Are you passionate about food and eager to explore the world through your craft? The SPC Culinary Arts program is opening doors to an extraordinary opportunity: its first Study Abroad trip to Northern Italy in May 2026! This 10-day immersive experience is designed for aspiring chefs who want to deepen their culinary knowledge while discovering the cultural roots of authentic Italian cuisine.

This special class focuses on the slow food movement, encouraging students to understand the traditions, sourcing, and artistry behind iconic Italian products like Prosciutto de Parma, Balsamico di Modena, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Lavazza Caffe. Imagine learning firsthand from local experts and tasting ingredients where they originate – a chef’s dream come true.

SPC is partnering with the renowned Marc Polo Institute, celebrated for chef-driven educational tours, to make this experience unforgettable. Together, we’ll host a fundraiser dinner on February 12, 2026, featuring a cultural exchange with an Italian chef educator and students. Guests will enjoy delicacies such as black truffles and artisanal cheeses, with proceeds funding scholarships to make this trip accessible to many culinary students.

International travel not only broadens your palate, but also changes your perspective, shares SPC Culinary Instructor Sara Johannes, who adds:

SPC Culinary is thrilled to provide our students with a unique opportunity, as we recognize that international travel has a profound influence on young chefs. Students will have the chance to embark on a journey that engages all the senses through cultural exploration and features exclusive experiences not typically accessible to the general public.

Sara Johannes

SPC Culinary Instructor

Ready to take your culinary passions international? The SPC Culinary Department plans to host an international program every other year. Students typically complete a culinary arts degree in about two years, so this schedule ensures that everyone who wants to participate can do so.