HAMPTON -- The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce and Chez Boucher recently conducted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Seacoast area's first Culinary Arts Training Center, a significant expansion of its regionally acclaimed French cooking school established for the budding professional and novice alike.

The Center, now housed at 32 Depot Square in the heart of downtown Hampton, is complete with its culinary arts education programs, a company store, film production studio kitchen, and authentic bistro.

One-third larger than its prior Hampton location, Chez Boucher occupies a 3,200 sq. ft., custom-equipped facility decorated in the warm, welcoming tones characteristic of the Old World. Executive Chef-Owner Ron Boucher's master plan for a cooking-school-turned-culinary-training-center features several exciting enhancements.

The new, larger teaching kitchen is designed as a film production studio outfitted with cameras and monitors for taping and viewing of cooking techniques and demonstrations. Later this year, Boucher plans to launch a professional, on-line training program.

Ever since the cooking school opened in 2003, students and locals have sought out Boucher's expertise on how to equip their home kitchens. To meet this demand, Chez Boucher will have an on-site company store to sell items preferred by the school's chef-instructors: Customized chefs' clothing; cookware; specialized cooking tools; electrics; bake ware; table top items; and supplies. A variety of spices, seasonings, homemade sauces, prepared meals, and a selection of wine, will also be available. Integrated into the practical element of the Professional Training Certificate Program is a 36-40 seat dining room featuring authentic bistro cuisine. Students will experience food preparation in real time and the bistro will be open to the public every other Thursday and Friday evenings offering a four-course menu. Chez Boucher will host small functions and dinner parties in this dining room as well. On and off-site catering is available and will soon become part of the professional program.

Chez Boucher continues to offer its popular Culinary Arts Professional Training Certificate Program, an accelerated, six-month program endorsed by the American Culinary Federation and licensed by the NH Department of Education. Additionally, students enrolled in the general studies program at Great Bay Community College can now attend Chez Boucher and earn credits in culinary arts toward their degree.

The Chez Boucher Training Center will continue to feature a wide variety of training for home-cooks or gourmet enthusiasts, young or old, from one-day classes to six-week courses. Wine buffs can hone their skills in a regularly scheduled course "Uncorked 101," led by wine expert Carla Snow of A Grape Affair.

Chez Boucher's approach is based on an appreciation of the Slow-Food movement: From the farm to the kitchen to the table.

For more information about the center or for a tour, contact Chez Boucher French Cooking School at (603) 926-2202 or info@chezboucher.com. For a comprehensive overview of the Center, visit www.chezboucher.com.