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ACI Graduate Success

Celebrating the achievements of ACI graduates as they turn their culinary passions into successful careers.

ACI Graduate Success

For almost 25 years, Arizona Culinary Institute has proudly watched hundreds of graduates launch successful careers in the culinary world. Our alumni have gone on to work in some of the most acclaimed restaurants across the country, travel the globe, start their own businesses, and even compete on numerous culinary television programs. Their creativity, dedication, and passion continue to inspire us every day.

We invite all graduates to stay connected through our ACI Alumni Facebook page—share your milestones, inspire future culinarians, and let us celebrate your success with you!

Be sure to check out our video testimonials to hear firsthand what ACI has meant to our students and how their experience here helped shape their culinary journeys.

Some of Our Graduates..

Trying the “weird thing”

I firmly believe that if you are excited about food and cooking, and you’re not limited by too many specific dietary restrictions, you should be willing to try anything. To that end, when I go out to a restaurant, and I trust that the cooks know what they’re doing, I

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Torrus Massey

Sayde Auren

Life at ACI

See what our students and chefs are creating in the kitchen every day.

@arizonaculinaryinstitute
Arizona Culinary Institute

@arizonaculinaryinstitute

🌵Culinary School in Scottsdale, AZ 🎓8 Months To a Real Culinary Career 👨🏻‍🍳Small Classes, Big Opportunities (480) 603-1066
  • Every dish starts with technique.

Students at Arizona Culinary Institute learn the foundations of cooking, baking, and professional kitchen operations through hands-on training with experienced chefs.

From knife skills to plating, every day in the kitchen builds real culinary experience.

Interested in learning more? Schedule a tour and see our kitchens in action.
  • While on vacation to Italy last summer, I had the chance to enjoy some Italian limoncello, and I fell in love with the tart and sweet flavor. Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur, most famously associated with southern Italy. It’s typically served ice-cold, often as a digestivo after dinner. The signature flavor comes not from lemon juice, but from lemon zest. Making limoncello at home is surprisingly simple, as it relies more on time and patience than technique. This recipe yields about three bottles of limoncello, making it ideal for entertaining or sharing.

Ingredients:

· Vodka – 2 bottles

· Lemons – 15, whole

· Sugar – 3 cups

· Water – 4 cups

Start by washing the lemons thoroughly in hot water to remove any wax from the skins. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully zest the lemons, taking care to avoid the white pith underneath, which can add bitterness. Place the lemon zest into a container and pour in one bottle of vodka. Seal and store the mixture in a cool place for 2 weeks.

In a small pot, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely. Once the syrup has cooled, add it—along with the second bottle of vodka—to the lemon-infused vodka. Stir gently to combine. Return the mixture to a cool place and let it rest for 2 to 3 more weeks. The longer it sits, the more intense and rounded the lemon flavor becomes.

When the infusion is complete, strain out the lemon zest and pour the finished limoncello into clean bottles. Store it chilled for the best flavor and texture. Limoncello is best served ice cold, straight from the freezer in small glasses. It also tastes great added to some sparkling wine or for adding a lemony zip to cocktails and fruity desserts. #limoncello #LimoncelloLovers #arizonaculinaryinstitute #limoncellorecipe #italiandessert
  • Train like a chef in a real professional kitchen.

At Arizona Culinary Institute, students learn hands-on from experienced chefs while developing the skills used in restaurants every day.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to work in a professional kitchen, the best way to see it is in person.

Schedule a campus tour and see our training kitchens for yourself.
  • New 2026 Start Dates
  • Ever thought about turning your love of food into a career? 🍽️🔥

At Arizona Culinary Institute, you’ll train in real kitchens with professional chefs and learn the skills restaurants actually want.

📅 Next class start: April 27

Come see it for yourself — schedule a campus tour at the link in bio.

#culinaryinstitute #cheftraining #cookingschool #futurechef #scheduleatour culinarylife chefjourney
  • Not a classroom — a working kitchen. Students at Arizona Culinary Institute gain real experience from day one.

📅 Classes begin March 2, 2026
👋 Meet us at our Open House on March 14

👉 Tour the campus:
https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/

#ThisIsYourKitchen #CulinaryEducation #StudentLife #HandsOnTraining #AZStudents
  • Your culinary career doesn’t start someday—it starts March 2, 2026. Join us for our Open House on March 14 to tour our campus, meet our chef instructors, and discover what hands-on culinary education looks like.
🍴 Spots fill fast—schedule your tour today.
👉 Schedule a tour: https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/

#CulinarySchoolArizona #ACIStudents #ChefTraining #ScottsdaleCulinary #FoodCareers
  • Professional culinary training designed for students who want real skills, real structure, and real results.

📅 March 2, 2026 start date
🏫 Open House: March 14 | 9AM–12PM

👉 Schedule a tour:
https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/

#LearnByDoing #CulinaryProgram #ProfessionalTraining #TradeCareers #ScottsdaleAZ
  • Think culinary school might be your next move? Come find out. New classes begin March 2, 2026, and our Open House on March 14 is the perfect time to explore ACI, tour the kitchens, and get inspired.
🚀 Your journey starts with a tour.
👉 Schedule a tour: https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/

#CulinaryInstituteAZ #FutureInFood #ChefLifeAZ #CulinaryTraining #StartCooking
Every dish starts with technique. Students at Arizona Culinary Institute learn the foundations of cooking, baking, and professional kitchen operations through hands-on training with experienced chefs. From knife skills to plating, every day in the kitchen builds real culinary experience. Interested in learning more? Schedule a tour and see our kitchens in action.
1 day ago
18
View on Instagram |
1/9
While on vacation to Italy last summer, I had the chance to enjoy some Italian limoncello, and I fell in love with the tart and sweet flavor. Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur, most famously associated with southern Italy. It’s typically served ice-cold, often as a digestivo after dinner. The signature flavor comes not from lemon juice, but from lemon zest. Making limoncello at home is surprisingly simple, as it relies more on time and patience than technique. This recipe yields about three bottles of limoncello, making it ideal for entertaining or sharing.

Ingredients:

· Vodka – 2 bottles

· Lemons – 15, whole

· Sugar – 3 cups

· Water – 4 cups

Start by washing the lemons thoroughly in hot water to remove any wax from the skins. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully zest the lemons, taking care to avoid the white pith underneath, which can add bitterness. Place the lemon zest into a container and pour in one bottle of vodka. Seal and store the mixture in a cool place for 2 weeks.

In a small pot, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely. Once the syrup has cooled, add it—along with the second bottle of vodka—to the lemon-infused vodka. Stir gently to combine. Return the mixture to a cool place and let it rest for 2 to 3 more weeks. The longer it sits, the more intense and rounded the lemon flavor becomes.

When the infusion is complete, strain out the lemon zest and pour the finished limoncello into clean bottles. Store it chilled for the best flavor and texture. Limoncello is best served ice cold, straight from the freezer in small glasses. It also tastes great added to some sparkling wine or for adding a lemony zip to cocktails and fruity desserts. #limoncello #LimoncelloLovers #arizonaculinaryinstitute #limoncellorecipe #italiandessert
While on vacation to Italy last summer, I had the chance to enjoy some Italian limoncello, and I fell in love with the tart and sweet flavor. Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur, most famously associated with southern Italy. It’s typically served ice-cold, often as a digestivo after dinner. The signature flavor comes not from lemon juice, but from lemon zest. Making limoncello at home is surprisingly simple, as it relies more on time and patience than technique. This recipe yields about three bottles of limoncello, making it ideal for entertaining or sharing. Ingredients: · Vodka – 2 bottles · Lemons – 15, whole · Sugar – 3 cups · Water – 4 cups Start by washing the lemons thoroughly in hot water to remove any wax from the skins. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully zest the lemons, taking care to avoid the white pith underneath, which can add bitterness. Place the lemon zest into a container and pour in one bottle of vodka. Seal and store the mixture in a cool place for 2 weeks. In a small pot, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely. Once the syrup has cooled, add it—along with the second bottle of vodka—to the lemon-infused vodka. Stir gently to combine. Return the mixture to a cool place and let it rest for 2 to 3 more weeks. The longer it sits, the more intense and rounded the lemon flavor becomes. When the infusion is complete, strain out the lemon zest and pour the finished limoncello into clean bottles. Store it chilled for the best flavor and texture. Limoncello is best served ice cold, straight from the freezer in small glasses. It also tastes great added to some sparkling wine or for adding a lemony zip to cocktails and fruity desserts. #limoncello #LimoncelloLovers #arizonaculinaryinstitute #limoncellorecipe #italiandessert
4 days ago
8
View on Instagram |
2/9
Train like a chef in a real professional kitchen. At Arizona Culinary Institute, students learn hands-on from experienced chefs while developing the skills used in restaurants every day. If you've ever wondered what it's like to work in a professional kitchen, the best way to see it is in person. Schedule a campus tour and see our training kitchens for yourself.
7 days ago
9
View on Instagram |
3/9
New 2026 Start Dates
New 2026 Start Dates
2 weeks ago
13
View on Instagram |
4/9
Ever thought about turning your love of food into a career? 🍽️🔥 At Arizona Culinary Institute, you’ll train in real kitchens with professional chefs and learn the skills restaurants actually want. 📅 Next class start: April 27 Come see it for yourself — schedule a campus tour at the link in bio. #culinaryinstitute #cheftraining #cookingschool #futurechef #scheduleatour culinarylife chefjourney
2 weeks ago
6
View on Instagram |
5/9
Not a classroom — a working kitchen. Students at Arizona Culinary Institute gain real experience from day one.

📅 Classes begin March 2, 2026
👋 Meet us at our Open House on March 14

👉 Tour the campus:
https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/

#ThisIsYourKitchen #CulinaryEducation #StudentLife #HandsOnTraining #AZStudents
Not a classroom — a working kitchen. Students at Arizona Culinary Institute gain real experience from day one. 📅 Classes begin March 2, 2026 👋 Meet us at our Open House on March 14 👉 Tour the campus: https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/ #ThisIsYourKitchen #CulinaryEducation #StudentLife #HandsOnTraining #AZStudents
3 weeks ago
4
View on Instagram |
6/9
Your culinary career doesn’t start someday—it starts March 2, 2026. Join us for our Open House on March 14 to tour our campus, meet our chef instructors, and discover what hands-on culinary education looks like. 🍴 Spots fill fast—schedule your tour today. 👉 Schedule a tour: https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/ #CulinarySchoolArizona #ACIStudents #ChefTraining #ScottsdaleCulinary #FoodCareers
3 weeks ago
7
View on Instagram |
7/9
Professional culinary training designed for students who want real skills, real structure, and real results.

📅 March 2, 2026 start date
🏫 Open House: March 14 | 9AM–12PM

👉 Schedule a tour:
https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/

#LearnByDoing #CulinaryProgram #ProfessionalTraining #TradeCareers #ScottsdaleAZ
Professional culinary training designed for students who want real skills, real structure, and real results. 📅 March 2, 2026 start date 🏫 Open House: March 14 | 9AM–12PM 👉 Schedule a tour: https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/ #LearnByDoing #CulinaryProgram #ProfessionalTraining #TradeCareers #ScottsdaleAZ
3 weeks ago
4
View on Instagram |
8/9
Think culinary school might be your next move? Come find out. New classes begin March 2, 2026, and our Open House on March 14 is the perfect time to explore ACI, tour the kitchens, and get inspired. 🚀 Your journey starts with a tour. 👉 Schedule a tour: https://azculinary.edu/apply-online/schedule-a-tour/ #CulinaryInstituteAZ #FutureInFood #ChefLifeAZ #CulinaryTraining #StartCooking
4 weeks ago
9
View on Instagram |
9/9

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