Best Culinary Schools in Spain: Study at the Top Spanish Institutions

France is often the top choice for aspiring chefs to hone their culinary skills.

But Spain is another European powerhouse that is revolutionizing gastronomic education.

Spain has a rich food culture, varied regional cuisines, 291 Michelin-starred restaurants, and a vibrant hospitality industry.

Whether you are interested in the molecular gastronomy pioneered by Ferran Adrià of elBulli or the traditional coastal cuisine, Spain's culinary schools offer world-class education that can help you have a successful career in the global food industry.

With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to navigate the landscape of culinary education in Spain.

We've taken a lot of the guesswork out of the process by presenting you with this guide to the best culinary schools in Spain, including everything from tuition costs and duration to languages and modes of instruction.

We've thoroughly researched each institution's unique strengths to help you make an informed decision about your culinary education.

Merlot grape, Son Bordils vineyard, Inca, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Criteria for the Best Culinary Schools in Spain

For our list of the best culinary schools in Spain, we’ve narrowed down the top options based on the following criteria:

• 1. Reputation and perception of the school within Spain and internationally

• 2. Range of programs, including diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s, and professional

• 3. Internships or industry placement opportunities

• 4. Language flexibility to determine whether the instruction is in Spanish only or bilingual/English

• 5. Unique offerings, e.g., focus on Spanish cuisine, seafood specialization, etc.

• 6. Accessibility for international students in terms of support, language, and the admission process.

5 Best Culinary Schools in Spain

Based on the criteria above, here are our top picks for culinary schools in Spain.

1. Basque Culinary Center — San Sebastián

The homepage of the Basque Culinary Center's website.

The Basque Culinary Center (BCC) is Spain’s most prestigious culinary institution. It is located in San Sebastián and is known for its innovative approach towards gastronomy.

BCC operates as a part of the Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences within Mondragon University. It means the center has a robust academic infrastructure, while keeping its focus on culinary arts and gastronomic research.

The founding patrons of the Basque Culinary Center were the legendary Basque chefs Juan Mari Arzak and Andoni Luis Aduriz. Other chefs like Pedro Subijana and Martín Berasategu have also become the center’s patrons since its inception in 2011.

Programs Offered:

The Basque Culinary Center offers a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, which is affiliated with Mondragon University and recognized throughout Europe.

Additionally, students have two different specialization pathways to choose from in their final years:

• ✅ Culinary Avant-Garde that focuses on innovative techniques and product knowledge

• ✅ Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship focuses on business management and entrepreneurial skills.

The center also offers master's programs, doctoral programs, and specialized courses for professionals.

Unique Offerings

The integration of academic knowledge with real-world culinary innovation makes BCC one of the best culinary schools in Spain.

The center has a Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences and BCC Innovation, where students can think like culinary entrepreneurs and innovators.

Also of note: BCC has a fourth-floor cafeteria that is open to the public. This is where students prepare meals for real guests and get real-time experience and feedback.

2. Le Cordon Bleu Madrid

The homepage of the Le Cordon Bleu Madrid's website.

Le Cordon Bleu carries a lot of weight in the culinary world. Its Paris campus was declared to be the best culinary school in the world in 2021.

The Madrid campus was established as the third European school after Paris and London.

It brings over 125 years of French culinary excellence to Spain in the form of culinary school Madrid.

Programs Offered

Le Cordon Bleu Madrid offers a comprehensive variety of programs, including:

• ✅ Individual certificates - Basic, Intermediate, and Superior levels in Cuisine, Pastry, or Spanish Cuisine.

• ✅ Complete Diplomas that have a duration of 9 months each with two types of schedules: Standard (3 days, 6h/day, Mon - Sat) and Intensive (6 days, 6h/day, Mon - Sat).

• ✅ The prestigious Grand Diplôme® that combines Cuisine and Pastry Diplomas.

• ✅ A diploma in Spanish Cuisine of 9 months that celebrates regional Spanish gastronomy.

Students can also pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Gastronomy at Le Cordon Bleu Madrid in collaboration with the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria.

Unique Offerings

Le Cordon Bleu Madrid is located on the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria campus in Pozuelo de Alarcón.

Such a prime location provides students with access to university facilities while maintaining the school's signature hands-on teaching methodology.

The strength of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school Madrid is in classical French cooking techniques, with the combination of Spanish culinary traditions.

Moreover, students get to learn from Michelin-starred chef instructors and potentially get access to a three-month voluntary internship program.

3. Culinary Institute of Barcelona (CIB)

The homepage of the Culinary Institute of Barcelona's website.

The Culinary Institute of Barcelona (CIB) was founded in 2018.

It has become a symbol of a new generation of culinary education in a short span of time. Innovative teaching methodologies, including adopting the teaching model of Silicon Valley, and an emphasis on being a cooking school for international students, have made CIB a popular culinary school in Spain.

Programs Offered

CIB has many different programs that cater to people at different career stages. Some of the popular programs are:

• ✅ The flagship Haute Cuisine Chef Diploma has a duration of 8 months of classes plus 3-6 months of internship.

• ✅ Professional Pastry and Baking Program (3 months)

• ✅ Advanced Pastry and Chocolate Program (3 months)

• ✅ Gran Chef Diploma (20 months) combines the Haute Cuisine Chef Diploma with a specialization (Integrative Healthy Cooking, Molecular Gastronomy, Professional Pastry, or Advanced Culinary Techniques) plus the Executive Chef Diploma focused on business management.

Unique Offerings

The Culinary Institute of Barcelona’s teaching methodology is composed of three key components: product knowledge, technology, and context.

Instead of teaching students to reproduce recipes, the school has a special focus on being creative, innovative, and getting good at problem solving.

For example, students are taught to use formulation as a science to create new culinary proposals.

Other than the cooking techniques, the school also emphasizes developing 21st-century skills, including entrepreneurship and leadership.

4. EUHT StPOL – Sant Pol de Mar, Barcelona

The homepage of the EUHT StPOL's website.

The University College of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts of Sant Pol de Mar (EUHT StPOL) is the first university-level education and training center in Spain that started offering a Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The school is also ranked #1 in Spain and among the top 30 worldwide in Hospitality and Leisure Management by QS World University Rankings.

Its unique model involves the training hotel being open to real guests, so students can learn not only cooking, but also many other aspects of hospitality while gaining real-life experience.

Programs Offered

The flagship Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality and Culinary Business Management provides different specialization options to students, including Hospitality Management, Restoration and Events Management, or Gastronomy and Kitchen Management. The program is affiliated with the University of Girona.

The school also offers several other programs, such as the Technical Degree in Gastronomy and Restaurant Service (Spanish only), Master's programs, and short programs.

Unique Offerings

EUHT StPOL has a highly diverse campus with students from more than 46 nationalities.

Its “Learning by Doing” philosophy is also great for students who want to get hands-on experience from the very first day. It is useful to learn how to deal with a variety of real customers.

Moreover, the kind of practical immersion offered by EUHT StPOL is impressive.

Students get to work in various areas related to hospitality, including the kitchen, bakery, reception, and purchasing department, all under the supervision of professional staff.

A number of Michelin-star chefs have studied at EUHT StPOL, which further cements its position as one of the best culinary schools in Spain.

5. Escuela Bell Art

The homepage of the Escuela Bell Art's website.

Escuela Bell Art was the first cooking and pastry school established in Barcelona in 1977.

It is meant for students who are looking for shorter cooking programs instead of complete university degrees. The school is primarily known for its practical and hands-on training.

Programs Offered

The school offers different practical professional courses that have a duration of 12 months. 9 months are for the internship at the school's center, while 3 months are for an internship at the top restaurants in Spain.

The offered courses cover many disciplines, such as Chef Training in Cooking and Pastry, Healthy Pastry Chef, Holistic Chef, and many others.

Unique Offerings

Escuela Bell Art stands out as a practical culinary school in Spain. Its curriculum covers creative, gourmet, and avant-garde cuisine and imparts practical skills to students.

Most importantly, the shorter program length is highly appealing to a lot of students who want professional training without committing to a four-year program.

The fact that this cooking school also includes a 3-month internship within its program is also beneficial for students, as well as chefs taking continuing education courses to gain practical experience.

However, it is vital to remember that Escuela Bell Art's language of instruction is only Spanish. Its website is also only in Spanish, which means only native-Spanish speakers or international students with a good command of Spanish can enroll in this culinary school in Spain.

Job Opportunities After Graduating From A Top Culinary School in Spain

Once you complete a program successfully from any of the best culinary schools in Spain, you can expect the following internship and job opportunities:

• 🚀 Many top schools offer internships by connecting you with well-known restaurants. For example, the EUHT StPOL Master program offers internships in Michelin-starred restaurants.

• 🚀 Spain, and specifically cities like Madrid and Barcelona, has a thriving hospitality sector, so there is always demand for well-trained culinary & hospitality professionals.

• 🚀 International students can choose to either work within Spain or use their education in their native countries. Knowing both Spanish and English can be a huge advantage here.

• 🚀 If you want to work in a high-end kitchen, it is vital to choose a relevant school and program, such as the Culinary Institute of Barcelona or the Basque Culinary Center.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve discussed the 5 best culinary schools in Spain, but you can find many other similar institutes.

The key thing to remember is that choosing the right culinary school in Spain can be your first step towards having an exciting global career in food and hospitality.

With a rich food culture, a number of world-famous chefs, and diverse cuisines, Spain is a great place for aspiring chefs to learn both classic and modern cooking techniques.

So, whether you are interested in traditional Spanish gastronomy or international cuisine, you should explore schools like Le Cordon Bleu Madrid, CIB, Basque Culinary Center, or others, to get a top-quality education and hands-on training.

If you wish to compare culinary schools in other countries, check out our articles on culinary schools in France, Italy, the United States, and Mexico.

Lastly, there's nothing wrong with recognizing if you don't currently have the means to study fulltime or travel abroad.

Or possibly, you may simply want to start learning the basic to intermediate culinary skills from home, especially before committing to a full program in Spain.

In that case, consider our article regarding online cooking schools.

Whatever path you choose, we wish you the best as you continue to invest in your culinary education and career!

Tables on the terrace at El Bulli restaurant, Cala Montjoi, Costa Brava in Spain.