An area’s cuisine is both a reflection of people’s traditions and a catalyst for their shared history and customs. It is widely known that ‘food brings people together’, thus it acts as a driving force between various cultures to bond. However, Spanish cuisine tops the charts with its unique palette and diverse techniques of cooking.
As a result of a recent survey that put Spain at #3 for ‘World’s Best Cuisine,’ the country’s illustrious culinary tradition continues to attract widespread attention. The Spanish food and beverage industry is the country’s first major economic driver to reach an annual output of €100 million. The industry’s value continues to rise annually, and it is presently approaching €120 billion in practical terms.
In addition to this, the country houses some of the world’s most popular culinary schools with expert and acclaimed Chefs. To help our readers narrow down the finest culinary schools in Spain with advanced degrees, we have created this article with all the details below.
Top Culinary Schools in Spain
To hone their culinary abilities, overseas students may choose from the following list of the best culinary schools in Spain.
1. Culinary Institute of Barcelona
The 2018-founded Culinary Institute of Barcelona ranks #1 amongst overseas students. This school is one of Spain’s leading advanced culinary institutes. This Spanish culinary academy is dedicated to enabling students to become accomplished chefs, and it consistently ranks amongst the country’s finest.
At the Culinary Institute of Barcelona, international students can earn a variety of degrees in the culinary arts, including “Haute Cuisine Chef diploma,” “Professional Pastry and Baking,” “Master in Pastry Chef diploma,” “Post-grad in Advanced Culinary Techniques,” “Molecular Gastronomy,” “Diploma in Executive Chef,” and “Entrepeneurchef.”
All of these degrees focus on imparting international students healthy culinary practices and advanced methods currently in demand by the industry. Because of its emphasis on diversity, originality, and innovation, the Culinary Institute of Barcelona aims to provide each student with a one-of-a-kind educational experience. Costs for these various degrees cost around €23,000 annually.
2. Basque Culinary Center Spain
The Basque Culinary Center has become an industry powerhouse because of its dedication to providing exceptional culinary training in Spain to aspiring chefs. The need for high-quality education in the culinary arts led to the establishment of the school.
The Basque Culinary Center in Spain is dedicated to improving both dietary and dining options in the region. There are two departments at this Spanish cuisine academy: Gastronomic Sciences and Food & Nutrition. The center’s most established program is the Bachelor of Science in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts.
The program’s objective is to provide students with the technical resources necessary to successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of a career in the culinary arts. Gourmet meal planning, preparation, and presentation are among the skills taught. Students will have the knowledge and experience to deliver novel culinary concepts.
In addition, there are a variety of Master’s programs available for international students. Subjects like Gastronomic Travel, Restaurant Pastry and Sweet Cuisine, Sommelier Research and Enomarketing, and Beverage Administration are available.
They also offer Doctorate courses in Gastronomic Tourism, Restaurant Pastry, and other majors. Their degrees such as Bachelors in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts have a total tuition fee for the academic year of €10,500 and may be paid in 10 equal monthly installments.
The Masters in Gastronomic Sciences has a total tuition fee of €13,660 which is payable in monthly installments for overseas students. In the academic year 2023–2024, the Basque Culinary Center Foundation’s Study Grant Commission, using its funds, has decided to provide financial help in the form of grants. These cover half of the enrollment costs for a minimum of 20% of students who are legitimately living in Spain.
3. CETT School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy
The next on our list of excellent culinary institutions in Spain is a world-renowned center for the study of innovative culinary arts and its teaching methods. Throughout its half-century history, CETT has grown into a central networking place, bridging the divide between the academic world and the corporate and government sectors.
International students who earn a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts and Gastronomic Sciences through this institute will be renowned for their leadership and management skills in the food business, local communities, and haute cuisine. Students will gain a multidisciplinary understanding of the culinary and gastronomic phenomena, including their scientific, technical, social, cultural, and managerial underpinnings.
Each year of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts and Sciences program requires students to complete 60 ECTS credits. All students get a foundational two years of education before specializing in one of two areas during years three and four.
The institute offers a diverse set of Scholarships for qualifying international students offering fee waivers and stipends, covering travel costs, accommodation, and other expenses.
4. Le Cordon Bleu, Madrid
Our next recommendation is Le Cordon Bleu which is ranked #80 in Spain while it comes under the 1000 Best Institutes of the globe. Le Cordon Bleu Madrid teaches its students how to interpret the culinary language to fully appreciate the art of cooking. The School provides options for students of all academic backgrounds and experience levels in its extensive curriculum for foreign students.
It has some of the top culinary programs in Spain including introductory courses for beginners, as well as extensive, technique-focused programs for professionals (Diplomas and Certificates), which are all on offer in the fields of Cuisine, Spanish Cuisine, Pastry, and Bakery. A Diploma in Culinary Management and a bachelor’s degree are also available via a partnership with the University Francisco de Vitoria.
Culinary courses such as Cuisine, Pastry and Confectionary, Hospitality Management and Gastronomy, Culinary Arts and Business, and Le Petits Blue are available at Le Cordon Blue Madrid for students worldwide.
Among the several scholarships they provide is one called the Student’s Skills and Personal Drive Grant. Foreign students are eligible for this award, which is judged on factors including their motivation and cooking prowess. The recipient will get €3,000 to go toward the cost of a Diploma program of their choosing. These include Pastry, Spanish Food, and French Food. This sum covers the expense of a whole Diploma.
5. Cooking Point Spain
Last on our list of top Spanish Culinary schools is the Cooking Point, with its excellence in training and native cuisine courses. Because of its strong local roots, Cooking Point Spain offers courses that emphasize and celebrate Spanish cuisine. It is the greatest resource for international students interested in a profession in Spanish cuisine.
It provides a Paella cooking class devoted to teaching students to prepare Spanish cuisine; throughout this course, foreign students get training by expert chefs trained in making global Spanish delicacies. In addition, Cooking Point Spain offers a Tapas cooking class that teaches participants ways to prepare traditional Spanish tapas and sangria.
FAQs: Studying Culinary Arts in Spain
Which Culinary School in Spain Offers the Best Scholarship Opportunities to Int’l Students?
Spanish cuisine has earned international acclaim because of its regional foods and specialized dishes. Moreover, the country provides several opportunities for overseas students concerning culinary courses. Among the best options in Le Cordon Blue is that it provides students with several Scholarship programs to aid with the financial strain of the course.
Among the many forms of Scholarship, they provide, including grants for students regarding family-related financial aid, mention of excellence grants, and the Student’s Skills and Personal Drive Grant. This scholarship is open to international students and is decided based on criteria including ambition and culinary skills €3,000 will be awarded to help cover the cost of a Diploma program of the winner’s selection. Pastry, Spanish, and French cuisines are among them. The whole cost of a Diploma may be covered by this amount.
Culinary skills are essential to thrive in this modern food world. To learn the latest techniques, our list of the top 5 best culinary schools in Spain might help students gain information regarding all the courses they provide.
We hope that this article on the best culinary schools in Spain was of maximum help to you. You can also find more information on different European universities and scholarship opportunities on the Study in Spain and Available Programs for International Students pages.
