Culinary arts deals with the preparation, cooking, presentation, and serving of food. It includes a variety of techniques that branch out into specializations, from traditional cooking methods to modern and experimental approaches to food preparation.
Graduates from culinary programs can find themselves looking at multiple options and opportunities. Culinary careers remain in demand in many markets; for example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of chefs and head cooks to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, while overall employment of cooks is projected to grow 5% over the same period. Some work opportunities are international, which is why many institutions take a global approach to their programs and prepare students for culturally diverse learning and career paths.
In this article, we will talk about some of the top culinary arts schools in the world.
Top Culinary Arts Schools in the World
1. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Degrees Offered: Diploma, Associate’s
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is a well-known culinary school in the United States. It has campuses in Boulder, Colorado, and Austin, Texas, and also offers online culinary arts programs through its Boulder campus. Its current culinary arts options include diploma and associate degree programs rather than a bachelor’s degree. The Austin campus offers a hybrid Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, the Boulder campus offers a diploma and an Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts, and the online pathway offers a diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations and an Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts.
Students can learn cooking techniques as well as business and management skills. Depending on the program, the curriculum may cover topics such as menu design, world cuisine, culinary entrepreneurship, restaurant operations, and culinary math. Escoffier’s online culinary arts programs also include a hands-on industry externship, giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn in a professional setting.
2. Culinary Arts Academy
- Study Program
- Location: Switzerland | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s
Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland offers a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts that blends hands-on kitchen training with business and entrepreneurial studies. The current bachelor’s program is a three-year course that includes two six-month internships, 1,100 practical kitchen hours in the first year, and training that connects kitchen fundamentals with food cost management, restaurant service, sustainable menu design, culinary events management, and other business-focused subjects.
Students can complete one, two, or three years and earn Swiss diploma awards at different stages of the program. Graduates of the full bachelor’s program receive a Bachelor of International Business in Culinary Arts from Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Culinary Arts from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom. The first year currently includes French language courses, and internships are available in Switzerland or abroad.
3. Institute of Culinary Education
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Degrees Offered: Diploma, Associate Degree
The Culinary Arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education follows a structured progression designed to build technical competence for a range of culinary careers. ICE offers culinary arts study through its New York, Los Angeles, and online options, with flexible schedules that may include morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend classes depending on the campus.
The campus-based Culinary Arts diploma can be completed in as little as eight months, while associate degree options can be completed in as little as 15 months. After completing more than 400 classroom hours, students complete a supervised externship in an established food-service setting. The program emphasizes hands-on practice, chef-instructor mentorship, traditional and contemporary techniques, and real-world industry experience.
4. Westminster Kingsway College
- Study Program
- Location: England | Degrees Offered: Vocational and Technical Qualifications
Westminster Kingsway College offers hospitality and culinary arts courses through Capital City College. Its current course page focuses on vocational and technical qualifications rather than a bachelor’s degree. Students without a prior professional cookery qualification generally begin at Level 1, progress to Level 2 in the second year, and may advance to Level 3 in the third year, depending on successful completion, attendance, attitude to learning, and practical and professional skills.
The college’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts provides practical and theoretical training in areas such as food preparation, menu planning, customer service, event management, and kitchen operations. Students also gain real-world experience through The Vincent Rooms, a trio of training restaurants at the Westminster campus where students prepare and serve dishes to paying guests while developing professional cookery, food service, and restaurant management skills.
5. Kendall College
Kendall College at National Louis University offers a B.A. in Culinary Management that combines rigorous culinary training with business skills and general education studies. Students who want to combine culinary arts with management or entrepreneurship may find this program especially relevant, as it includes culinary courses, general education, and business courses in areas such as finance, management, and marketing.
During the first two years of the four-year degree, students learn fundamental and advanced cooking techniques through hands-on experience in kitchen classrooms and on-campus restaurants. The program also includes a 300-hour internship at a Chicago restaurant under the supervision of an experienced mentor. In the junior and senior years, students choose one of three concentrations: Culinary Entrepreneurship, Culinary Innovation, or Culinary Wellness. The program also includes professional development, such as resume writing and interviewing techniques.
6. Business Hotel & Management School
- Study Program
- Location: Switzerland | Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s
Business Hotel & Management School offers a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts in Lucerne, Switzerland. The three-year program carries 180 ECTS credits and allows students to graduate with two degrees from BHMS and Robert Gordon University in the United Kingdom. The program blends hands-on culinary operations with advanced techniques, creativity, entrepreneurship, and managerial knowledge.
Students gain practical experience in seven kitchens and complete three internships during the program. Year 1 covers culinary operations, food preparation techniques, European cuisine, garde manger, cakes and creams, bakery and breads, nutrition, food safety, beverage studies, and German or French communications. Later years include advanced kitchen training, food and beverage cost management, supervisory development, food service management, new food product development, and a final internship.
7. Institut Lyfe (Paul Bocuse)
Institut Lyfe, formerly known as Institut Paul Bocuse, offers a Bachelor’s in International Culinary Arts Management. This three-year program combines technical culinary expertise with managerial knowledge to prepare students for the gastronomy and restaurant sectors. It is a state-recognized qualification in France and awards 180 ECTS credits after three years of study.
The first year focuses on culinary techniques and operational management, while the second year develops creativity through advanced culinary techniques, product knowledge, and management subjects such as human resources, marketing, cost control, and corporate social responsibility. In the third year, students work on entrepreneurial projects, including learning how to design and manage a pop-up restaurant. Each year includes work experience in applied learning environments as well as a placement of at least 12 weeks.
It is important to look at all your options when selecting a school for your studies in culinary arts. Attending a reputable culinary school can help you build technical skills, industry experience, and a professional network. You do not have to break the bank to achieve your dream. Be sure to explore some of the funding opportunities on our website, like the fully-funded scholarships and free culinary arts schools to help you complete your studies with ease anywhere in the world.
We hope this article on the top culinary arts schools in the world was helpful. If you are interested, feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
