BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Sun Valley Culinary Institute is holding an open house on Wednesday for candidates for its one-year Professional Program for September 2025-26. Enrollment is now open for the program, which is aimed at those interested in a career in the culinary arts.  

Sun Valley Culinary Institute’s Executive Director Karl Uri and Chef Instructor Paul Brown will greet the curious over complimentary appetizers and refreshments from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, July 15 and Aug. 19 at the Sun Valley Culinary Institute.

They’ll answer questions about the program, coursework, tuition and the program’s professional externships available in Sun Valley. 

The Sun Valley Culinary Institute’s professional chef program is a year-long program during which students spend two 10-week periods in the kitchen learning the nuts and bolts of knife handling, cooking with meat, baking tips and more.

During Sun Valley’s busy seasons in winter and summer they serve internships with local award-winning restaurants, for which they get paid. 

Students also have the opportunity to meet visiting chefs who hold cooking demos for food enthusiasts at the Institute. And they have the opportunity to prepare food for special events.

“The Sun Valley Culinary Institute is excited to meet prospective students who might be interested in pursuing a career in the culinary arts,” said Executive Director Karl Uri. “Please stop by no matter your level of interest to learn more about what we do and the opportunities that exist from earning a one-year certificate.”

 Those who plan to attend the open house should RSVP to info@sunvalleyculinary.org.

The Sun Valley Culinary Institute, located in the historic Lewis & Lemon building at 211 Main St. in Ketchum, is a nonprofit organization. It provides professional culinary education to students and food enthusiasts. And it recruits and develops culinary workforce talent in partnership with restaurant and hospitality leaders in the Wood River Valley.