India is a food lover’s paradise, and there are few better places to learn to cook than in the land of spices. With its rich culinary history and regional traditions, India is home to a wide variety of cuisines, from the street food of Mumbai to the fine dining restaurants of Delhi. For international students who want to study culinary arts, India can be a strong option.
Choosing the right culinary school in India is important because you will want to make sure the school offers the right program for your goals. You should also consider the school’s location, campus facilities, industry exposure, and student life.
So, let’s make it easier for you by highlighting top culinary schools in India.
Top Culinary Schools in India
1. Culinary Academy of India
The Culinary Academy of India (CAI) in Hyderabad is a culinary education institution affiliated with Osmania University. Its Bachelor’s Degree in Catering Technology and Culinary Arts is a three-year, full-time program under Osmania University’s Faculty of Technology.
At CAI, students can choose from programs such as the three-year Bachelor’s Degree in Catering Technology and Culinary Arts, a PG Diploma in Culinary Arts, a certificate course in food production and patisserie, and shorter diploma programs in pastry, confectionery, bakery, and Indian and continental kitchen.
CAI’s bachelor’s curriculum is structured over three years and emphasizes practical training. The academy states that the course is 70% hands-on and 30% theory, with students training in professional kitchen facilities and a simulated work environment.
2. Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration
Another prestigious culinary and hospitality institute in India to consider is the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA). Located in Manipal, Karnataka, WGSHA is a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education and was established in 1986 in partnership with the Hotels Division of ITC Ltd.
WGSHA offers several hospitality and culinary programs, including B.Sc./B.Sc. (Hons.) Culinary Science and M.A. Indian Cuisine and Food Culture. The Culinary Science program can be completed in three years for the B.Sc. route or four years for the honors route, while the M.A. Indian Cuisine and Food Culture is a two-year postgraduate program focused on Indian cuisine, regional food traditions, and food culture.
WGSHA is known for its focus on experiential learning. Its official materials highlight professional kitchens, student training facilities, industry partnerships, and a tie-up with the annexed Fortune Inn Valley View, a member of ITC’s hotel group, for hands-on training and real-time hospitality exposure.
3. Indian Institute of Hotel Management
The Indian Institute of Hotel Management listed here is the Indian IHM in Salt Lake, Kolkata. Its Culinary Management page describes classroom lectures and demonstrations combined with hands-on training in a commercial kitchen environment.
Students can choose from the Bachelor in Culinary Management, Masters in Culinary Management, and Diploma in Culinary Management. The bachelor’s program is listed as a three-year course with an optional additional year, the master’s program is listed as two years, and the diploma is listed as 12 or 18 months.
Because several hospitality institutes in India use similar abbreviations and names, students should confirm the campus, recognition, award body, and program structure directly with the institute before applying.
4. Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts
Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts and Nutritional Sciences (SSCANS), Pune, formerly known as Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts, is part of Symbiosis International (Deemed University). Its culinary arts program is designed to build professional cooking skills, creativity, food handling knowledge, service operations, and entrepreneurial ability.
The B.Sc. Culinary Arts program structure includes courses such as Indian Cuisine, Indian Cuisine and Culture, Regional Indian Cuisine, European Cuisine, Asian Cuisine, Global and Contemporary Cuisine, and a summer internship. The school also highlights practical learning activities such as recipe development, sensory evaluation, restaurant management, functions, and its student-run bake shop, SymbiBake.
This makes SSCANS a strong option for students who want a culinary curriculum that includes Indian, regional Indian, European, Asian, and global culinary training.
5. Institute of Hotel Management Aurangabad
Institute of Hotel Management Aurangabad (IHM-A) is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Its official site describes the institute as guided by IHCL and global academic standards, with undergraduate programs in hotel management and culinary arts.
IHM-A offers a four-year Bachelor of Culinary Arts with Honours, described by the institute as an internationally awarded undergraduate degree program. The campus also highlights hands-on training within a Taj-managed five-star training hotel, industry-grade culinary labs, modern classrooms, and student residences.
In addition to its IHCL/Taj connection, IHM-A is notable for offering a culinary degree with significant hospitality-industry exposure. Prospective students should review the latest admissions and fee information directly on the institute’s website before applying.
India is a great place to learn to cook like a professional chef. With its outstanding institutes, rich culinary history, and varied regional traditions, you can study a wide range of techniques and cuisines while building practical skills. The Indian culinary schools above are a helpful starting point as you explore your options.
We hope that this article on the best culinary schools in India was helpful. Visit the Asia Scholarships Page and available courses for international students!
