Programs
Whether focused on environmentally sustainable practices or approaches to effective leadership and management, our courses at MAD Academy are designed to address the pressing needs of the hospitality industry.
Coursework engages students in a highly stimulating, collaborative environment with lessons that directly translate into real-life issues and situations. The pace of the week is fast but carefully structured. Built to inform and surprise, each program features sessions that are intense and thought-provoking, as well as moments of respite and time for processing.
Learn about our programs below and head to our schedule for dates and applications.
Environment & Sustainability | Five-day intensive program
Although many of us are aware that current food systems contribute disproportionately to climate change and other forms of environmental degradation, we don’t always know how to address the problem.
MAD’s Environment & Sustainability program is designed to fill that knowledge gap. Because we believe that even the smallest daily decisions can add up to significant impact, we give our students the information they need to make sustainable choices at every level, and teach them how to identify and execute ecologically-minded improvements in their own workplaces.
Students graduate from this course with a greater understanding of the food system, and with the knowledge, tools and motivation they need to effect real change.
Student Profile: This program is open to anyone pursuing a career in hospitality, but the typical student will have 5-10 years of professional experience.
Leadership & Business | Five-day intensive program
This five-day intensive program helps hospitality professionals who are about to transition into management to develop the skills they need to lead their future teams effectively and manage their restaurants successfully.
Poor leadership and management cause many businesses to fail and drive many talented hospitality workers from our industry. By better preparing professionals to confront the challenges of managing a team and running a business, we believe we can make our workplaces more viable, equitable, and rewarding, and help shape the next generation of leaders.
Focusing on everything from group dynamics and team development to the foundations of accounting, this program gives students the knowledge and hands-on training they need to navigate common—but often difficult—situations like conflict resolution and financial trouble-shooting. It also helps them better understand their own leadership style and develop both the everyday practices and the longterm vision that a thriving business requires.
Student Profile: Open to anyone pursuing a career in hospitality, this particular session is aimed at students with roughly 5 to 10 years of experience and who aspire to work in upper-level management or to one day open their own place.
Leadership & Business for experienced students | Five-day intensive program
This five-day intensive program helps restaurateurs and employees within hospitality who are already working in management roles to become better at what they do.
Poor leadership and management cause many businesses to fail and drive many talented hospitality workers from our industry. By better preparing professionals to confront the challenges of managing a team and running a business, we believe we can make our workplaces more viable, equitable, and rewarding, and help shape the next generation of leaders.
Focusing on everything from group dynamics and team development to the foundations of accounting, this program gives students the knowledge and hands-on training they need to navigate common—but often difficult—situations like conflict resolution and financial trouble-shooting. It also helps them better understand their own leadership style and develop both the everyday practices and the longterm vision that a thriving business requires.
Student Profile: The typical student for this program will have 10+ years of professional experience and work in a senior management position, be about to launch a new business, or already run their own. During this week, guest speakers and course content are tailored to more experienced students.
The New York Times ran an exclusive feature on this pivotal moment for MAD. Read Julia Moskin’s piece in the Times.