Francois Dionot founded L’Academie de Cuisine in 1976. At the time, he was at the apex of a career that had stretched from the prestigious Lausanne Hotel and Culinary School in Switzerland to the rigorous kitchens of French chefs, to some of the finest restaurants in the U.S. As a result of his culinary experience, he became firmly convinced that simple technique and dedicated practice are the true keys to the success of kitchen professionals. With this understanding, and motivated by a passion to bring great food and superior cooking to American kitchens, Francois created L’Academie de Cuisine.
L’Academie’s chefs and instructors bring their enthusiasm for gastronomy to recreational and professional students alike. It is the shared passion of Francois and the L’Academie team that have made it the premier culinary institute in the Washington, DC area and recognized as one of the finest culinary schools in the United States.