chef, pastry, and short-course programs. Closest regional peer in the Southern Cone Spanish-speaking market with comparable vocational certification positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/escuela-de-gastronomia-mariano-moreno

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno