Escoffier Announces Partnership With Les Roches to Expand International Academic Footprint

New collaboration enhances pathways for Escoffier students to pursue advanced global hospitality education

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts today announced a new partnership with Les Roches Global Hospitality Education that creates scholarship-supported pathways for qualified students and recent graduates to pursue bachelor's degrees in Switzerland or Spain.

The agreement expands Escoffier's international academic footprint at a time when hospitality education is increasingly tied to a global workforce and the need for cross-cultural skills. Research from NAFSA: Association of International Educators shows employers value abilities developed through international education, including adaptability and intercultural competence. A recent national survey by the Forum on Education Abroad found that 90% of more than 8,800 study-abroad participants said the experience helped their careers, and many reported gaining skills like adaptability, communication and intercultural awareness that played a key role in their professional growth.

Escoffier graduates admitted to bachelor's programs at the Les Roches campuses in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, or Marbella, Spain, may be eligible for additional scholarships offered at either campus.

Under the pathway, Escoffier Culinary Arts diploma or associate degree students enter the second year of Les Roches bachelor's degree program. Details on pathways and scholarship requirements are available at https://www.escoffier.edu/study-abroad/.

Founded in Switzerland in 1954, Les Roches ranks No. 2 worldwide for Hospitality & Leisure Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

"Our responsibility is to prepare students who combine technical excellence with global fluency and an enduring mindset of lifelong learning," said Kirk T. Bachmann, provost and president, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Boulder campus. "That means understanding sourcing, sustainability and cultural context as core competencies in today's hospitality industry. This partnership strengthens our expanding international presence and provides graduates a direct pathway to advanced study in globally recognized programs where culinary craft intersects with business strategy and leadership."

"This collaboration reflects the growing convergence between culinary arts, hospitality management and the experience economy," said Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches. "By connecting Escoffier's culinary excellence with Les Roches' expertise in hospitality leadership and business education, we are creating new pathways for students to develop international, managerial and entrepreneurial skills increasingly sought across luxury hospitality, tourism and the wider experience economy."

Students admitted through the pathway will have the opportunity to study at Les Roches' campus in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, or at its Marbella campus in Spain, gaining exposure to multicultural learning environments, applied hospitality education and a global network of industry partners. Both campuses combine academic study with professional training aligned with contemporary hospitality operations.

The partnership builds on Escoffier's growing international presence, including its academic collaboration with École Ducasse in France.

More information is available at https://www.escoffier.edu/study-abroad/.

About Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the largest culinary school brand in the United States.* With campuses in Austin, Texas, and Boulder, Colorado, including online programs, Escoffier blends classical technique with contemporary culinary education, emphasizing sustainability, farm-to-table practices and business leadership.

The Austin campus is nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). The Boulder campus, including online programs, is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Escoffier has been recognized by Niche.com among the Best Colleges for Culinary Arts in America and has received Military Friendly^® and Great Place to Work^® certifications.

For more information, visit www.escoffier.edu.

*Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the largest culinary school brand in the U.S. (based on comparable student population data currently reported in IPEDS).

About Les Roches

Les Roches is a distinguished Swiss institution dedicated to fostering innovative and entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1954 in Switzerland, Les Roches offers undergraduate, graduate degrees and executive programs in Luxury, Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Les Roches has campuses across Switzerland, Spain, the UAE and China, as well as partner campus in New Delhi.

Part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education, Les Roches ranks No. 2 globally in Hospitality & Leisure Management (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).

Les Roches has received official recognition from the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC) as a University of Applied Sciences Institute and is also accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

For more information: https://lesroches.edu/ 

Editor's Note

Scholarship support applies to tuition for eligible candidates admitted to participating programs. Additional terms and conditions apply.

SOURCE Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts