Comments on: The Last Course: CCA Leaves Polk Street

By: FJK

FJK — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:03:55 +0000

When my son was in sixth grade, the buffet at CCA was his favorite "big deal" meal. I think he liked the dessert buffet and all that elaborate food garnishing the best.

But he grew up and lost his taste for elaborate, over-prepared food so we haven't been there in ages.

Hope the consolidation brings good things (and food) back to the CCA

By: RD

RD — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:58:49 +0000

Does anyone have an idea where Chef Herve Le Biavant is these days? I kow he is no longer with the CCA, where did he go?

By: Thy

Thy — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:38:43 +0000

Yeah, I was kinda harsh, huh? CCA definitely had excellent instructors, but I think they were under so much pressure with their increasing class size, lack of adequate assistance during their classes, and low morale throughout the ranks in more recent years. I'm just as sad as the next alum about the school's descent. It's a very different place than when we were there in the mid- to-late 90s, let alone during the academy's first, grand decades.

It's a good study in organizational culture and the pressure of pitting short-term profit against long-term stability, let alone education.

By: Michael Procopio

Michael Procopio — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:11:43 +0000

Ooooooh what a dig! I graduated from the CCA in 1997. There were still some wonderful instructors then, but the folks in administration really, really had their un-toqued heads up their asses. My class staged a walk-out in protest of hiring an unqualified Nutritionist to teach our Food Chemistry class. We threatened one or two lawsuits, as well. Really makes my blood boil remembering.

As for Chef Hervé, I liked him. I used to call him Count Chokula, for the obvious reasons.

There was a lot I hated about that school, but I still managed to carry away plenty of wonderful memories, too.

Or were those from all those Friday nights across the street at the Embassy Bar?