Excellent International Culinary Programs in Britain
The UK has birthed generations of excellent chefs and cooks, the most recent among them Jamie Oliver, formerly known as The Naked Chef and now author of the “Ministry of Food,” and personality hot-head Gordon Ramsay of Hell’s Kitchen fame. However, just because these two have had the good fortune to land squarely in food TV should not diminish the accomplishments of many more accomplished UK chefs.
Land of High Tea, crumpets, bangers and mash, and Yorkshire pudding, Britain is home to a handful of very excellent culinary arts schools, a number of which laid the career foundations for many a celebrated chef.
Britain’s Hot Hospitality Industry
While food is a necessity it alone does not drive the demand for exacting and well-educated chefs. The tourism industry continues to soar in Britain making for a thriving hospitality AND culinary future, good news for student chefs. Opportunities are plentiful in a wide array of areas: restaurants, hotels, as private chefs, caterers, and even instructors.
Cooking schools, often called “cookery schools,” in Britain are often much smaller in general, more focused on private cookery lessons than on big and showy degree programs like those in the U.S. You’ll also find large-scale hospitality and catering schools abound, similar to Westminster Kingsway College.
Student Chefs: Eat Your Way Through London Cuisine
Explore the British cookery schools below, but don’t miss out on the real education that could be yours when you study in London. Soak in the sights and sounds of this historic city. Sample the traditional cuisine, the inventive new dishes from the most celebrated London chefs.
While you’re there, check out Oliver’s restaurant/chef apprentice project, Fifteen, which seems to always have an event on its books. This culinary destination continues to garner acclaim.
Top UK Cooking Schools
Le Cordon Bleu London is home to one of the most prestigious international cooking programs. This classic French culinary curriculum originated in Paris, France, but ahs since been added to the cooking school line-ups in over half a dozen International culinary Meccas, as well as a few dozen North American schools. London campus continues to lead in prestige and popularity. Study programs include: Le Cordon Bleu Cuisine Diploma, Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie Diploma, and Le Cordon Bleu Grand Diplome (a hard-core combination of the two Diploma programs).
Tante Marie – Woking (outside London, convenient to Heathrow airport) – Spokes-chef Gordon Ramsay puts his stamp of approval on this world-class culinary curriculum, a Le Cordon Bleu model. Programs: Cordon Bleu Diploma, Cordon Bleu Certificate, or short skills classes.
Westminster Kingsway College – London – alma mater of Chef Jamie Oliver, offers a career-centric Hospitality program that is expansive in degree scope. Study: BA Hons (honors-level Bachelors), Culinary Arts and Business Management, BA Hons Hospitality and Business Management, Hospitality Diploma, Hospitality Management, International Chef Certificates 1 and 2, and Professional Chef, Patisserie and Restaurant programs.
Padstow’s Seafood School – Padstow – specializes in nothing but seafood, shellfish and the related culinary art of it.
The Bertinet Kitchen – Bath – is where aspirign chefs go when you want to learn how to bake bread ASAP. This specialized small school offers classes by the day or week.
Leicester College – Leicester – Hospitality and Catering
Southgate College – London - Hospitality and Catering
Stratford College – London – Hotel Management and Catering