Summerlin culinary school takes shape

Summerlin's first vocational college is quickly taking shape in The Crossing Business Center. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, the world's premier culinary arts institute with Parisian roots dating back to 1895, is preparing for its first session of classes.

"Since coming to Las Vegas two months ago, we have filled the enrollment for our first session of classes," president Jennifer White said. "We're thrilled that enrollment expectations have been exceeded by 150 percent."

"Le Cordon Bleu's strong enrollment is proof positive of local interest and support. Summerlin is proud to have the world's finest culinary education institution in our community," said Tom Warden, vice president of community and government relations for The Howard Hughes Corp., the community's developer.

In February, the college signed a 13-year build-to-suit lease for a 45,000-square-foot building with a 15,000-square-foot expansion option. The facility will house instructional kitchens; a full-service, student-staffed fine dining restaurant; classrooms and administrative offices.

Construction of the college's 45,000-square-foot building is on schedule for a July 14 opening.

"The shell of the building is scheduled for completion in mid-May. Everything is on target for the start of classes in July," said Ken Dufresne, director of construction for The Howard Hughes Corp.

The college recently hired a new director of education, Susan Roe, former food and beverage division training manager for Bellagio.

With 22 institutes in 12 countries, Le Cordon Bleu offers a 15-month hands-on training program that instructs students in more than 450 specific culinary proficiencies. The program culminates in the awarding of a Le Cordon Bleu diploma. Career Education Corp., the world's largest provider of culinary education, operates the college.

Summerlin has ranked as the nation's best-selling master-planned community for 10 of the past 11 years, according to independent surveys.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, the community is being developed in villages and is home to eight golf courses, 105 neighborhood and village parks, more than 100 miles of trails, 18 schools, houses of worship, shopping centers, medical facilities, cultural facilities and business parks.

Nearly 150 models showcase the single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums available throughout the community. Homes are priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $700,000.

Custom-home sites measuring from one-half acre are priced from the $500,000s to more than $1 million, and predesigned custom homes are priced from $2.1 million.

Apartments offer monthly rents starting from the high $700s.

To visit the community's home finding center, travel west on Sahara Avenue past Hualapai Way to Town Center Drive and turn north. Or, take Interstate 215 to Sahara, head east to Town Center and turn north.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Community maps are available outside the center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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