By Lauren Mulvey

Florence University of the Arts’ culinary program, Apicius, has been deemed one of the top three culinary schools in the world in a recent article from Ceoworld Magazine.
With focus in culinary arts and hospitality, Apicius provides its students with experiences in learning the ins and outs of fine dining and hospitality services. Ceoworld places Apicius among the finest culinary programs on a global scale, ranking next to the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu in France.
In Apicius, students are not only learning within a classroom environment, but through interactions with the wider Florentine and Italian community. With multiple active locations in Florence, Apicius centers its studies around two primary culinary establishments where students hone their skills. These include the Fedora cafe and pastry shop and Ganzo restaurant.
Students work with professionals in both locations preparing and serving food and tending to customers’ needs. Loved by locals and visitors alike, these establishments have become a staple in the Florentine community and common place for gathering with friends and family.
According to the program's mission statement, Apicius seeks “to go beyond classroom learning by promoting student interaction with the convergence of the multicultural societies in the city of Florence, achieved by unique practical experiences in direct contact with various service areas and the various professional figures who operate in these spheres.”
Students in the hospitality program have experiences that go even beyond the culinary arts and into wellness and travel hospitality, offering students a wide range of experiences before they enter the industry. Now ranked among the best hospitality and culinary programs globally, Apicius continues to expand its influence on its students and the Florentine community.