5 of the top culinary schools in the world

Chef schools teach you everything there is to know about cooking and everything that goes with the job. If you only know how to fry an egg when you enroll then at the end of your studies you would be walking out like a master chef, making hollandaise sauces, ciabatta and creme brûlée. That is , of course if you choose the right chef school.

Listed are top culinary schools in the world that are highly recommended. Some famous chefs have been trained on the job, without going to a culinary academy, but it is a lot more work and hard hours that you have to put in. Chef schools definitely toughen you up for the better.You could take it one step further and specialize at a pastry chef school is that is what you want, but a general culinary school is a good place to start. Starting at one of these schools will set you on your way to becoming a gourmet chef.

This school is not an intense, routine-like program, but more of a cooking holiday with sight-seeing tours of the local area. People come from all over the world to this school, whether they are keen Italian foodies or in the chef trade wanting to learn the latest trends. The Tuscany based school instructs their students how to make different kinds of bread and pizza with a wood fired oven. The school also includes olive oil and wine tasting with many other baking courses on offer.The estate dates back to the 15^th century making it unique and accommodation is provided for. Celebrity chef, Gary Rhodes recommends this school.

I seem to be slightly biased when it comes to this school, only because it was the academy I attended. Students are trained by the best which why I feel it’s the best in South Africa. Unlike a lot of schools where a teacher is giving theory lessons out of a book. Chefs Garth Stroebel and Paul Hartmann have been in the industry for years, working all over the world, before opening this school in 2004. Six hours of practical work are completed everyday for the year program, but the school also provides shorter courses. Samantha Waring is the accomplished pastry chef at the school.

With thee different campuses, over 40 kitchens and 100 instructors this is one of the top culinary schools in America. People come from all over the world to attend.

This is also one of the most expensive schools, but most of the students receive aid, which is beneficial. Career opportunities are also excellent once students have graduated. The degree programs at the CIA make it a well recognized academy to attend. There is definitely nothing relaxing about any of the programs. This is definitely not a school for the faint-hearted. Even famous chef, Antony Bourdain, found it an intense program. Everyone that come out of the Institute already has an excellent reputation in front of them, enabling them to work all over the world.

Situated in New York, students learn to combine traditional French cooking skills with modern, westernised cuisine. Classes can either be broken up either into a six or a nine month program of intense training. Different pastry and baking courses are also offered on a short-term basis. Classes are small so help is always at hand. The opportunity to cook at one of the top New York restaurants is within reach once students have completed their program and practical work is also performed at one of the restaurants in the New York vicinity.

This is one of the top culinary schools in the world with over 20, 000 students completing and graduating every year. The Cordon Bleu was founded in 1886 making it the oldest school in the world, which houses a massive eight different campuses in the world. The main campus started in Paris with London, Australia and Canada being a few more of the sister sites. The syllabus is based on the father of French cuisine, Auguste Escoffier, but also includes modern ways with food. Various degree and Masters programs are also on offer. Students come to the school from all over the world. Some students graduate at chefs and work at top restaurants and hotels and others take up other careers in journalism, food management, restaurant businesses or styling to name a few.