DACA - Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts different from other culinary schools?
How can I apply for a Culinary Arts Diploma Program at DACA?
How much is the Culinary Arts Diploma Program tuition and fees?
Which are not included in the course prices?
Where I can find a TESDA accredited and registered training center in Negros Oriental?
What can I do with a Culinary Arts Diploma and Culinary Certificates?
Does your academy offer some financial aid, scholarship/sponsorship programs?
Who can avail with this program? What are the requirements needed to apply for the scholarship program?
Where do our students come from?
Does your school have any housing or accommodation/ dormitories for the students from nearby cities, municipalities and far from the island of Negros Oriental?
What are the current programs, courses or certificate programs offered in your academy?
Who can enroll on the short courses and weekend crash courses?
Do we receive a certificate after finishing each tri-mester courses and short courses?
How long are the programs at Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts?
Do I need to have a previous kitchen experience to enroll at DACA?
What percentage of the program is hands-on?
What is the class ratio?
Can I learn enough in Nine months to be employed upon graduation?
Is job placement assistance offered?
What types of jobs will I be qualified for after I graduate?
Does this program prepare me for certification with any other agencies?
Is further training, necessary in order for me to enter the job market?
What can I do to increase my chances of getting into this program?
Are students able to compete in any competitions?
Why go to culinary school? What can I expect to learn?

What makes Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts different from other culinary schools?

Since 2007, founder and director Mr. Gunther Sanin, Austrian, humbly started and operated a small fine dining restaurant along the remote area in Dumaguete City, he find out the needs and potentials from his diners and regular guest does motivated and inspired him in making his success on culinary career in the Philippines.

And the Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts was created by a humble beginning together with his team as their desire and dream as well as sharing their craft and skills because of their love and passion to the Filipino people.

They created and brought a unique and innovative comprehensive culinary arts program in the Philippines specifically designed to prepare the Filipino graduates for the international hospitality workplace having the European Educational Standard using the Dual-Education System from Germany, equipped with effective learning methods, having intensive hands-on training by our dedicated and high-caliber foreign Chef Instructors from Europe namely Chef Gunther Sanin, Chef Marcel Haessner, and Chef Heinz Hacker thus making us different from other culinary schools in the Philippines.

We are the only culinary school in the island of Negros having 95% foreign instructors.

How can I apply for a Culinary Arts Diploma Program at DACA?

All applicants must be at least 18 years old otherwise parental consent is required and either of the following:

• High school graduate with above average rating grades especially in English and Math Subjects - documentation required
• Undergraduate students who has the ability and passion to take the kitchen tasks and challenges- documentation required
• Associate graduate from any college or at least two years of experience in the Food and Beverage Industry - documentation required
• All professionals, all in-house chefs, Overseas Filipino Workers, localskilled workers who are willing to enhance their culinary career.
• OFW applicants for trainings and certificates needed for culinary or food service job application and documentation.
• Applicants must be able to effectively read, write and communicate in the English language. Of course, students must also want to cook or bake professionally!

* A completed enrolment application form
* A completed general agreement form
* A copy of the Transcript of Records and Two (2) Copies each of Passport Size and 1x1 Photo are required upon enrolment

Applicants are required to take an assessment examination on the first day of class and an interview with the Director, prior to enrolment.

How much is the Culinary Arts Diploma Program tuition and fees?

Tuition and Fees at DACA is a 3x 3month Culinary Program: Culinary Arts 1, Culinary Arts 2 and Culinary Arts 3 with European Educational Standard include instructional costs and required fees. We provide INCLUSIVE packages to our students from the total amount at NO hidden cost and other charges. Conditions and breakdown of tuition fee details are available at DACA’s accounting office.

Our Inclusive Packages:

•A set of Chef’s Uniform (jacket and pants)
•School supplies for lecture and laboratory use.
•Course Folders / Compilation of lecture hand-outs
•One lunch meal and two snacks during class period
•Chef Tools (for Culinary Arts 1 and 2 )
•Field trips ( air fare and hotel accommodation only)
•Laboratory Ingredients (High quality laboratory ingredients e.g. beef, salmon, caviar, truffle, deer, lamb, champagne, wines, etc.)

Our Chef’s Table Packages are available as short courses programs which are rate accordingly to the course description and number of hours/days.
Kitchen laboratory ingredients, pair of hand towels, and a school T-shirt are provided for short courses and weekend courses. See our short courses tab for tuition and fees details.

We also provide special programs designed to each type of level or group of students in their field of specialization. Tuition and fees rate may differ from each type of programs and agreement.
Included from the package are a set of culinary chef uniform, kitchen laboratory ingredients, one lunch meal during classes, pair of hand towels and lecture hand-outs.

Which are not included in the course prices?

• All extra school supplies needs
• Extra chef’s uniforms: Jacket or pants
• School T-shirts
• Additional text book references
• Travel/ field trips and school allowances
• Additional knife sets or kitchen tools if needed
• Culinary or Kitchen Shoes white or black
• DACA souvenirs items
• Restaurant orders
• Items sold at DACA and Deli shops.

Where I can find a TESDA accredited and registered training center in Negros Oriental?

If you are looking to enroll in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the first move would probably be know if the TESDA training courses you are interested in are available within your area. The next big thing is to know if there is aTESDA training center near your area that offers the Culinary Course Program that you are interested to enroll in. Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts is the best fit to your culinary needs.

What can I do with a Culinary Arts Diploma and Culinary Certificates?

The food-service/ international hospitality field is one of the fastest growing job sectors in this competitive global food business industry, thus increasingly seeking a culinary school diploma / certificates as an essential credential for a job in their kitchens. But working as a food professional can mean more than just working in a restaurant. Other possibilities include catering, hotel and restaurant management; publishing and television; private and corporate dining; specialty food retailing; food styling; wholesale and retail baking; food and beverage consulting; freelance food writing; and recipe development.

Does your academy offer some financial aid, scholar/ sponsorship programs?

Yes. Qualified students enrolling in the Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts Diploma Program can apply. This program is ongoing process and will be officially published soon.

Who can avail with this program? What are the requirements needed to apply for the scholarship program?

Guidelines and policies for the financial aid, scholarship/ sponsorship programs shall be officially posted soon.

Where do our students come from?

Our students come from our nearby cities, municipalities and neighboring islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Does your school have any housing or accommodation/ dormitories for the students from nearby cities, municipalities and far from the island of Negros Oriental?

Once accepted, our office will assist and help you find accommodation in the surrounding places or communities which is closer to the school. It’s off-campus housing with affordable rate as well as clean and safe environment.

What are the current programs, courses or certificate programs offered in your academy?

• Culinary Arts Diploma
• Short Course:

- Culinary Management Course (128 hours)

•Weekend Crash Courses:

- Sausage Production
- Italian Pasta
- Salads and Dressings

More of our NEW COURSES arecoming up soon:

1. Professional Bread Baking Program

2. Wine and Food Pairing Courses

• Skill Level Intermediate
• Skill Level Advance

3. ProChef Certification

4. Fine Dining and Service Program

Who can enroll on the short courses and weekend crash courses?

All culinary enthusiast and entrepreneur interested to the courses offered.

Do we receive a certificate after finishing each tri-mester courses and short courses?

Yes! The following are the certificates that you will receive after completing each tri-mester courses:

Culinary Arts 1
- Commis de Cuisine
Culinary Arts 2
- Demi Chef de Cuisine
Culinary Arts 3
- Chef de Cuisine
Short Courses
- Certificates as provided by the short course enrolled.

How long are the programs at Dumaguete Academy for Culinary Arts?

Each program is three months (tri-mester) in length to complete the 36 weeks culinary arts diploma program. Students attend class eight hours per day in six days per week.

Do I need to have a previous kitchen experience to enroll at DACA?

No! All students begin at the same level. Students begin their first day in the classroom and kitchen with the basics of culinary skills and theory and each day build upon their foundation, techniques, presentation and taste.

Some of our students are at the start of their working lives, dreaming of becoming executive chefs in the nation's top restaurants. Others have already worked in professional kitchens and are seeking a way to deepen their knowledge and advance their careers. Career changers, too, have long made up an important part of our student body.

What percentage of the program is hands-on?

We take great pride in our profession and aim to instill in each of the students the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm needed for success.

• Our training is 50% hands-on instruction and 50% theory instruction.

• The only culinary school who has 95% certified European Foreign Chef instructors.

What is the class ratio?

We are one of the lowest class ratios in the Philippines with certified foreign chefs’ instructors! Our Chef Instructors set high standards to challenge students during the whole training.

• In the Culinary Arts program there is a minimum of (6) six to maximum of (12) students per Chef Instructor.

• For short and crash courses there is a minimum of (5) five to a maximum of twelve (12) students per Chef Instructor.

The institute retains the right to cancel the courses if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Can I learn enough in nine months to be employed upon graduation?

Most definitely. With our small student/instructor ratio, the lowest in the Philippines, combined with our long training day of eight hours in six days. Our programs are fast paced, focused, and intense.

Is job placement assistance offered?

Yes. We offer job placement assistance or referrals for our students including resume preparation.

What types of jobs will I be qualified for after I graduate?

Our Culinary Arts graduates find employment in many different locations and settings. The employment options are quite varied: for example, our culinary graduates enter apprenticeships and work in five-star hotels, resorts and restaurants while other works in cruises and yachts.

Does this program prepare me for certification with any other agencies?

You will be given minimum of 45 day’s credit towards a cook apprenticeship in the local resorts and restaurants. This way, while you are a student if you decide to work as a cook / chef part time, you can count these hours towards the completion of a culinary apprenticeship as your extra credit points from your hands-on skills training.

Is further training, necessary in order for me to enter the job market?

Graduates of the Culinary Arts Diploma leave with a sound knowledge of the solid foundation in both of their craft and culinary skills. To become a recognized chef requires years of work experience.

What can I do to increase my chances of getting into this program?

Basic career culinary arts, food preparation courses and some culinary industry experience would be an asset. Come well prepared to the interview: bring any pertinent documentation, such as school credentials and grades.

Are students able to compete in any competitions?

Yes. You may have an opportunity to experience national and international culinary competitions.

Why go to culinary school? What can I expect to learn?

Sometimes prospective students ask us why they should enroll in culinary school. Why not simply find a good restaurant and learn on the job? While working in a restaurant helps you assess whether the field is indeed for you, a drawback to on-the-job training is that your culinary education is limited to the repertoire of a single employer. Moreover, you may learn the hows of cooking by working in a restaurant, your employer probably wouldn't have time to teach you the whys of cooking. That's where culinary school comes in. We consider questions such as Why does a sauce break? Why does a cake fall? What makes a stock cloudy? Etc.