Last Updated on October 11, 2023 by Unwana Akpan
This is an article about all the best culinary schools in Canada with specific details about culinary citadels of learning in Toronto, Ontario, and Alberta. Details are also given on the cheapest culinary schools in Canada for international students.
More About Canada
Canada is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, ranking second only to the United States, followed by Australia and other countries. Many perks, such as famous colleges of learning that provide quality degree programs, scholarships for overseas students, and the beauty of the surroundings, have made Canada attractive among international students.
As an international student, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in a new environment, participate in cultural activities, and more. Canada is not immune to this phenomenon, and you may be surprised to learn that it offers some of the greatest culinary schools in the world.
These culinary schools in Canada will educate you how to become a great chef by instilling in you the necessary skills, knowledge, and techniques to flourish in the sector and develop a successful career in the food industry.
In this article, you’ll learn about these culinary schools in Canada, as well as their admissions standards, so you can get started on your path to become a world-class chef. Take a look at the FAQs below before continuing.
FAQ About Culinary Schools in Canada
Is Canada good for culinary arts?
Canada is not one of the best places to study culinary arts; countries such as Peru, France, Italy, the United States, Australia, and Japan lead the way. Culinary arts degrees are available in Canada at universities and colleges.
How long is a culinary school in Canada?
In Canada, a diploma in culinary arts takes two years, whereas a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts takes three to four years, depending on the institution.
How much does culinary school cost in Canada?
The cost of culinary school in Canada varies depending on the program and the student’s location. It is, as is customary, less expensive for domestic students and more expensive for overseas students.
Culinary schools in Canada cost between $6,550 and $11,200 a year for domestic students, depending on the program. International students pay between $9,220 to $27,912 in tuition.
How much money do chefs make in Canada?
Chefs in Canada make an average of 72,000 CAD each year, but wages range from 35,500 CAD (lowest) to 113,000 CAD (highest) (highest).
After you’ve answered these questions, carefully review the requirements for culinary schools listed below; you’ll need them to prepare for your admission application, which will help you get in.
Culinary School Requirements
Culinary schools have different requirements; nonetheless, we can gather the fundamental and basic ones; yet, your favorite culinary school may ask for more. The following are some of the most common ones;
- A high school diploma, official high school transcripts, GED, HISET, high school equivalency paperwork, or an appropriate home school certificate are all required.
- A $25 non-refundable application fee could be more or less, and other institutions may not demand it at all.
- Letters of recommendation Essay (topic vary by institution)
- a valid photo ID
- For international students, a study permit or a student visa is required.
- TOEFL or IELTS for the English language, DELE for the Spanish language, DELF or DALF for the French language, and DSH, TestDAF, OSD, or TELF for the German language are examples of language competence examinations (may not be required by some schools)
With these qualifications in hand, you can investigate the culinary schools in Canada listed below and apply to the one that best meets your needs.
4 Best Culinary Schools in Toronto
The culinary schools in Toronto are listed below, with links to learn more about the program requirements and fees in each of the schools;
- George Brown College
- Liaison College
- Centennial College
- Stratford Chefs School
George Brown College
George Brown College is one of Canada’s culinary schools, offering certifications, diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate culinary studies. Students from all around the world can apply to any of these programs to improve their culinary talents and start a successful food business.
Students learn the skills and information necessary for a successful career in the modern culinary and food sector through a combination of theoretical and experience study at the institution.
Liaison College
Liaison College is a private culinary arts training college based in Toronto that was created in 1996 and is acknowledged as one of Canada’s top culinary schools. The institution has eight sites across Canada in order to deliver as many culinary classes as possible to as many individuals as feasible.
The following programs at Liaison welcome both international and domestic students;
- Specialist Chef
- Culinary Management
- Chef De Cuisine
- Personal Chef Diploma
- Hospitality Management
- Cook Advanced
- Cook Basic
Students can enroll in full-time or part-time study choices for any of the programs.
Centennial College
Centennial College’s School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts is one of Canada’s culinary schools, offering culinary training to both international and domestic students. After completing the program, participants will be awarded an Ontario College Diploma as validation of their culinary talents.
The college diploma program will teach you the skills and knowledge you’ll need to design magnificent menus and dishes inspired by worldwide cuisine trends and flavors, as well as equip you with the abilities you’ll need to launch a successful career.
Stratford Chefs School
Since 1983, Stratford Chefs School, one of Canada’s culinary schools, has been training people to become chefs in the province of Ontario. The college is dedicated to providing high-quality, hands-on instruction to budding chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
For experienced chefs who want to learn new talents and take them to the next level, the program provides a 32-week professional diploma.
5 Best Culinary Schools in Ontario
- The Culinary Art School of Ontario
- Nella Cucina Culinary School
- Cirillo’s Academy
- Dish Cooking Studio
- Maplehern Cooking School
The Culinary Art School of Ontario
Chef School, in Mississauga, Ontario, is one of Canada’s culinary schools. Students from all over the world are welcome to enroll in any of the four culinary diploma programs offered here. The following are the programs;
- Culinary Arts Diploma
- Sous Chef Diploma
- Professional Chef Diploma and
- Culinary Management Diploma
The Chef School’s programs are designed to educate students the practical and creative skills necessary to begin their career as a professional chef.
Nella Cucina Culinary School
Nella Cucina Culinary School, located in Toronto, is one of Canada’s culinary schools, offering cooking programs where you may learn about the current cuisine trends and methods. All students are welcome here, and there are no prerequisites for enrollment, such as prior culinary expertise or academic credentials.
The school’s class formats are divided into four categories, as follows;
- Hands-on Individual
- Hands-on Team
- Interactive Demo
- Specialty Tastings, Guest Speakers, and Demonstrations
Unlike the universities listed here, the Nella Cucina Culinary School does not provide any diploma or degree programs, but this has the advantage of making culinary instruction less expensive and requiring less criteria to enroll.
Cirillo’s Academy
If you want to improve your cooking skills and master new culinary techniques, Cirillo’s Academy is the place to go. It is one of Canada’s culinary schools, located in Toronto, and, like the previous institution, it does not provide diploma or degree programs.
Cirillo’s will teach you the most up-to-date culinary skills, teach you how to master your kitchen, and assist you in starting your own restaurant.
Dish Cooking Studio
How about a cooking studio where you can learn everything there is to know about food? That’s all there is to it.
Since 2000, The Dish Cooking Studio, one of Canada’s culinary schools, has been educating individuals how to cook and become professional chefs.
Another appealing feature of this school is that it uses virtual learning, which means you can enroll in online culinary classes from the comfort of your own home. This allows anyone, wherever in the globe, to quickly learn top-notch cooking techniques and become a professional chef.
This school does not offer any kind of diploma or degree to its students; instead, it teaches them the skills they need to become seasoned cooks who may start their own business or just prepare delicious meals for family gatherings.
Maplehern Cooking School
Maplehern is one of the culinary schools in Canada, based in the province of Toronto, and is an extension of Chez Laurent, a local restaurant. The cooking school emphasizes holistic nutrition and teaches students how to improve their health via the food they eat.
The classes are held on various days, last 3 hours, are hands-on, include a recipe booklet to take home, and include a full lunch. Saturday classes are typically run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and cost $75 per student.
It is important to note that the programs offered here do not confer any kind of certification, diploma, or degree; rather, you are just learning to improve your cooking skills, which you may employ at home or in the workplace.
3 Best Culinary Schools in Alberta
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
- Lethbridge College
- Portage College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
NAIT is one of Canada’s culinary schools, offering a Diploma in Culinary Arts to international and local students on-campus and online, allowing students to choose the option that best suits them. The curriculum takes two years to complete and offers students relevant, high-quality culinary instruction.
Lethbridge College
Lethbridge College is a culinary school in Alberta, Canada, that offers programs to both international and local students, making it one of the best culinary schools in the country. Lethbridge’s culinary programs last two years and are offered in blended (on-campus and online), asynchronous, and synchronous formats.
Portage College
The Culinary Arts Diploma program at Portage College is designed to give students with all of the specific information and professional abilities needed for the ever-changing and equally interesting food service sector. It normally takes two years to complete.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many culinary schools in Alberta, but the ones listed here are simple to apply to, have reasonable admissions standards, and affordable tuition.
7 Culinary Schools in Canada for International Students
- Holland College
- The Culinary Arts School of Ontario
- George Brown College
- Vancouver Community College
- Liaison College
- Northwest Culinary Academy
- Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute
Holland College
Holland College is located on the Canadian island of Prince Edward. International students are accepted into the college’s culinary program, which takes two years to complete and awards a Diploma in Culinary Arts. International students who want to pursue a culinary arts degree at Holland College must meet the academic criteria, which include passing an English language test and having a valid study permit.
The program provides students with a thorough understanding of culinary abilities as well as business training, preparing them for a career in the restaurant industry.
The Culinary Arts School of Ontario
The Culinary Arts School of Ontario is one of Canada’s culinary schools that welcomes international students into its programs; more information, as well as the school’s application procedure can be found at their official website.
George Brown College
George Brown College is one of the culinary schools that admits foreign students into its programs; the school’s details and application link can be assessed by typing their name in your browser.
Vancouver Community College
This culinary school is one of the few in Canada that admits overseas students. The school offers two culinary programs: a Certificate in Asian Culinary Arts and a Diploma in Culinary Arts, both of which can be completed in five months or two years.
Liaison College
Liaison College is one of the best culinary schools in Canada, and they allow international students into their programs. More information on the program can be found on their official site.
Northwest Culinary Academy
Northwest Culinary Academy is a Canadian culinary school that welcomes international students into its culinary programs. Professional Culinary Arts Diploma, Professional Bread & Pastry Arts Diploma, and One Year Culinary & Pastry/Bread are among the programs available.
Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute
The Le Cordon Bleu has been providing world-renowned culinary arts education for 125 years, employing unique teaching methods that allow students to gain expertise via hands-on learning. A few of short courses, a diploma, and a Bachelor in Integrated Food Sciences are available at the institution.
One of Canada’s culinary schools, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute, accepts overseas students.
These are the information concerning the best culinary schools in Canada; links to some of their official websites have also been provided to help you learn more about specific program requirements and so facilitate your acceptance.