Ithaca, NY, May 22, 2004 — The Cornell Hotel School, eCornell and The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) have combined to produce a series of self-guided online courses designed to help restaurant professionals develop their management skills and maximize operating efficiency.

Beginning this summer, restaurant managers and assistant managers, chefs, and entrepreneurs will choose from 14 courses conveying specific skills and knowledge in finance, revenue management and strategic management and leadership. These interactive courses use multimedia technology, creating an engaging experience far more effective than standard online learning programs.

"As the world's premier culinary college, The Culinary institute of America is pleased to support the ongoing education of restaurant industry leaders," said Mark Erickson, vice president of Continuing Education at CIA. "With their focus on management, these courses provide an ideal complement to CIA's current education offerings, giving enrollees instruction that better equips them to manage successful businesses."

Courses draw from material included in more comprehensive, facilitated online courses offered by eCornell, a recognized leader in online education. Each course costs $395.

"eCornell is proud to partner with the Hotel School and CIA to provide the finest and most comprehensive e-learning experience for culinary and foodservice professionals," says Chris Proulx, eCornell's Director of Program Management. "These courses perfectly complement those offered by the CIA to ensure restaurant professionals possess the right skills to succeed in a highly competitive marketplace."

The new self-guided Courses fall into three broad categories:

• Finance and accounting for non-financial managers

Participants learn to understand and use financial statements and other financial tools for planning and decision making. Courses include Accounting Fundamentals – The Balance Sheet, Accounting Fundamentals – The Income Statement, Accounting Fundamentals – The Cash Flow Statement, Mastering the Time Value of Money, and Making Capital Investment Decisions.

• Restaurant revenue management

Participants achieve maximum profits in food and beverage operations. Courses include Restaurant Revenue Management, Managing Revenue with Service Cycle Changes, Managing Revenue with Table Mix, and Managing Revenue with Pricing.

• Strategic management and leadership

Participants help learners enhance their leadership and management skills through new strategies and new ways of thinking. Courses include Managing Change Initiatives, Executive Decision Making, Strategic Thinking, Scenario Planning, and Leading Through Creativity.

"This is the first time we have created a self-guided e-learning tool targeted specifically for restaurant leaders," said Tom Kline, director of executive education at the Cornell Hotel School. " With Cornell faculty providing the content, eCornell designing the curriculum and CIA serving as our delivery partner, we are providing career-enhancing, premium educational material to the right audiences through the right channels."

For more information about these courses, please visit www.ecornell.com/splash/SHA-CIA/