Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) hosts formal commencement ceremonies across its U.S. campuses (New York, California, Texas), marking degree conferral for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. CIA’s commencement traditions combine culinary flair with academic ceremony: for example, associate students famously toss their white toques (chef hats) in the air at the end of their ceremony.

CIA’s academic regalia policy reflects the institution’s dual identity — culinary professional and academic. According to the CIA catalog and uniform policy, associate, bachelor’s (Singapore), and accelerated certificate students wear a CIA-issued white chef jacket and white paper toque for their “graduation dress.” For CIA bachelor’s students on the New York campus, academic dress includes a CIA-issued black cap and gown, paired with dark hosiery and black dress shoes.

CIA does not clearly publish honor cord or stole color guidelines in its catalog or student-handbook, and I did not find any reference to Latin honors or academic society cords in publicly available CIA regalia documentation. The Professionalism, Uniform, and Hygiene Policy and academic catalog focus largely on chef uniforms, hats, and caps/gowns — but do not detail stoles or cord colors.

Faculty regalia also follows academic tradition: CIA professors and administrators participating in commencement wear full academic robes, caps, and appropriate academic dress based on their terminal degree, though specific hood colors or velvet trim for disciplines are not described in publicly available CIA policy.

Because CIA’s public regalia guidance emphasizes chef jackets, toques, and the standard black academic gown, but omits detailed color standards for cords or stoles, any vendor or online store should highlight core items—graduation gown, graduation cap, academic regalia, and cap, gown and tassels sets—while advising buyers to confirm specific honor cord or stole color with CIA’s Registrar or Bookstore before ordering.

CIA Academic Regalia Kit — Cap, Gown & Tassel

Prepare for your Culinary Institute of America graduation with this all-in-one cap, gown & tassel set — styled to reflect CIA’s commencement standards.

• All-Inclusive Regalia: Mortarboard cap, black academic gown & tassel included.
• Formal Design: Gown and cap mimic the CIA published graduation attire.
• Honor Accessory Ready: Compatible with cords or stoles — CIA does not publicly define color options in its catalog, so double-check with Campus Store before ordering.
• Pro Tip: Confirm your tassel, cord or stole color with CIA’s Registrar or Campus Store prior to finalizing your purchase.
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Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Culinary Institute of America, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.