Best Culinary Schools in Switzerland: Study at the Top Swiss Institutions

While France is considered to be the pinnacle of culinary education, it would not be wrong to say that Switzerland is the best country in the world to get a hospitality management degree and culinary training.

While the above statement might seem like an exaggeration, it is supported by QS World University Rankings 2025 by Subject: Hospitality & Leisure Management QS World University Rankings 2025 by Subject: Hospitality & Leisure Management, which features seven Switzerland-based institutions in the top 10 positions.

Most of these institutes are focused on hospitality management, but the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland at the eighth position is the only dedicated culinary school to be in the top 10 position from anywhere in the world.

This further validates Switzerland's position as a global leader for hospitality management and culinary arts education.

That being said, it is also true that a Switzerland culinary school is not likely to be the first choice for most students. This is primarily due to a strong historical reputation, diverse gastronomy, and global celebrity chefs coming from institutions in countries like France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico and Spain.

But attending an international school is a big decision, and you are likely already considering multiple schools in multiple countries. So, the biggest question is Why Switzerland? What makes it different?

Well, the fact that Switzerland has the best hospitality management education institutes is already a major pull for a lot of people. But other than that, you should also know that Swiss culinary schools are built on a strong foundation of professional cooking + hospitality and business management.

In this article, you’ll discover that whether you are looking for a culinary-specific degree, a fast-tracked program, short courses, or a Swiss culinary arts certificate combined with a Bachelor's degree, you can find it all in Switzerland, thanks to the variety of institutes.

Let's get started.

Think Switzerland doesn't have top culinary schools? Think again, friend!

Criteria for the Best Culinary Schools in Switzerland

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

• 1. Academic Reputation: Our list includes culinary institutions with strong international recognition, including QS World University Rankings, industry awards, and affiliations with other universities.

• 2. Program Diversity: The best culinary schools are the ones that offer multiple pathways, ranging from short certificate programs to full bachelor's and master's degrees.

• 3. Specialization Strengths: Each school on this list excels in particular areas, such as pastry and chocolate arts or overall culinary business management.

• 4. Internships and Industry Connections: Strong partnerships with hotels and whether a culinary school offers guaranteed internships also have a deep impact on its quality and reputation.

• 5. Language Accessibility: Language is a key factor when choosing culinary schools in Switzerland for international students. Most people don’t actually want to learn a whole new language to get an international education. The top culinary schools in Switzerland all have English as their primary language of instruction, though secondary language options are also available.

Based on these factors, let's look at some of the best culinary schools in Switzerland:

1. Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland (CAAS) – Le Bouveret

Ranked 8th globally in QS World University Rankings 2025 Hospitality and Leisure Management, the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland is the only culinary school among the top 10 of this prestigious ranking.

This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about CAAS's academic excellence and industry reputation.

Programs Offered:

Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland offers multiple programs with varying pathways. The Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts has two specialization pathways: Culinary Arts and Pastry & Chocolate Arts.

Moreover, the Master of Arts in Culinary Business Management and the Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts and Swiss Diploma in Pastry Arts are also offered.

Such extensive programs cover the modern dining trends and cater to all kinds of students wanting to master the overall culinary arts or specialize in pastry or business management.

Unique Offerings

The Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland stands out due to its strong integration of culinary arts with business education.

It recognizes the fact that today's successful chefs also have to be familiar with food cost management, brand building, and menu development.

What truly elevates CAAS above other Swiss and European culinary schools is not only its high ranking or facilities, but the depth of industry integration.

It has long-term partnerships with prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotel brands. World-renowned chef Anton Mosimann is the honorary dean of the institute and also part of the faculty.

This gives students direct access to quality mentorship and exposure that's hard to find in other culinary schools.

2. EHL Hotel School Passugg

Anyone interested in mastering culinary arts and polishing their creativity skills should consider enrolling at EHL Hotel School. The programs at this institute include access to diverse kitchens, workshops, and a broad curriculum that combines modern gastronomy with traditional Swiss cooking techniques.

Students are also taught innovative cooking skills with plant-based cuisine, local Alpine ingredients, fermentation, and many other sustainable techniques. Overall, the culinary education at EHL is composed of 3 main pillars:

• 1. Palate development

• 2. Nurturing creativity

• 3. Fostering social responsibility

This philosophy involves engaging all five senses and ensuring sustainability is a core element of modern gastronomy.

Programs Offered

The Swiss Professional Degree with Culinary Arts specialization is a great opportunity for students interested in hospitality management, along with learning culinary skills.

Most importantly, you can obtain an EHL Bachelor’s degree by completing only 3 additional semesters. Hence, you get a powerful combination of practical and academic credentials.

Unique Offerings

EHL's Berceau des Sens, the school's student-operated restaurant at the EHL Hospitality Business School Lausanne campus, has maintained a Michelin star since 2019 , which is a great achievement for any training restaurant.

This is further proof of the fact that EHL is one of the best culinary schools in Switzerland.

EHL Hospitality Business School has consistently been in the number one position of the QS Rankings for Hospitality and Leisure Management.

While the institute is primarily known for hotel management programs, the EHL's Culinary Arts specialization is offered at the Passugg campus.

3. IMI International Management Institute – Kastanienbaum

IMI International Management Institute Switzerland develops industry-ready culinary professionals via hands-on kitchen training and give them a start with strong industry connections.

The institute is not focused on competing with huge hospitality schools as its strength lies in small-scale, but high-impact learning.

With a limited class size of just 5–15 students, IMI ensures students have direct access to instructors and executive chefs. This is also a rarity in Swiss hospitality education, where many schools operate at scale.

Programs Offered

The programs related to culinary arts at IMI are:

• ✅ BA (Hons) in International Culinary Arts, which has a duration of 2.5 to 3 years (including two 22-week paid internships per year)

• ✅ Postgraduate Diploma in International Culinary Arts that lasts 1 year

• ✅ Short certificates and seasonal programs are also offered, but they don’t specifically cover culinary arts. Instead, they are more related to hotel and tourism management.

Unique Offerings

IMI also stands out for being one of Switzerland's affordable culinary schools without compromising quality. For example, the BA (Hons) in International Culinary Arts costs CHF 93,900 total for 3 years.

While this is not a very cheap option, compared to other Switzerland culinary schools, and the quality of education at IMI International Management, this is a great deal.

All of the programs offered by IMI are validated by IMI International Management Institute. Moreover, this Swiss culinary school stands out with its small class sizes (just 5-15 students) and a true family atmosphere on campus.

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

4. Business and Hotel Management School (BHMS)

Do you want to fast-track your career with one of the best culinary schools in Switzerland?

Consider enrolling at BHMS Business & Hotel Management School, as it offers one of Switzerland's fastest-track culinary degrees.

For example, the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts includes intensive culinary training, paid industry internships, and academic coursework in a streamline format that covers 3 years of the entire program.

Hence, it helps you enter the job marker sooner, making BHMS a top Swiss culinary school for students who are career-focused and budget-conscious.

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

Here's the breakdown of the programs and tuition fees at BHMS:

✅ Culinary Certificate Course

TheCulinary Certificate Courseis ideal for already-working chefs, cooks, and hospitality professionals who want to update their skills or learn a new cuisine without taking an extensive career break.

Such short programs also help you explore advanced techniques and update your cooking styles.

Duration: 10 weeks
Tuition Fee: CHF 21,500

✅ Swiss Diploma and Higher Diploma in Pastry, Chocolate, and Bakery Arts

The Swiss Diploma and Higher Diploma in Pastry, Chocolate, and Bakery Arts are best for students who want to specialize in pastry, chocolate, and baking at a professional level.

It combines Swiss techniques with international trends to help graduates gain credibility by working at the top patisseries and fine-dining restaurants.

Duration: 24 months
Tuition Fee: CHF 39,100 for Year 1 and CHF 40,100 for Year 2

✅ Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts at BHMS offers two pathways: culinary arts or pastry.

Students wanting a full-fledged culinary career with complete training from scratch should give serious consideration to the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts program.

It offers pathways in general culinary arts or pastry to ensure you have a solid foundation, along with specialized skills.

Graduates leave prepared to take on executive chef positions and have successful local as well as international careers, such as Chef Manal Al Faez, who worked at The Ritz Carlton in the USA and became the General Manager at the Gulf Institute of Culinary Arts in Manama, Bahrain.

Duration: 3 years
Tuition Fee: CHF 39,100 for Year 1, CHF 40,100 for Year 2, and CHF 41,100 for Year 3

✅ Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts

Culinary professionals who already have a degree or kitchen experience, but who want to advance to leadership roles should get enrolled in this Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts program. It prepares students for positions like executive chef or culinary director.

Duration: 12 months
Tuition Fee: CHF 40,100

Unique Offerings

One of the most appealing aspects of BHMS is that the BA in Culinary Arts requires only 18 months of classroom study compared to 24 months at most of the other Swiss schools.

The program includes three guaranteed internships, which help BHMS graduates enter the workforce quickly, even when they are still enrolled at the school.

Practical Tips Before You Apply to Culinary Schools in Switzerland

Here are some tips that can help while applying to Swiss culinary schools:

• 🚀 Always check the language of the program you are choosing carefully, especially as an international student. Most of the culinary schools in Switzerland for international students have English as the primary language of instruction, but you should double-check that.

• 🚀 Get information about the duration and paid/unpaid status of internships offered in different Swiss culinary programs.

• 🚀 Know whether the qualification is Swiss-accredited, UK-validated, or any other reputable accreditation. This impacts your international culinary career.

• 🚀 Tuition costs are only one part of the expenses you have to plan as an international student. Make sure you are creating a realistic budget by considering all expenses, including accommodation, insurance, travel, etc.

• 🚀 Carefully analyze and consider the career path you want. Swiss hospitality schools offer excellent managerial programs for those interested in leadership roles, along with polishing their kitchen skills.

A couple enjoying a meal in Zurich Switzerland, home to some of the top culinary schools in the country.

Job Opportunities After Graduating From A Culinary School in Switzerland

Graduates from top culinary schools in Switzerland can enter the workforce quickly, thanks to guaranteed internships. Moreover, they will have a strong competitive edge due to the excellent reputation of Swiss culinary schools.

International students can also benefit from Switzerland’s strong global network and industry-focused training, such as the guaranteed paid internships covered by IMI and BHMS.

Most importantly, Switzerland's culinary schools are focused on both precision and innovation. It reflects the country’s reputation for excellence in chocolate, pastry, hospitality, and culinary arts.

Graduates leave with credentials respected worldwide, strong professional networks, and practical skills that help them have a successful career.

And if you are still wondering, what’s the proof that Switzerland is the place to learn and launch a successful culinary career, just have a look at some of such success stories:

• 🚀 Anton Mosimann trained at a local hotel and got the renowned Chef de Cuisine diploma at the age of 25 in Switzerland. He went on to have a highly successful career that included working at Michelin-starred restaurants and cooking for British royalty.

• 🚀 Daniel Humm got his professional training from the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich and worked at the 3-Michelin-star Restaurant Pont de Brent near Montreux

• 🚀 Danna Vu graduated from the Culinary Arts Academy in Switzerland and won the Culinary World Cup in 2020. She's also known for baking cookies for President Obama, demonstrating an illustrious career after training at a Swiss culinary school.

The famed Federal Palace of Switzerland (Bundeshaus)

Final Thoughts - Is Switzerland Right for Your Culinary Education?

Switzerland stands out as one of the best countries to master gastronomy, especially when your goals are to learn hospitality leadership and clinch practical internships.

If you are looking for a chef-first education, then institutions like Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland can be the perfect training center for you. On the other hand, if you are someone who prefers a degree with a combination of culinary arts and business management, you should opt for IMI, EHL, or BHMS.

Since each culinary school suits different ambitions, the best way to pick the right school is to match the program structure with your requirements and career aims.

If you wish to compare culinary schools in other countries, check out our articles on culinary schools in France, Italy, Spain, 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 Switzerland.

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!

Best culinary schools in Switzerland... now you know!