FAQ
Where is SNC located?
SNC is in a school-house in NE Boulder, CO.
It is a residential facility and the address will be given to you upon request.
Boulder Colorado is 30 miles NW of Denver. It is a small city with many businesses and educational institutions that support wellness and natural lifestyles. Extensive biking and walking paths plus an efficient bus system make transportation easy.
What kind of environment will I be cooking in?
The SNC kitchen is set up for both demonstration and hands-on cooking sessions. When you are cooking you will have your own cooking station, ingredients, tools, and cookware. This domestic kitchen is practical for training personal chef to work in all kinds of home style kitchens as well as large and small commercial venues. Composting and comforts of a home environment are part of the Boulder facility.
What are the entrance requirements to SNC?
- A minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (Applicants must have documents demonstrating their most recent educational achievements.
- Letters of recommendation
- The ability to respond and communicate
- Good physical, mental, and emotional health
What is the registration process?
The registration process includes the following steps, although not necessarily in this order. We welcome personal interviews at any point in your decision and enrollment procedure:
- Student reviews the catalog and supplement and asks any questions that arise
- Student notifies SNC of their intention to enroll via phone or email
- Student fills out and sends in application with $75 fee and $500 deposit
- SNC contacts student to set up an interview, in person or on the phone if needed
- SNC sends an enrollment agreement and payment plan contracts to be signed and returned 60 days before classes begin. (Notify us if you need more time)
- SNC confirms your class position and enrollment 45 days before classes begin
- Orientation materials will be sent between 15 and 30 days before classes begin
How many students are in the class?
Our kitchen is set up for eight - ten students in each semester. The student teacher ratio is no more than 5: 1 during the hands-on section.
Do your schedules follow pretty much the same format year after year?
Yes, we have two semesters each year, beginning in February and July.
May I pay the deposit to assure my seat more in advance than two months as your website states?
Yes, a deposit holds your space (8 - 10 student max per class).
What if I don't know which program I want to take?
You may begin with the Foundation Course and choose a specific Pro Course training at another time. For students with a goal of working in a restaurant or catering business the Performance Dinner class is available following the Foundation Course as a stand alone class.
When is the best time to visit the school for an interview?
Personal interviews are scheduled on an individual basis. Allow 1/2 - 1 hour to have your questions answered and meet with our director of admissions. Please study the catalog and admission materials before attending your interview.
If you teach out of a house are you really a serious cooking school?
This is the unspoken question that potential students don't ask out loud. The answer is: our standards for private education are very high. Students need to be self motivated and responsible for their education. We offer intense, detailed, and personalized training and expect students to be fully present. Unlike large, industrial style culinary training, SNC students are overseen diligently by each teacher.
Is SNC accredited?
No. SNC is a private vocational school licensed with the State of Colorado. Our curriculum trains professionals focused on culinary art and does not include undergraduate courses. Our experience is that graduates who work for businesses in the natural food industry rely on the positive reputation of SNC.
Does SNC give grades?
Students are evaluated weekly on a point system. We expect students entering the personal chef training to accomplish a 95% or higher grade point during the Foundation Course.
What kind of certification do graduates receive?
Certificates/Diplomas are awarded upon satisfactory completion of each course.
Do you have financial aid or work-study available?
Yes, our financial aid loan is available to qualifying applicants. Work study is available up to 5 hours a week. Even though a student has been accepted for the work-study program, there is no guarantee of how many hours a semester they will have work.
Do I need a car while in Boulder?
Boulder is a small city with a 3 mile radius. SNC is four blocks from a major bus route. Bike trails are abundant. A car is desirable to travel to the mountains although they are accessible by foot, bicycle and bus. The bus system is somewhat reliable and user friendly.
Does SNC teach nutrition?
SNC teaches energetic nutrition, a philosophy based in wholeness and ancient traditions. It does not teach the empirical science of nutrition.
Do you have a placement program for graduates?
Students have access to requests for graduates: internships, business opportunities, restaurant and private cooking opportunities are frequently presented to students who show an interest and talent in the areas requested. We will support a qualified student's effort to gain any employment they seek.
Will I have time to work a job while attending SNC?
This depends on what the job demands. Best not to work in a kitchen setting. Evening and weekends are often free from class time. There is outside homework depending on your course of study. Many students take on simple employment with limited responsibilities and flexibility to match your school schedule.
