Best Culinary Schools in the United Kingdom: Study at the Top British Institutions

The United Kingdom is an interesting place of crossroads of international cultures and global cuisines. Places like Liverpool and London are widely recognized for their diverse food culture and are often called the world's food capitals.

So, it is only natural if you are curious to know if the UK can also be a good place to attend a culinary school.

And if you are still wondering why you should think about attending a culinary school in the UK, there are multiple reasons! In addition to the global recognition of UK culinary programs, you also get to enjoy the diverse food scene throughout the UK, helping you develop your own taste palate.

Moreover, training in a multicultural environment will equip you with the skills and knowledge to handle global cuisine. For some students, the decision to study in the UK can also be purely out of geographical reasons because there are certain schools, such as Le Cordon Bleu, that have campuses in several other countries.

Similarly, the fact that all programs are taught in English can be a huge advantage for international students who might already be familiar with English and do not have to learn a whole new language.

Before you say that your mind is made up and you've already decided on studying in a country such as France, Italy, Switzerland the United States, Mexico or Spain, all we say is don't be so quick to not consider what the United Kingdom has to offer!

In this guide, we'll explore some of the best culinary schools in the United Kingdom that can be a great option for local as well as international students. We'll not only be listing some of the top culinary schools, but also dive deep into their program details and tuition fees to help you find the right institute that fulfills your requirements.

From short courses to full degree programs, the United Kingdom offers a diverse range of culinary education options.

Criteria for the Best Culinary Schools in the United Kingdom

We've narrowed down the top 5 culinary schools in the UK on the basis of the following criteria:

• 1. Industry Recognition: We've prioritized the institutions based on international rankings, wins in competitions, and overall brand value.

• 2. Number and Types of Programs: Culinary training is a vast field with students wanting to hone their skills in different specialties. The best culinary schools in the UK are the ones that offer short courses as well as full degrees.

• 3. Internship and Placements: Practical implementation of the knowledge you gain at a culinary school is essential to have a successful career, and most of the top schools offer guaranteed placements, especially in full-fledged programs.

• 4. Facilities and Connections: We've also researched the school's facilities and notable alumni to determine its position in the culinary world.

• 5. Languages: All of the schools listed below have English as their primary language of instruction, so they are suitable for national and international students.

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

1. Le Cordon Bleu London - Bloomsbury

Le Cordon Bleu's reputation for providing culinary education for more than 125 years gives it an important edge over other schools and makes both campuses in Paris and London some of the best culinary schools in Europe.

The London campus is envisioned to bring the legacy into one of the world's most dynamic food cities. The school allows students to explore everything from traditional British fare to cutting-edge molecular gastronomy through a variety of training programs as well as complete educational degrees.

The Grand Diplôme® especially is especially the highlight of Le Cordon Bleu. It is a comprehensive program that combines both Cuisine and Pastry diplomas and is well recognized in the culinary industry. The foundation of Le Cordon Bleu's teaching methodology is close to its origin. It focuses on the classical French technique as the foundation upon which all culinary creativity is built.

Programs Offered:

The versatility of the kind of programs and courses offered at Le Cordon Bleu makes it one of the best culinary schools in London. You don’t necessarily have to enroll in a long-term program, as the school also has short courses.

While you can check out the complete list of training offered at Le Cordon Bleu London’s website, you will find the programs to be spread over these main categories:

• ✅ Short Courses: 2 hours to 3 weeks

• ✅ Certificates (Basic, Intermediate, Superior): 3 months each

• ✅ Diplomas (Cuisine, Pastry, Boulangerie): 9 months each

• ✅ Grand Diplôme®: 9 months (Intensive) or 18 months (Standard)

• ✅ Bachelor's Degrees: 3 years (in partnership with Birkbeck, University of London)

• ✅ Master's Degrees: 1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)

Unique Offerings

Le Cordon Bleu London can be an ideal choice for students wanting maximum flexibility. The extensive program structure accommodates candidates with various schedules and on career stages.

For example, already working professionals can take evening and weekend short courses to refine their skills, while gap year students can complete intensive certificates.

Similarly, career changers can pursue the full Grand Diplôme® to learn everything from scratch. The school also has cutting-edge specializations, such as plant-based culinary arts and diplomas in Pâtisserie Innovation & Wellness, which are typically not available in other culinary schools. This versatility and program flexibility by Le Cordon Bleu make culinary education accessible to all.

2. University College Birmingham - Birmingham College of Food

University College Birmingham's Birmingham College of Food is a reputable name among the culinary schools in the United Kingdom because of consistent success and graduate achievement. Some of the achievements that quickly make this school stand apart are:

• ✅ UCB students have won the Nestlé Professional Toque d'Or, one of the most prestigious hospitality competitions, five times.

• ✅ Students have also won the Zest Quest Asia championships twice. It is a reputable competition in the UK focused on Asian cuisine.

These achievements not only show the repute of UCB, but also the high and diverse level of cooking skills being taught at the school.

Programs Offered

UCB offers different programs to cater to students at varying levels:

• ✅ FdA (Foundation Degree): 2 years (includes 1-year paid placement)

• ✅ BA (Hons) Culinary Arts Management: 3 years (includes 1-year paid placement)

• ✅ BA (Hons) Top-Up: 1 year (for those with foundation degrees)

• ✅ MA/PGDip Culinary Arts Management: 1-1.5 years

Unique Offerings

Other than these excellent achievements, the standout feature of UCB is that a one-year paid placement is integrated into the BA programs. Most students are not happy with surface-level theoretical knowledge, especially in the world of gastronomy.

The placements are available in the UK as well as overseas. Some of the most popular partnerships are The Savoy (London) The Savoy (London), Gleneagles (Scotland), and Ashford Castle (County Mayo, Ireland). Overall, this is a great opportunity for students who want to gain invaluable practical experience during the course of their degree.

3. Ashburton Cookery School

Not everyone wants to complete a 4-year program to become a professional chef or polish their cooking skills. For such students, Ashburton Cookery School is one of the best culinary schools in the UK. It offers 50+ different cooking classes that cover many different cuisine types, chef skill levels, price range, and duration.

Just like Ashburton Cookery School, Le Cordon Bleu also offers a variety of courses, but generally, such intensive and accelerated programs are missing in the other UK culinary schools that often focus on lengthy diplomas and degrees.

Programs Offered

Other than the numerous short classes, Ashburton offers the following professional courses:

• ✅ Certificate in Culinary Arts: A 4-week certification perfect for people who want to learn the basics of professional cooking.

• ✅ Diploma in Culinary Arts: A 10-week program perfect for inspiring chefs to refine and develop their cooking skills to the professional level.

• ✅ Certificate in Patisserie: A 4-week foundational course for pastry chefs.

• ✅ Diploma in Patisserie: A 10-week program to train to be a pastry chef

Unique Offerings

Ashburton Cookery School makes the best use of its location in Devon one of England's top agricultural regions, by incorporating fresh ingredients from nearby coasts, local farms, and countryside into teaching. This helps the students learn the practical use of premium ingredients in cooking.

Moreover, Ashburton has small class sizes to cater to students who prefer an intimate learning environment. The school also has a team of chefs who have extensive industry experience working in different restaurants, including those with Michelin stars.

Overall, Ashburton can be your top choice among the culinary schools in the UK if you prefer intensive practical training and want to enter the job industry quickly without completing a full-fledged degree.

4. University of West London - London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism

The London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism has 70+ years of experience in the hospitality education sector. While many UK culinary schools, like the ones discussed above, are primarily focused on technical cooking skills, the Geller College focuses on preparing students for management and entrepreneurial roles.

Such an approach is the need of the hour today, as a highly successful culinary career also requires business acumen. Programs at this school help students get familiar with concepts like kitchen team management, menu development, restaurant profit margins, and much more, to eventually launch their own food ventures.

Unique Offerings

UWL’s curriculum pays special attention to the business side of cooking. The program has modules like “Innovation and Creativity Management in Hospitality and Tourism” and “Food Product Development” to prepare students for the real world.

In terms of cooking itself, Pillars is the award-winning training restaurant of UWL, which allows students to implement the learned skills practically by managing everything from menu design to cooking and serving.

Overall, UWL is a great culinary school in the UK for graduates interested in different food industry roles. Other than the traditional chef positions, graduates can have a successful career as food product developers, restaurant managers, food entrepreneurs, food writers, and hospitality consultants.

5. WhitePepper Culinary Academy - Poole, England

WhitePepper Culinary Academy has made its own space among the best culinary schools in England. The school operates with a focus on three main principles: modern curriculum, concise training, and an affordable fee structure.

Compared to the other top culinary schools in the UK, WhitePepper is quite new as it was established in 2010. Yet, it has won the “Best in Britain” honor four times. The consistent quality and variety of courses make it an excellent cooking school to consider.

Programs Offered

WhitePepper Academy has a long list of courses. The most prominent qualification courses are:

• ✅ Level 2 Award in Cookery Skills: A 3-week program to cover the foundational concepts of cooking. It is ideal for aspiring and junior chefs.

• ✅ Level 3 Certificate in Professional Cookery:: A 2-month program for intermediate professional chefs.

• ✅ Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts: A comprehensive 4-month program suitable for individuals serious about starting a career as a professional chef.

Unique Offerings

Similar to Ashburton Cookery School, WhitePepper is an ideal school for students who want professional credentials without completing extensive academic programs. Traditional culinary programs, such as the ones taught at UWL, have content spread across multiple years.

However, WhitePepper is more focused on teaching the essential skills and knowledge in a shorter period of time, to help you have a quicker career entry. Moreover, the academy’s focus on integrated commercial experiences with technical training helps students prepare for actual kitchen pressures.

While the institute has not disclosed its class size, the website states that the school has a personable approach to help students unlock their individual potential quickly. Such a type of individualized instruction is great in the culinary industry for accelerated learning.

Potential Career Opportunities

Graduating from any of the above culinary schools in the UK is likely to open a lot of doors for you internationally as well as in the UK. The UK, especially, can be a great place to work for new as well as experienced chefs, as it has been facing a severe shortage of chefs for several years now.

So, whether you become a culinary expert after completing a full program or specialize in a particular niche, you are likely to find great opportunities in this sector.

If you already an English speaker, studying culinary arts in the United Kingdom can be a great choice.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Culinary School in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's culinary schools are a great option for individuals exploring different specializations, fee structures, and learning environments. To sum it all up:

• 🚀 Choose Le Cordon Bleu London if you are looking for globally recognized credentials and to learn the classical French technique.

• 🚀 Choose University College Birmingham if you want a complete university degree with a guaranteed paid work placement.

• 🚀 Choose the University of West London if you want to move beyond the kitchen and have dream jobs in restaurant management or culinary entrepreneurship.

• 🚀 Choose Ashburton Chefs Academy if you prefer focused training in a supportive countryside environment.

• 🚀 Choose WhitePepper Culinary Academy if you want modern and short training focused on practical instruction.

If you wish to compare culinary schools in other countries, check out our articles on culinary schools in France, Switzerland, 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 the United Kingdom.

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 the United Kingdom... now you know!