Best Culinary Schools in Singapore
Singapore has transformed itself into a culinary powerhouse and is now one of the most exciting food cities in the world. Testament to this achievement is its growing number of Michelin-starred restaurants, which has almost doubled over the past 5 years.
But something Singapore it better known for is its fantastic educational achievements. The city-state has developed into a top global educational and knowledge hub. Students from South East Asia and all over the world flock to its top educational institutions, among them many top culinary schools.
If you’re looking to work in gastronomy and want a degree to jump-start your career, Singapore has lots of fantastic opportunities. Let’s review the best culinary schools Singapore has to offer.
1. Temasek Culinary Academy
Temasek Culinary Academy is one of the top culinary schools in the world and offers two degrees potential culinary students can sign up for. One is a Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science. This diploma lasts for three years and will teach students how to use all of their senses when cooking as well as important food safety skills, the latest food technology, and fundamental baking techniques.
The other program is a Diploma in Culinary and Catering Management. This diploma is designed for those who want to learn how to open their own food-related business. Some classes students will need to take for this diploma include Introduction to Gastronomy, Serving Guests, and Revenue Management.
While studying, students will also visit local farms and connect with the academy’s alumni. Once a student has graduated from Temasek Culinary Academy they can apply for one of the academy’s many continuing education programs. Tuition varies depending on the program you sign up for.
Website: Temasek Culinary Academy
2. Republic Polytehnic
Republic Polytechnic offers culinary students the opportunity to earn a Diploma in Restaurant and Culinary Operations. Those studying here will learn from some of Singapore’s best chefs and work in a few of the country’s top restaurants. The diploma will teach students not only important kitchen skills, but how to work in a restaurant and run a catering business. Students will also be taught business skills and marketing.
Republic Polytechnic has three training restaurants that students will work in where they will need to pass different modules for their degree. Some topics in the modules that will be studied include critical thinking, hospitality revenue management, and restaurant and culinary practicum.
Most culinary students will also be able to work on a 24-week apprenticeship program toward the end of their degree. Those interested in applying for a degree must pass a few entry requirements, such as having English proficiency and a certain GPA. Tuition is about $2,800.
Website: Republic Polytehnic
3. SHRM
Situated in the downtown area of Singapore near Marina Bay lies SHRM. This school offers a Diploma in Culinary Studies that lasts six months. This part-time program requires students to successfully study 10 modules to graduate. These include Basic Cookery, Basic Cooking Techniques, Theory of Food, Breads, and Food and Beverage Control.
All classes are overseen by professional chefs, most of whom work in local restaurants. Some classes will be held at the college while others will be held virtually. A few topics culinary students will master here include time management, nutrition, communication in the kitchen, and food safety. Students will also discover how to plate food in an aesthetically pleasing way.
SHRM also offers a Diploma in Food and Beverage Management and is designed to teach students how to run a culinary business. To be admitted to SHRM, students must apply for a spot online and have a decent level of English proficiency. The tuition for this diploma is $10,000.
Website: SHRM
4. SSA Culinary Institute
This culinary institute caters to students of all skill levels as it’s designed to inspire new chefs and challenge seasoned ones. The SSA Culinary Institute has many Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) courses that will teach student chefs important techniques while being watched over by experts.
Some classes held at this institute include Authentic Peranakan Dishes, Cakes, Boba Bonanza, Exquisite French Tarts, and Fiery Korean Gourmet. All of these classes will guide students as to how to make dough, frost cakes, and mold bread into various forms.
To help students start their careers, this culinary institute alerts them to job vacancies in the country. In addition to this, the SSA Culinary Institute has a Masterclass led by famed chef Siti Mastura as well as a premium course for those interested in more demanding tasks. Classes can hold up to 54 students and require anywhere from 5-20 hours of studying time. The cost of the courses is about $50-$200 depending on the one you choose.
Website: SSA Culinary Institute
5. Asian Culinary Institute
The Asian Culinary Institute is attached to Nanyang Polytechnic and is run by renowned chefs who make up its ACI Chef Advisory Panel. This panel works together to ensure the programs offered teach culinary students the essentials while making sure the classes are fun and exciting to attend.
The Asian Culinary Institute offers everything from certificates to specialist diplomas that include Pastry and Baking, Culinary Arts, and a WSQ Specialist Diploma in Food Services. There are also a few short courses available for those who might only be interested in learning the basics of the culinary arts or learn unique skills, such as how to prepare dim sum dishes.
All courses are designed to cater to both amateurs and professionals. The school will ensure that students aren’t only prepared for a future culinary career but help them find a job. Tuition for the programs varies but is about $4,500 per program.
Website: Asian Culinary Institute
6. International Hotel & Management School
Established in the 1980s, the International Hotel & Management School is thought to be one of the best culinary schools in the world and has been given many prestigious awards. The culinary school has trained over 30,000 people and offers both part-time and full-time programs that include a WSQ Diploma in Food Services, Diploma in Pastry and Baking, and WSQ Higher Certificate in Food Sciences.
Students could also earn a certificate in pastry arts where they’ll learn vital kitchen skills, quality control procedures, and dry heat cooking methods. The space students will work in is extremely large and has numerous areas culinary pupils can further their studies in, such as a pastry production area, Asian kitchen, Western kitchen, beverage lab, and training restaurant.
There are two starting dates during the year for the programs and tuition costs $5,880 per diploma. Some diplomas do have entry requirements, such as having previous experience in the industry and proficiency in English.
Website: International Hotel & Management School
7. Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America, one of the best culinary schools in the United States, opened its branch in Singapore in 2007 and offers students numerous Associate, Bachelor, and Master programs they can study. This includes Culinary Arts, Applied Food Studies, Culinary Science, and Master’s in Wine Management.
Because this school is connected to the Singapore Institute of Technology, students also have the option to study for a BBA in Food Business Management where they’ll learn how to efficiently run a food-based company. All students will be taught by expert chefs who will carefully watch them as they learn the necessary skills they need for a future culinary career. Some topics students will learn here include menu development, food safety, knife skills, and food sustainability.
Culinary students will also be granted internships at nearby bakeries and restaurants as a way to grow their skills in a professional environment. Those interested in attending a program here can apply online. Tuition is around $30,200 per diploma.
Website: Culinary Institute of America
8. Global Chef Academy
Situated in Singapore, Global Chef Academy was founded by Tan Kwan Siu and is an Edu-Trust certified culinary school. Global Chef Academy offers a variety of professional diplomas students can sign up for, such as Diploma in Culinary Arts, Diploma in Pastry and Baking, and Specialist Diploma in Food Entrepreneurship.
For those who would like to continue their education, but without studying for a new diploma, there are a few small courses available, such as Prepare Sushi and Baking 101 – Basic Bread. In addition to this, Global Chef Academy offers classes for youth chefs, teams, and travel chefs.
There is also a SkillsFuture option that will help amateur chefs develop the necessary skills they need to succeed. All classes are led by professional chefs and give culinary students important hands-on experience in the kitchen. Sometimes internships will also be given to students at local restaurants. Programs begin in the summer and fall and tuition costs about $20,381 per degree.
Website: Global Chef Academy
I want to study diploma in Culinary arts. Which institution is good and cheaper?