The best cooking schools in Britain

Do you want to become a certified chef, develop in the field of fine cooking and, in general, do what you love? Then you definitely need to take courses at a culinary school.

We recommend that you look at the UK as there is a huge selection of cookery courses/schools and some schools are in the top Top 5 Culinary Schools/Courses Worldwide. In this article, we have selected the most popular culinary schools in different directions and for different budgets of the future student.

1. Leiths School of Food & Wine

This cooking school was founded in 1975 by restaurateur and writer Prue Leith. The school is a leading academy and probably one of the best schools in London. The Duchess of Cambridge attended a 2-week Enthusiast course at this school. They offer professional courses from 1 to 3 months or courses for amateur home cooks.

This school will suit you if you want to pursue a culinary career: whether you want to become a chef, build a business in the field of public catering or become a private chef. In the future, all students can get a job in the best Michelin-starred restaurants.

Leiths School of Food & Wine

2. Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu is the main, oldest and most important culinary school in the world. It is a place where the kitchen has been transformed into a systematic academic field and where there is something called the art of teaching. And it is somewhat different from ordinary culinary technical schools.

A bit of history? Le Cordon Bleu teaches not only cooking, but above all the understanding of gastronomy, which was established by Auguste Escoffier at the end of the 19th century and which made the reputation of French cuisine in the 20th century. Restaurant equipment all over the world is based on this philosophy.

The main branches of the school are in Paris and London, the Paris school is more than 100 years old, the London school is about 80 years old. The school has the best teachers , and the London and Paris branches are a single pool of chefs.

Studies at Le Cordon Bleu are three courses, each of which lasts about four months (along with exams, etc. d.). You can choose one of two departments – culinary or confectionery. Theoretical, thematic and practical classes are held during the course.

The main thing that Le Cordon Bleu gives is not the ability to cook or knowledge about food. Each of us collects them in one way or another throughout our lives. But like any good study, Le Cordon Bleu gives you the opportunity to systematize what you knew or guessed.

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School website

3.Chef Academy of London

At this school, all courses are held at a professional level, and all students train in a restaurant with a chef-trainer. Students experience everything a live professional kitchen does, from selecting fresh produce to balancing food costs. The Academy of Chefs claims to be the only school that offers this type of training and guarantees a 100% employment rate upon completion of their professional courses.

The following courses are offered: Hospitality Management and Advanced Food Science Course, Professional Chef Course, Professional Chef Course, Michelin Star Chef Course, professional Italian cuisine course, professional confectionery and confectionery program, professional basic confectionery and confectionery with an advanced level.

Chef Academy of London website

4. Waitrose Cookery School

“Informal, informative and full of fun” is how Whiteross describes its cookery courses.

Waitrose Cookery School offers a choice of day and evening courses. During the day courses, students spend the morning preparing the recipes and then eat what they made in the morning for lunch. Demonstrations are held during the day allow students to participate in practical classes. Gift certificates are available for friends and family and the school has also recently opened a school in Salisbury in Wiltshire.

Waitrose Cookery School Motto: “From humble bread to gourmet cuisine, we think cooking should be a joy. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, getting stuck in, and then enjoying the fruits of your labor.”

Waitrose Cookery School website

In order to start studying at culinary schools in the UK, you need student visa to England for 6 or 11 months, or Tier 4 (if the training period is more than 11 months). We deal with the specified visa categories and are ready to provide a 15% discount if you go to courses at one of these culinary schools.