NOCHI – New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute

Inspired Signage for the Future of Culinary Education

To share food is to share culture and community, and, in New Orleans, hospitality is the raison d’être. This is why NOCHI feels that its facility is the perfect place to cultivate the next generations of talent and leadership in the food and beverage world.

NOCHI was created to be a place where culinary and hospitality careers are developed and defined, where business minds are shaped and nourished – a place where innovation inspires ingenuity. Mixing great minds and industry leaders together to empower a new generation of inspired chefs and culinary visionaries, NOCHI provides students real-world instruction and training by some of the industry’s best talents.

NOCHI is, of, by, and for a diverse community of food lovers. Its mission is to provide a seat at the table for all people to bring their culinary passion to life. Locals and worldwide visitors alike can take enthusiast courses to build skill sets, grow their confidence and find inspiration.

NOCHI is committed to promoting access and opportunity for the dreamers and doers who will further New Orleans’ centuries-old legacy of hospitality and contribute to its ongoing evolution. The next generation of talent is fed and empowered here, and NOCHI is building an inclusive, diverse community to support them, setting a new standard for the future of culinary training and education.

About the Solution

Since NOCHI is home to a cooking school, various New Orleans restaurants gave money to open it. During ASI New Orleans’ thoughtful and thorough consultation and design phases of the project, the concept of the Donor Recognition Wall evolved.

Initially, ASI New Orleans suggested implementing an acrylic, laser-cut frying pan to showcase donor names. However, after producing a few samples, it was decided to try and use the real thing. ASI visited retail stores to browse and measure the available pans and racks, then made drawings and sourced the pot racks. Incredibly, the client had a donor generously give the pans in sizes that ASI had found in order to create a hierarchy for donor levels. The inserts were 3D printed and helped to hide a mechanical screw attachment that was needed due to the weight of the cast iron skillet.

To accomplish the creative Donor Recognition Wall, ASI incorporated both fabricated and cut stainless steel Dimensional Letters, 39 cast iron skillets with cut acrylic and silkscreened text, 12 stainless steel pot racks with stainless steel hooks.

In addition, ASI installed Intouch Plaques, SPE Series Acrylic Plaques and Fabricated Aluminum Flag Signs. Overall, the project designed by ASI New Orleans is a unique project consisting of Interior, Exterior and Donor Recognition signage. NOCHI’s unique signage is a stunning testament to New Orleans’ culture and culinary prowess.