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Best Culinary Schools in Asia

Do you dream of knowing the best culinary schools in asia? Are you looking for information about best culinary schools in asia? If you answered โ€˜Yesโ€™ to any of these questions, then this article is all the information you need.

Keep reading to know the latest information about best culinary schools in asia, best culinary school in southeast asia, best culinary schools in the world ranking, top culinary schools in the world, best culinary schools in the world 2020. All these and more  can be found on Collegelearners.

Top Culinary Schools in Asia

If you want to bring your Asian cooking skills to the next level, here are some of the best culinary schools in Asia

Have you ever tasted a dish and immediately felt like you were home? Something rooted in its aromatic taste and homespun features that bring you to a simpler time? This sensation just happens to be Asiaโ€™s bread and butter. Asian food is greatly linked to historical values and cultural essences. 

The process of creating delectable dishes takes more than just advanced techniques and persistency. Itโ€™s a bit clichรฉ, but food almost always tastes better with doses of passion and nostalgia cooked in. And whatโ€™s a better way of encompassing yourself in this artistry than stepping into Asiaโ€™s borders and learning how? Dive into a world of vigor and spirit with these top-notch Asian cooking schools:

1. Dubai: The International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA):

The ICCA is regarded as one of the top ten culinary institutes in the world. Chefs from all over the world have granted it the honor for Recognition of Quality Culinary Education. With expertise from this institution, there’s no doubt that one will be able to work at four- and five-star restaurants around the world. The workshops cover a wide range of topics, including how to make excellent cakes, pastries, pizza, bread, chocolates, gelato, and much more. There is a distinct program for sugar crafts and decoration classes. No problem if you wish to specialize in menu structuring and team building. It’s all in one place.

So far, ICCA may seem a bit daunting with its array of features and specialties, but the best part of this institution is that it requires no prior background in cooking and baking. If youโ€™re dedicated and desire to immerse yourself in the journey of it all, well, thatโ€™s all you need. 

To enroll in the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA), tuition costs $14,000 inclusive of visa and accommodation.

2. China: The Sichuan Higher Institute of Cuisine (SHIC)

SHIC is the only place in China that allows culinary students to take long-term and short-term courses in the countryโ€™s classic and complex Szechuan cuisine. World-renowned chefs, restaurant proprietors and food bloggers and journalists have been partaking in the instituteโ€™s programs since 1985. 

Szechuan cuisine is rooted in Chinaโ€™s history and traditions. It is best characterized as an eclectic smack of rich flavors and spices mixed in with seasoned textures. The best way to describe the palate is that itโ€™s deliciously intense. Lately, Chinese food culture and techniques have been sweeping the culinary world by storm and this might just be the perfect place to attain the unique mastery. 

SHICโ€™s short-term curriculum provides classes that aid in the basics of food preparation such as cutting skills, small plates, steamed and sauteed dishes, cold starters and plate work. All students gain access to kitchen facilities and literature regarding the science, philosophy and art of cooking Chinese dishes. The long-term curriculum offers a masterโ€™s degree in nutrition and cooking. There are other courses in tourism, catering and hotel and restaurant administration. 

The campus is located in Chengdu, China and it offers state-of-the-art recreation facilities such as demonstration labs, a library, a gym, a golf course, a stadium and a swimming pool. It is easily accessible through public transit as the compound is placed in downtown Chengdu. Faculty members are award-winning chefs so trust me, you will be in safe, credible hands.

To enroll in the Sichuan Higher Institute of Cuisine, tuition costs $400 to $900 monthly.

3. Japan: Hattori Nutrition College

Leading Japanโ€™s most reputable culinary college is Yukio Hattori, a famous chef and nutritionist who also happens to be the host of a popular Japanese cooking show, Iron Chef. Hattori has constructed and designed his cooking courses to cater to the cultivation of peopleโ€™s body and mind, also known as the practice of shokuiku. The chef believes that delicious food would be incomplete without the certainty of health and environmental safety. Hattori Nutrition College is the leading institute in Japan with a wide international following. 

Many people want to traverse the world of cooking and nutrition but itโ€™s more than just having a steady hand and an understanding of general well-being. Itโ€™s about cooking food that inspires a peaceful mind and to achieve that, one would need to place themselves in that bearing. Hattori brings you to that higher level of understanding. With this new mentality, the truest composition of food begins.

Students have the option of choosing a program in nutrition, the culinary arts and culinary business administration. Each course contains various subjects linked to the base program which collectively aid in the complete mastery of the curriculum. Regardless of experience, students will discover their specializations and identity throughout their stay in the institution as its very essence is to promote cooking with a healthy mind and soul. The experience is dynamic and eye-opening, to say the least.

A degree from Hattori Nutrition College is a ticket to opportunities all over the world, not to mention possible culinary stardom. The knowledge that one has attended the college is an international currency that will boost reputations and bring them one step closer to blossoming success.

To enroll in Hattori Nutrition College, tuition is $5,600 to $6,700 every year.

4. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Culinary Academy (HKCA)

The Hong Kong Culinary Academy has been bringing professional training services to the table since 2005. It is the perfect place to be prepped for the harsh, unforgiving world of the food industry. It wonโ€™t be too long before one meets those incredibly high standards through the qualifications that only HKCA can provide. 

Some of the academyโ€™s faculty members are European and American chefs that incorporate various cooking perspectives and techniques that would benefit students if they so choose to embark on their culinary adventure elsewhere. And if they choose to stay, well, the institution is dedicated to bringing an interesting spin to western dishes within its borders. Talk about a win-win. 

The academy does not just train students with their culinary endeavors. They believe that personal discipline and diligence is just as important as being a good cook. HKCA ensures that no student leaves the establishment without the right attitude and work ethic. One could be a terrific chef, but without appropriate discipline and control, how far could they possibly go?

To enroll inย Hong Kongย Culinary Academy, tuition costs $18,000 for two years, excluding miscellaneous fees. It is mandatory for applicants to take the IELTS for English proficiency to get an interview.

5. Thailand: MSC Thai Culinary School

MSC Thai Culinary School offers a year-long course that offers programs that adhere to the highest standards of culinary education. The schoolโ€™s core mission is to guide students through practical and theoretical cooking skills in a cultivated environment. It is imperative that students evolve into highly skilled chefs with outstanding occupational prospects ahead of them. 

They offer short-term programs for people who want to dive into that experience without too much commitment. They provide brief courses for restaurant entrepreneurs, half-day courses for a condensed understanding of its processes and fun weekend courses that feature fruit and vegetable carving, family cooking, dessert-making and many more. 

The establishment is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Thailand Professional Qualification Institute. 

To enroll in MSC Thai Culinary School, tuition is $2,760 for a year. To be accepted into the program, one is required to pass the examination issued by the World Association of Chefs Societies.

What are you waiting for? Asian culinary brilliance is just around the corner!

The 5 Best Culinary Schools In The World You Should Consider

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Miscellaneous

The ICCA is rated as one of the world’s top ten culinary schools. It has received the award for Recognition of Quality Culinary Education from chefs all over the world. There’s little doubt that someone with this institution’s knowledge will be able to work at four- and five-star restaurants all around the world. The seminars cover a wide range of themes, such as how to make delicious cakes, pastries, pizza, bread, chocolates, gelato, and more. Sugar crafts and decoration lessons have their own program. If you want to focus on menu planning and team building, that’s no problem. Everything is at one spot.

Best Culinary Institutes In The World

best culinary schools in the world

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, USA


Located in the US, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts was named after the famous Auguste Escoffier who started his career at a young age of 13. Modern French cuisine was revolutionized by him after having impacted the history of culinary arts. 

What does it offer?

This is one of the best culinary schools in the world offering specializations in culinary and pastry arts education. You could either do a diploma or a degree programme for either of the subjects. An added advantage of studying here is that you will also receive career services during your studies and upon completion of your graduation so you need not have to worry about finding a job.

Did you know that the system of a la carte was brought into menus after the great Chef Escoffier?

Course Fees: 

  • Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts: $30,935 (including additional supplies)
  • Pastry Arts Diploma: $18,085 inclusive of supplies
  • Online Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations: $17,770

Apicius, Italy


Apicius International School of hospitality was the first of its kind in Italy, established in 1997. It has now grown to be the thriving center of cuisine, wine, and hospitality. The academic structure at this school consists of lectures, workshops and seminars giving students an extraordinary experience. What makes it one of the best culinary schools in the world is that the education is not limited to workshops and seminars. It also links students with the local community for experience in hospitality, catering, and management.

What are the courses offered?

Considered to be one of the best cooking schools in the world, this institute has 2 schools:

  1. The School of Food and Wine Studies: Offers Baking and Pastry; Culinary Arts; Dietetics and Nutrition; Food and Culture; Food, Family, and Consumer Sciences; Wine and Culture; and Wine Expertise
  2. The School of Hospitality: Offers Hospitality and Tourism Management; Hotel and Lodging Management; Restaurant, Food, and Beverage Management; and Spa Management.

You can also study a hotel management course with the help of study abroad scholarships for hotel management.

Le Cordon Bleu, Paris

best culinary schools in the world

Le Cordon Bleu, also known as the guardian of French techniques ranks amongst the top culinary institutions of the world. There are over 40 campuses stretched across 5 continents from Tokyo to Lima.  It is also known to be the largest culinary and hospitality school in the world. If you opt for the Le Grand Diploma programme, you will receive comprehensive training in the classic French culinary techniques that combines the diploma in cuisine and diploma in pastry. 

Programmes Offered:

You can study at Le Cordon Bleu, one of the best culinary schools in the world by opting from any of the following programmes:

  • Pastry & Confectionery
  • Cuisine of the World
  • Hospitality Management & Gastronomy
  • Wine & Spirits, Gastronomy & Nutrition
  • Culinary Arts & Business
  • Continuing Education & Professional Development
  • Gourmet & Short Courses
  • Bakery, Danish Pastries & Artisan Breads, Cheese
  • Tourism, Conventions & Events
  • Le Petits Cordons Bleus  

Westminster Kingsway College, London


Known for its excellence in Culinary Arts and Hospitality, this school is situated in the center of London operating across four campuses including Kingโ€™s Cross Centre, Victoria Centre, Soho Centre, and Regentโ€™s Park Centre. It has been regarded as one of the best culinary schools in the world ever since its inception in 1909.

Courses Offered:

The range of courses begins with the Young Chef Academy for teens aged between 13 and 16 who are interested in becoming a chef. There is also a  five-week Saturday course which is ยฃ100 per person and includes everything a budding chef will need. Alternatively, you can opt for a culinary degree with fees of around ยฃ9,000 and a patisserie degree for around ยฃ8,500.

Culinary Arts Academy, Switzerland

best culinary schools in the world

Reputed to be one of the best culinary schools in the world, Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland helps students focus on entrepreneurship along with developing their kitchen skills. The school has an accommodation for only 300 students so the competition to get an entry is pretty tough. Why does this institute rank amongst the best culinary arts schools in the world? This is due to their approach in teaching and refining students. With an approach to culinary traditions that reflects modern trends, trainees will become experts in international cuisine from traditional culinary basics to international fine-dining methods.  

What is offered?

The Academy offers a variety of study options, from one-term education courses to three-year Bachelorโ€™s education programmes. Courses include:

  • Bachelorโ€™s Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Swiss Grand Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Swiss Grand Diploma in Pastry and Chocolate Arts
  • Diploma in Vegetarian Culinary Arts

Popular International Culinary Schools

For culinary students, there is no better training than first-hand exposure to native cuisine.  Resumes of the worldโ€™s most celebrated chefs contain work entries from around the globe.  Apprenticeships and other study modules place chefs under the tutelage of international food professionals, who aptly convey the nuances of their motherlandโ€™s gastronomy.

Have you thought what it might be like to study at an international culinary school?  France is a relatively obvious hotbed of classical culinary traditions to be sure, but there are other regions that warrant a second look. Consider the following – the culinary adventure that unfolds in your mind, as you contemplate these questions, comes to life when you study internationally: 

  • What ethnic foods inspire you most? 
  • Which European cities, for you, hold positions of Epicurean esteem?
  • Do your culinary tendencies move you toward a particular cultural specialty, like Asian-fusion or Thai? 

The global food culture embraces the culinary cross-pollination that occurs when multicultural chefs exchange recipes and ideas. Your stock goes up, as a chef, when you embrace a variety of cultural approaches to food.  U.S. programs often partner with international entities for work-study reciprocity, so travelling to other countries to study is sometimes made possible by enrollment in a domestic Culinary Arts Degree program.  But for dedicated chef students there is no substitute for immersion training at an international culinary school.

The most popular international cooking schools are found in progressive, dynamic cities around the globe.

International culinary academies offer more than just degrees or kitchen skills, they provide access to regional cuisine, famous restaurants, acclaimed chefs and culturally flavored food knowledge โ€“ at the source.

restaurant kitchen

European Culinary Arts Academies

Thoughts of France, England, and Italy inspire images of rich cuisine, evolving for thousands of years, and somehow noble in its traditions.  Certainly, domestic culinary adventures include forays into international cooking, but the โ€˜melting potโ€™ influence of American culture surely dilutes the impact of authentic ethnic meals.

Enrolled as a culinary arts student In Europe, youโ€™ll be exposed to artisanal practices and classical preparations that keep cultural influences in tact, on the plate.  French culinary tradition is the gold standard for chef instruction, and youโ€™ll quickly discover one of the top international culinary schools, at home in Paris, France. Le Cordon Bleu academies, which are found throughout the United States, teach the curriculum spawned by the famous French school.

Types of cooking schools youโ€™ll find in Europe:

  • Mainstream commercial hospitality and restaurant management schools.
  • Commercial culinary arts schools that provide degree programs.
  • Small, private cookery schools that cater to enthusiasts, student chefs and professional chefs.
  • Cook and Taste โ€“ Barcelona
  • International Cooking School โ€“ Bologna
  • Kitchen at Camont โ€“ Gascony
  • Cooking ala Turka โ€“ Istanbul
  • Billingsgate Seafood Training School โ€“ London
  • The School of Artisan Food โ€“ London
  • La Cuisine Paris โ€“ Paris
  • Ballymaloe Cookery School – Ireland

Canadian Culinary Schools

Canadian cities are multicultural by design, so regional cuisine is a natural gastronomic melting pot of flavors and influences. French-fusion and uniquely influenced English dishes like Yorkshire Pudding portray Canadaโ€™s colonial heritage.  Hardy cuisine that reflects the bounty of the land includes wild game and smoked meats.

Salmon and cod provide regional counterparts to earthy indigenous agriculture, like wild mushrooms โ€“chanterelle, morel and puffball.  As a Canadian culinary arts student, your recipe book might include a Caribou and Fiddlehead Fern recipe; or another regional interpretation called โ€˜poutineโ€™, French fries with cheese curds and gravy.

What tricks have Canadian chefs learned from their American colleagues? And vice versa? Pursuing a culinary arts education in Canada places you in the perfect position to answer these questions and add international cred to your resume.  Le Cordon Bleu, and other culinary educators operate in Canada, as well as a wide variety of independent cooking institutes. Check out top cooking schools in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

chef training

Asian Cooking Schools

Some of the worldโ€™s most pleasing food traditions are born in Asia. Youโ€™ll find a few culinary schools in Asian countries that cater to international visitors, by offering English-language cooking instruction. Learn kitchen skills, cooking styles, and become an expert in the special ingredients used in ethnic Asian preparations.

How to present true Asian dishes is a skill best learned at the source, so consider large and small culinary schools in the Pacific Rim for specialized training. Beware that in some cases you might need to speak the native language.
Use this guide to explore:

  • Thai culinary schools
  • Japan cooking schools
  • Singapore chef training programs

Down Under Cookery Programs

Australia and New Zealand have consistently temperate climates, beautiful stretches of beach, and in some places; rugged mountains. The resulting tourist economy provides fertile ground for culinary exploration, and valuable opportunities for ambitious chef students.

Full-scale culinary educators are present in Australia, but smaller cooking schools also admirably handle the job of creating employable chefs.  Orange Regional Cooking School exemplifies the smaller paradigm with intimate instruction in several specialty areas. The Sydney Seafood School is a unique place to learn about the coastal bounty; and how to prepare it. Professionals and enthusiasts alike are invited to join in classes that shed light on the culinary strengths of the region.Finding a culinary school in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane; or in Auckland, New Zealand is relatively easy, but donโ€™t be afraid to think outside the box for a culinary education – off the beaten path.


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