Our Mission
Train people for successful, family-sustaining careers in the Las Vegas hospitality industry.
Creating Culinary Excellence in Las Vegas
For more than 30 years, the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas has opened doors to family-sustaining careers in Southern Nevada’s world-class hospitality industry. Training first-time job seekers and long-time workers alike, the Culinary Academy offers practical skills that lead to real jobs, with more than 65,000 students trained since our founding in 1993.
At CALV, every training program is licensed by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education. Additionally, successful program completion confers a certificate that counts as one full year of work experience with our 50 employer partners across the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown, and beyond, assuring a competitive start from day one.
Hands-on learning is a key part of our model. Students train at our recently expanded campus in real service environments like the Westside Bistro, our full-service restaurant, and 500 Grand Café at the Clark County Government Center and in housekeeping concept rooms replicating MGM, Caesars Palace, Wynn, Venetian, Resorts World, Palms and Golden Nugget. CALV’s catering team also provides on- and off-site services through Culinary Arts Catering and Events, giving students even more opportunities to apply their skills in real time.
This three-decade partnership between Culinary Union Local 226, Bartenders Union Local 165, and hospitality employers in Las Vegas has provided the foundation for a world-class training center that continues to shape the strong hospitality workforce that makes Las Vegas a top travel and entertainment destination–whether students are new to hospitality or current union members seeking to upscale and expand their skills for today’s industry needs. No matter the path, every graduate walks away with hands-on experience, job-ready skills, and a clear route to success.
Our Values
The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas is governed by a set of core values that underlie all our operations. These values reflect a culture of pride in all that we do—our mission, our vision, and our dedicated team.
Our Vision
Reduce poverty and eliminate unemployment by providing vocational and job-readiness training to youth, adults, and displaced workers.
Meet Our
Leadership Team
CALV is led by experienced professionals committed to excellence in hospitality education.
Leadership
Dr. Bobbi Damrow, Ed.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Shanna Hackel, M.A.
Executive Dean and Director of Marketing and Communication
Jennifer Kabat, B.S.
Executive Director of Student Services
Janeen Rozat
Executive Director of Food and Beverage
Robert Derwinski, B.S.
Executive Director of Academy Operations & Strategic Projects
Kimberly Wilson, B.A.
Executive Director of Human Resources
Eric Wolfman, CPA
Executive Director of Finance, Information Technologies & Security
Supporting the Workforce Together
- Las Vegas hospitality thrives when its workforce is prepared, reliable, and ready to grow. That’s where we come in. The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas partners with over 50 employers to train people for real jobs in food and beverage service, culinary, housekeeping, bar operations, and much more.
- As an employer, hiring entry-level roles or supporting career advancement, CALV works with you to make sure the talent you need is ready when you need it. Every CALV graduate earns a certificate that equals one full year of on-the-job experience. That translates to shorter training times, higher performance, and employees who arrive confident and capable.
- We’re proud to be part of the pipeline that powers hospitality in Las Vegas. Let’s keep building a workforce that’s trained, motivated, and committed to excellence.
Employer Partners
Our impact in Numbers
81
%
Students qualify for tuition assistance
85
%
Graduation rate
84
%
of graduates secure employment after graduation
Partnering for Hands-On Learning
and Career Development
Discover How Our Employer Partnerships and Local Venues Create
Real-World Learning Experiences for Students
Find Out More
The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas provides training for entry-level and union workers in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. As a labor-management trust, we partner with the Culinary Union Local 226, Bartenders Union Local 165, and over 50 major properties to create pathways to stable, well-paying careers.
- Our programs prepare students for jobs with living wages, benefits, and employer-provided insurance.
- We collaborate with top hospitality employers on the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown to connect graduates with career opportunities.
Find Your Answers Here
No. Students do not need a high school diploma or GED to register for any of our programs. Some programs require prior work experience, which can be waived with a certification of completion from applicable CALV training programs. Please see our Program List for program requirements.
Tuition for each program varies. Please see our Program List for tuition costs. Eligible Culinary Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 members qualify for free training as part of their union benefits package. Please contact Student Services if you are unsure about your eligibility.
We do not offer Federal Financial Aid (Title IV Funding). However, we partner with several community agencies who offer full or partial tuition assistance for qualified students. Over 85% of our students qualify for tuition assistance.
Program lengths vary, as each program has a required number of vocational hours that need to be completed to graduate. Please see our Program List for program lengths and schedules.
Upon completion of training, graduates will receive a certificate of completion that equates to one (1) year of work experience with our employer partners on the Las Vegas Strip. Please see our Partners for a list of our employer, labor, and community partners.
Yes. CALV does not discriminate based on criminal record. Our Student Services team completes a one-on-one assessment with each student to help determine the most appropriate career path and how to navigate going forward
Some programs will require a Food Handler Safety Training card and/or Alcohol Awareness Card at time of registration. Please see our Program List for program requirements.
Yes. Although CALV does not guarantee employment, our Student Services team offers career assistance to students and graduates, including resume writing, job searching, and interview preparation.
