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L'Ecole Culinaire is a for-profit culinary school and a subset of Vatterott College.

Being part of the larger college, L'Ecole Culinaire is owned by TA Associates and is operated by Vatterott Educational Centers, Inc.

The college has three branches: Kansas City, MO, Memphis, TN, and St. Louis, MO.

History
The first branch of L'Ecole Culinaire was located in St. Louis, MO. It applied for the establishment on February 9, 2004, and received approval and accreditation on September 30, 2004 by the Commission for the Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. In 2008, the Quincy, IL campus of Vatterott College applied for Branch Parts I & II. In November of the same year, L'Ecole Culinaire was accredited and established as a diploma-granting culinary college located in Cordova, TN. Classes began in December of 2008. The most recently established branch of the college was the Kansas City, MO location. In April of 2012, the Des Moines campus of Vatterott received approval for accreditation. All three campuses have offered and taught classes since their openings and continue to today.

Philosophy
The main focus of L'Ecole Culinaire is the student. The mission statement acknowledges that L'Ecole's academic processes inside and outside of class are student-centered. The goal of the college is to teach its students well enough that they are able to be employed upon graduation. The students, if applicable, may receive higher training at a more rigorous rate because of the student to teacher ratio. Due to this, students are said to have a a fulfilling college experience, however the requirements for graduation are demanding.

Community Impact
L'Ecole Culinaire is known for adhering to the college's philosophy off-campus. The branches are notable in their communities for helping people in and out of the kitchen. Many members of the working staff educate readers of local newspapers commenting on topics from public school renovations to what type of oil to use in the kitchen. Apart from teaching students how to cook, the colleges have dining areas where locals are able to come and eat while others have food trucks that bring meals to the people.