10 Best Culinary Schools in the United Kingdom

Ingredients for Baking a Pie by Andy Chilton – Unsplash

10 Best Culinary Schools in the United Kingdom

*Originally published by Ruth on April 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R on May 2023

The UK has produced generations of excellent chefs and cooks, so the presence of a strong culinary arts education system is a testament to Britain’s enduring gastronomic traditions.  TV food culture has elevated some accomplished English chefs to celebrity status recently.  Among them are Jamie Oliver; formerly known as The Naked Chef, and recent author of the Ministry of Food, and quick-tempered Gordon Ramsay of Hell’s Kitchen fame. 

The demand for exacting and well-educated chefs continues to grow, as the hospitality industry soars in Britain. Thriving tourism, and heightened food awareness among locals, are turning English attention toward epicurean excellence, creating employment opportunities for student chefs. Modern culinary arts school graduates work in restaurants, hotels, and casino kitchens.  Positions such as caterers, private chefs, owner/operators, and even instructors are also growing in numbers. 

Large-scale cooking academies are present in the UK, but there are also a series of “cookery schools” operating in Britain that offer many smaller, focused courses.  Culinary learning takes many forms. Private cookery lessons are often taught by accomplished chefs, who bring diverse experiences to their academies. Here are the 10 best culinary schools in the United Kingdom.

1. Le Cordon Bleu London

Le Cordon Bleu London is known for delivering comprehensive and renowned education which is rich in Classical culinary techniques and cuisine. This culinary school is one of the culinary schools in London that is recognized internationally for its over 100 years of excellence. Students in this culinary school go through intensively focused programs that cover all the culinary bases. 

The highly coveted Le Grand Diplome Cordon Bleu is earned by students who complete each of the school’s study tracks, Cuisine and Patisserie, entirely. Each discipline you choose is broken into 11-week courses that are at the basic, intermediate, and superior studies in any of the disciplines. Completing all three levels of study, in both areas, comprises the master’s degree known as Le Grand Diplome.

2. Leith’s School of Food and Wine

A chef in the kitchen by Priscilla Du Preez – Unsplash

Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London was founded in the year 1975. They offer professional courses ranging from 1 to 3 terms, or courses for enthusiastic home cooks or amateurs. The school specializes in degree programs for professionals and classes for serious cooking enthusiasts. 

A Professional Diploma earned from Leith’s is a respected credential within the culinary industry and equally one that advances career chef agendas. Their programs utilize dynamic instructional methods, which include master chef demos, field trips to food markets and fine restaurants, and hands-on internships that reinforce campus learning and train students to become professionals.

3. Cookery School

Cookery School is located at Little Portland Street. This is one of the culinary schools in London that is for everyone. The school qualifies as an alternative learning method for domestic cooks and experienced pros.  

Cookery School is one of the niche culinary schools in London that conveys recipes and techniques in an accessible way for pupils from various cooking backgrounds. Sustainability and responsible practices are emphasized as a curriculum component that embraces organic and other environmentally sound food production methods.

4. Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons

Getting pizza ready in a retro oven by Stefan C. Asafti – Unsplash

Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons is one of the culinary schools in London that is set in a typical idyllic English countryside setting. The School is surrounded by manicured lawns, orchards, and flower beds. They offer different kinds of classes, ranging from half-day classes to evening classes as well as 5-day courses. 

This culinary school caters to beginners and has experienced instructors. This is equally one of the culinary schools in the world that offers the students the chance to learn in the kitchens of a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars. 

The one thing that is guaranteed at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons cooking school is that you will have loads of fun during your course, walking away with the enthusiasm to replicate the dishes to impress your family and friends.

5. Chef Academy London

Chef Academy is one of the catering schools in London that gives students the opportunity to learn from industry experts while teaching them the main cooking techniques and the meaning of what it is like to be a chef. 

It is one of the prestigious schools that originated in Italy. Graduating at Chef Academy will give you access to the professional world of cooking. This school is also internationally recognized by ASIC (Accreditation Service for International Colleges.

6. Waitrose Cookery School

Fresh Ingredients by Syd Wachs – Unsplash

Waitrose Cookery School is one of the culinary schools in London that offers a selection of full-day, half-day, and evening courses. During the all-day courses, students spend the morning preparing the recipes and then eat for lunch what they made during the morning. 

The school has also recently opened its Salisbury school in Wiltshire. Here gift certificates are available to give to friends and family. They equally offer a full range of online food and drink experiences that are hosted by Waitrose cookery school experts. 

7. La Cucina Caldesi

La Cucina Caldesi is one of the best culinary schools in London. It is an Italian cookery school that is located in central London. They offer lessons in Italian cuisine. Cooking classes and wine tasting is taught by visiting celebrity chefs, food writers, and wine experts, as well as by experienced staff employed by La Cucina Caldesi.

They are one of the culinary schools in London that have been in business for over 20 years and are open 7 days a week and have since been running their 2 restaurants, the cookery schools, and have written over 15 cookbooks. The classes cater to children and adults at all skill levels. You can choose an evening, full-day or weekend class.

8. Cactus Kitchens 

Two people in a kitchen by Edgar Castrejon – Unsplash

Cactus Kitchens is one of the top culinary schools in London that offer a luxurious place in which students can spend quality time learning and cooking. It is located on the site of Cactus TV’s media complex in central London. A group of old buildings, including a chapel and vicarage dating back to 1834, have been renovated and adapted to house the Cactus Kitchen’s cooking school, which sits in the eaves of the chapel.

Cactus Kitchens is a unique venue space available for cookery classes, pop-ups, PR events, and corporate incentive days. You get to experience expertly taught full and half-day classes and entertaining cooking experiences with top chefs. 

9. Divertimenti Cookery School

Divertimenti Cookery School is one of the famous culinary schools in London where you learn culinary arts. They have the best selection of equipment, cookware, and electrical which are used in their classes to drive down knowledge into students. 

They have the best built-in appliances – including ovens, gas and induction hobs, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, and the much-coveted warming drawers. Their kitchen itself is extremely versatile and accommodates everything from group cookery classes to intimate chef’s tables.

10. Royal Academy of Culinary Arts

Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is Britain’s leading professional membership association of head chefs, head pastry chefs, restaurant managers, and suppliers. It is one of the culinary schools in London that was founded in the year 1980 and has over the years provided groundbreaking education and training programs that are aimed at securing the future of the hospitality industry. 

The Academy’s inspiring education and training initiatives are aimed at all ages and stages of development from school children to established hospitality professionals. They aim to provide passionate learners with industry-relevant education and an innovative mindset to build a rewarding career in the hospitality sector.

3 Most Popular Culinary Courses In UK

1. Professional Chef Diploma

Culinary institutions like Le Cordon Bleu, Westminster Kingsway College, and The School of Artisan Cuisine offer this diploma. It is a thorough course that covers every facet of cookery, including pastry preparation, classical cooking methods, and knife skills. This curriculum prepares its graduates effectively for professions in the food business.

2. Culinary Arts Degree

U.S. Department of AgricultureLance Cheung/Multimedia PhotoJournalist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Degrees in culinary arts are offered by several universities in the UK, and they are intended to give students a thorough grasp of the food industry. These programmes address a variety of subjects, such as food science, nutrition, and kitchen administration. These programmes prepare students for jobs as chefs, food writers, or food educators.

3. Short Courses

In the UK, a lot of culinary colleges and institutions give quick courses that are intended to teach students a particular set of skills. Wine tasting, chocolate-making, and bread-making are a few popular short courses. Food lovers who want to gain additional talent or hobbyists who want to hone their culinary abilities in a particular area will find these courses to be perfect as they are also quite popular.