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A new era in Romanian culinary: Our partner school HEAT launches

In the heart of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, a new beacon of hospitality education has emerged—HEAT (Hospitality Excellence Academy of Transylvania). HEAT is poised to redefine professional training in the culinary and hospitality sectors across Eastern Europe. With a mission rooted in excellence and innovation, this academy brings the rigor and prestige of Swiss hospitality education to Romania, offering a transformative experience for aspiring chefs and experienced hospitality professionals.

10/22/2025
@Albert
@Cayla Casares
A new era in Romanian culinary: Our partner school HEAT launches

A Swiss standard of excellence

HEAT is part of the Global Swiss Learning network, made up of international partnerships that includes educational institutions in Brazil, Asia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Africa. This partnership ensures that HEAT’s curriculum meets the high standards of Swiss vocational education—globally recognized for its precision, quality and practical relevance.

Students at HEAT will earn Swiss-industry certification, making them competitive candidates in the global hospitality job market. The academy’s blended learning model combines up to 80% online theoretical instruction with hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities at the CREIC Center of Excellence in Cluj-Napoca.

What makes HEAT different?

HEAT stands out as a culinary school in the region for several reasons:

-International Certification
: Certifications that open doors to global career opportunities.
-Elite faculty
: A team of seasoned professionals, including Chef Corina Grama (Executive Chef & Head Trainer), Chef Alexandra Lazăr, Chef Alexandru Strugari, Chef Alin Vădean, and Chef Eduard Șimon, and more—who trained under Chef Patrick Diethelm, Head of Culinary Excellence at Global Swiss Learning.
-Practical relevance
: Aspiring chefs given access to internships in top hospitality locations as a part of their training, when enrolled in the Professional Chef Diploma.
-Corporate training programs
: Scalable training solutions for hospitality companies, focusing on employee qualification, requalification, and retention strategies.  

Global Swiss Learning Head Culinary Excellence Patrick Diethelm at the certification ceremony for the future HEAT trainers.

A curriculum designed for the future

HEAT’s educational approach is both modern and strategic. The curriculum is tailored to meet the evolving needs of the HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) industry, blending:

-Online theoretical modules
for flexibility and accessibility
-Practical workshops
in their cutting-edge kitchen
-Soft skills development
, including leadership, communication, and customer service
-Real-world exposure
through internships and corporate collaborations

This holistic model ensures that students not only master culinary techniques but also understand the operational aspects of hospitality.

HEAT will offer the Global Swiss Learning Professional Chef DIploma to it's students as a flagship culinary course for aspiring and experienced chefs.

A vision for Romanian hospitality

The founders of HEAT envision a new generation of Romanian hospitality professionals—skilled, confident, and proud of their craft. By introducing Swiss educational philosophy and standards, HEAT aims to elevate the local industry and position Romania as a competitive player in global hospitality.

What's next?

As the first cohort of students begins their journey, HEAT is already making waves as a trailblazer in vocational education. Whether you're a young culinary enthusiast or a seasoned professional seeking upskilling, HEAT offers a gateway to excellence, innovation and international opportunity.

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