Coming soon: The world's first gastronomic university in Spain

The university, due to open in San Sebastian in Basque country, a region renowned for fine dining, in September 2011, will be complete with a research lab to explore the mysterious chemistry of taste, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
In fact, the varsity will be the first of its kind to offer a four-year undergraduate degree course in culinary arts taught in both English and Spanish and also one-year masters degrees as well as shorter courses for cooking enthusiasts.
Student chefs will learn the craft of "molecular gastronomy" under the tuition of Spain's most celebrated restaurateur Ferran Adria, who owns El Bulli, and many international culinary experts.
Authorities in Spain's northern Basque country hope the university will establish the region as the new "mecca of the world haute cuisine", said Joxe Mari Aizega, the project director was quoted as saying.
The private university is located in the seaside resort of San Sebastian, which already holds a reputation for some of the best gastronomical expertise in Spain.
The town is home to nine restaurants who together boast a total of 16 Michelin stars. Many of the local chefs have pledged their support to the new university and will participate in the tuition on degree courses.
Spain's Minister of Science and Innovation said that the time had come for gastronomy to be treated with the same seriousness as other academic subjects. "Not only is gastronomy an art, culture and an industry. It is also a technology and a science," Cristina Garmendia said.