"There are more black chefs coming out of culinary institutes," he said.

Mr. Harary took his advice, enrolling in the culinary institute when he was 17.

Each student spends three weeks at the cafeteria as part of a two-year course at the culinary institute.

But the culinary institute has added pleasant touches: fresh flowers on the oilcloth-covered tables and hanging plants in the windows.

So far, seven of the boards have made contracts with the culinary institute at a cost of $35,000 per 12-week class of 10 students.

Then she went to the culinary institute, took a couple of specialized courses, and now she consults with restaurants.

Guadalajara is a center of learning with six universities, two culinary institutes and a thriving art scene.

Success bred success: students at the culinary institute would compete to work there.

Student reaction in the catering kitchen at the culinary institute was generally positive.

But then Eddie learns of a million dollar cook-off that can get him into a culinary institute.