Best 8 Culinary Schools in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most vibrant cities in the Middle East and a fantastic place to start a culinary career. The city has developed a global reputation as a top educational hub, with many international educational institutions opening campuses in the city.
Dubai is also uniquely positioned to offer students some incredible internship opportunities as the city boasts no less than 20,000 restaurants. If you want to learn the best the city has to offer in terms of culinary arts, check out our round-up of the best culinary schools in Dubai.
1. Dubai College of Tourism
The Dubai College of Tourism is an internationally recognized culinary school that has been accredited by the Department of Knowledge and Human Development. Its culinary school is best known for its hands-on approach allowing students to learn by experimenting in the kitchen.
The Dubai College of Tourism offers a one-year certificate in the culinary arts that focuses on the basics in this industry. Once you have earned this certificate you can apply to study for its diploma program for another year. The diploma program will give students real-world experience by letting them work in local restaurants and bakeries.
Some core units taught at the school include Culinary Fundamentals, Meat Preparation, Seafood Preparation, Social and Cultural Awareness, and Food Safety and Sanitation. Culinary students will also be expected to create their own recipes and make dishes for other students who will then critique them. Tuition for the certificate and diploma is $10,000.
Website: Dubai College of Tourism
2. COTHM
COTHM was founded in 2002 and designed to educate students about the sophistication of the culinary arts. This culinary school offers numerous programs students can sign up for, like Breakfast Attendant, Kitchen Cook, and Certified Food and Beverage Executive.
The programs tend to last about three months and will teach students essential kitchen skills as well as how to properly work in the kitchen. Students will also learn how to work in a multicultural environment and how to communicate with others when cooking.
Thanks to COTHM being associated with many famous restaurants and hospitality businesses around the globe, culinary students will be able to find unique opportunities to grow their expertise. Many classes are held through distance learning but are overseen by professional chefs who will guide students in their studies.
Courses are priced at $102. If you’re interested in applying to the school, you can do so on COTHM’s website and also sign up for a career consultancy appointment if you’d like to have guidance on your future culinary career.
Website: COTHM
3. SCAFA
SCAFA is one of the only culinary schools in Dubai to offer a BA in Culinary Arts. In addition to this, SCAFA offers diplomas for Professional Pastry and Pro Chef Programme. Expert chefs will watch over culinary students as they learn how to create various types of dishes. Culinary students will also have access to high-tech facilities and learn how to use equipment like Rational Ovens and Dehydrators by Excalibur.
Besides learning the fundamentals of the culinary arts, students at SCAFA will also undergo strict training in etiquette arts. Toward the end of the program, students will be required to work in Scafé, the school’s training restaurant.
There are also courses for kids and home chefs that teach the basics of the culinary arts. Some classes held for this purpose include World Cuisine and Mini Master Chef. Courses last anywhere from 3-12 months and cost around $1,000-$22,000.
Website: SCAFA
4. Vandana Jain
Vandana Jain is a culinary school run by Vandana Jain, one of the top chefs in Dubai who is known for her vegetarian meals. The school focuses on a variety of different international cuisines that include Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, and Chinese. Vandana Jain offers classes for both adults and children. Some courses held here include Baking and Cake Decoration, Vegan and Gluten-Free Rotis, and Vegan Main Course.
The classes will teach students not only the essentials of the culinary arts but let them experiment with ingredients and flavors. Some dishes you might make when here are lokki green moong dal cheela, quinoa roti, and orange chocolate chip bundt cake.
A few of the courses offered at Vandana Jain also allow you to earn certificates. The classes are held throughout the day and last about two hours. Prices vary depending on the course taken and can be found on this cooking school’s website.
Website: Vandana Jain
5. Top Chef Dubai
Located in Jumeirah, Top Chef Dubai was founded by Nadira Benaissa who wanted to teach others about the uniqueness of the culinary arts. Top Chef Dubai offers courses for adults and kids as well as private ones and those geared toward groups.
The classes are led by chefs Thibaut Bertin and Anthony Pichon who have extensive experience in the field. The school’s modern kitchen can hold up to 35 people and is equipped with only the best kitchen utensils and equipment. Some classes held here include Vegetarian, BBQ, Cupcake Decoration, and Flavors of the World.
Each month the menu for these classes will change so there’s always something new to learn. Some previous dishes students have made include butternut squash soup, quinoa poke salad, and smoked potato gnocchi. Classes range in their difficulty so that both beginners and seasoned cooks can enjoy them. These classes last around two hours and cost about $130 each.
Website: Top Chef Dubai
6. EHH (Dubai Campus)
EHH is an extension of Switzerland’s Ecole Hôtelière Helvétique. Culinary students can choose from one of the numerous culinary arts programs offered at the school, such as Advanced Specialization in Kitchen Management, Professional Diploma in Culinary Arts, and Professional Certificate in Art of Swiss Chocolate and Sugar Craft.
Students will spend anywhere from 5-15 months studying and will learn vital skills such as how to use knives, how to work in a restaurant and prepare food for catering, how to create menus and recipes, proper food handling techniques, the proper way to control food production, and cake decorating. Professional instructors will guide each class and provide detailed demonstrations so students know the correct techniques to use.
EHH offers a few paid internships that allow students to work in local restaurants to gain real-world experience. The cost for a program depends on the one signed up for but is about $6,000-$15,000.
Website: EHH (Dubai Campus)
7. International Centre for Culinary Arts
Established in 2005, the International Centre for Culinary Arts has taught over 6,000 students from around the world. This cooking school offers many different programs for all skill levels such as Professional Diploma in Cooking, Professional Diploma in Patisserie, and Certificate in Culinary Techniques.
The International Centre for Culinary Arts also has Artisanal Courses where you’ll learn how to make delicious meals and desserts like gelato, bread, chocolate, and pizza. There is also a bartending course that will teach you how to concoct delicious drinks. The programs are taught by expert chefs who will watch over students and teach them important skills and techniques, such as cutting, food safety, preparing stocks, and how to make choux pastry.
Classes are held in the school’s high-tech kitchen which is filled with some of the top equipment in the world. Some previous qualifications are necessary if you are interested in applying for a degree and prices for the programs range anywhere from $500-$45,000.
Website: International Centre for Culinary Arts
