Cannes Culinary Program

General Information

May 13–28, 2012 | Cannes, France

For the past 23 years, The American Pavilion has offered  students the opportunity to participate in The Worldwide Student Program, an internship/educational program that takes place at The Cannes International Film  Festival. There are six distinct programs offered at Cannes:

The Cannes Film Program
The Cannes Culinary Program
The Cannes Hospitality & Event Management
The Cannes International Business Program
The Cannes Alumni Program
The Cannes High School Program

The Cannes Culinary Program is designed for both professional chefs and students. Program alumni have gone on to found their own successful businesses catering to the entertainment industry, working as personal chefs and working at leading restaurants throughout the world.

Prior to the start of the Festival, students participate in a two-day orientation to the culinary traditions of the South of France. Participants visit wineries, restaurants and outdoor markets in an around Cannes.

Once the Festival begins, the culinary team prepares up to 1,000 meals per day—breakfasts, lunches, dinners and special events, including receptions and parties. Work shifts average six to eight hours and the culinary team works every day of The Festival. The atmosphere is fast-paced and the experience gained in the program will prepare participants for the most challenging culinary situations in their careers.

Since 1989, The American Pavilion has been a fixture on the Cannes landscape and the hub of the U.S. film industry’s presence at the Cannes International Film Festival. The Pavilion is a membership-based communications and hospitality center for journalists, publicists, celebrities, filmmakers and motion picture executives working at the Festival. The Restaurant & Bar has an American style menu which provides Pavilion members with a taste of home during the busy 10-day Festival. In addition, The Pavilion hosts numerous special events & parties ranging from intimate dinners on the beachfront terrace to press luncheons to cocktail parties for hundreds of film industry  professionals. Participants in the Cannes Culinary Program, working under Executive Chef Sarah Naef, are involved in all aspects of food planning, purchase and preparation. Former program participants have described it as “Top Chef meets Real World”

The Cannes Culinary  Program is unique and highly competitive. Students compete for a limited number of spaces in the program.  As acceptancedecisions are made on a rolling basis, candidates who apply by the  Early Decision deadline of December 5, 2011 have an increased chance of acceptance into the program.

Building on the success of the previous 24 years, The American Pavilion looks forward to offering students selected for the 2012 Program a once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the most glamorous and prestigious events in the world.