10 Top Culinary Schools in New Zealand-Programs & Skills

Deciding to attend any of the culinary schools in New Zealand or choosing to start a career as a chef is something anyone can do at any time in their life.

With the culinary industry proceeding to grow every year, there remains a very high demand for skilled culinary experts, and the requirements for anyone to get started may not be as tough as anticipated.

Cooking is an art form and a good life expression, and New Zealand is known to have a vibrant cooking culture.

Turning into a cook in New Zealand opens up numerous different ways, you’re not restricted to one food type or foundation.

This implies you can be a professional in your career course, something which many budding culinary specialists do. Read on to find the culinary schools in New Zealand.

What Is Culinary Arts?

Culinary Arts refer to the art of teaching, cooking, presenting and serving food. Culinary arts can also refer to all professions that involve preparing and presentation of food.

According to Wikipedia, Culinary arts are the culinary arts of food preparation, cooking, and presentation of food, usually in the form of meals.

Who Is A Culinary Artist?

A culinary artist is someone working in this field (culinary arts). In establishments such as restaurants and cuisines, they are commonly called “chefs” or “cooks”, although the terms “culinary artist” and “culinarian” are also used.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Chef?

Anybody can become a professional Culinary artist, but if you are simply beginning you should get experience wing in a kitchen to put on your CV.

It could also be beneficial for you to obtain a qualification, for your cooking specialty to acquire methods that will give you the information you want.

There are lots of ways you can become a culinary artist. Some of which include:

  • Work – Many organizations will take on school leavers. You would begin your training as a kitchen right-hand or student and move gradually up the kitchen progressive system.
  • Apprenticeships –  An apprenticeship will typically starting the middle of the road or high level. You can likewise work and advance simultaneously.
  • College /University Degree – if you have your qualifications and would like to study to become a professional in this specialty additionally called Culinary Arts – there are school courses you can enlist on. Most colleges offer an establishment degree for culinary arts.
  • Culinary School – There are various culinary arts schools you can go to qualify. Culinary schools will show cooking strategies from professionals while utilizing the most recent, cutting-edge hardware and techniques. They can likewise be priceless in giving contacts and a network of support 

Skills needed for culinary arts courses

There are certain skills culinary students must have to perform well in school programs and other hospitality and tourism courses with operational content. Here are some of the skills that will help prepare you for a successful career as a chef.

Psychomotor skills: 

You must have adequate physical abilities, manual skills, and visual sensitivity to safely and effectively achieve the following:

  • Use knives and other commercial cooking utensils.

  • Lift and transport food and other culinary or baking items, gear, and utensils.

  • Pour and serve fluids and drinks, including hot fluids.

  • Work, business and food administration skills.

  • Outwardly survey the appearance of food to decide if it is cooked and plated appropriately.

Intellectual skills: Candidates should have the adequate intellectual capacity to play out the following:

  • Process verbal and written instruction
  • Be able to communicate effectively with others
  • Process verbal and composing guidance
  • Have the option to discuss actually with others

In addition to the skills listed above, one thing every chef needs to be fully up to date is good Food Hygiene Training.

Top 10 Skills Needed to Become a Chef

  • Genuine Passion And Willingness To Work
  • Organization
  • Ability to Multitask
  • Creativity
  • Time Management
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership Skills
  • Resilience
  • Self Confidence
  • Mental Fitness

1. Genuine Passion And Willingness To Work

Turning into a professional chef can involve a lot of training experience, and as they say, practice makes great. To turn into an incredible culinary specialist, you should be available to steady learning.

Consequently, you should want to be the individual who makes others’ eating encounters exceptional. Securing and empowering your enthusiasm for everything culinary will keep your creative style alive, and assist you with partaking in your work.

2. Organization

As a culinary expert, you need to stay organized to be in control. We know that kitchens can be a very busy environment to work in, so it is essential that you can always work clean and tidy. 

Set aside some time to clean up as you go so you don’t get overpowered in your part, wipe your surfaces down and set everything back where it should be. Remain coordinated to remain in charge. As you progress in your career, having good organizational skills will guarantee you oversee staff successfully and assist you with controlling each part of the kitchen, from the progression of work to the plating of dishes.

3  Ability to Multitask

The kitchen can be a very busy place, and so it is expected of every professional culinary artist to excellently multitask

4. Creativity

Becoming a cook includes something other than following a recipe. A cook ought to be imaginative as far as putting a menu and recipes together, how the dish looks on the plate, and how it tastes to the clients. They will likewise be imaginative in arranging how the kitchen functions.

5. Time Management

One of the keys to success in the culinary profession is having good time management skills. Good culinary art should Have the ability to meet business time necessities for completion of down-to-earth appraisals. 

While you’re working in a kitchen, there might be about 100 things occurring immediately. Pots bubble, flares touch off, and culinary experts get down on orders. While this strain can push certain individuals to their limits, others figure out how to flourish in this tumultuous climate. 

6. Teamwork

Work successfully freely; and also work effectively independently, in small and/or large groups as part of a team

7. Leadership Skills

Experienced culinary experts ought to know how to lead and guide the group, and get the best out of them. The Head Chef has the obligation regarding the kitchen, thus they must have the option to provide guidance and have it followed right away.

8. Resilience

You should have the ability to deal with criticisms, take a good look at them sincerely and conclude whether it is legitimate.

9. Self Confidence

As a professional Culinary you should have confidence in your craft. After you’ve got the right stuff culinary schooling can give, it could be nothing unexpected to observe your fearlessness take off. You need to have faith in yourself to continue to pursue what you know you’re able to do.

10. As a Bonus skill -Mental Fitness

A chef should have an astounding degree of physical and mental wellness. Working in a kitchen can be truly demanding- working long hours on your feet in hot temperatures and without many breaks – is extreme.

The List of Top Culinary Art Schools In New Zealand

Here is a list of top Culinary Art Schools in New Zealand :

1. Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand

Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand is a top culinary school in New Zealand. For more than a century, Le Cordon Bleu has enabled aspiring culinary professionals to turn their ambitions into reality. They offer a wide range of culinary arts, wine, management and hospitality programs. 

At Le Cordon Bleu, students become part of a great tradition of excellence, with credentials that will set them apart from the competition in a changing industry irrespective of their background.

The school is dedicated to preserving and passing on the mastery and application of the Culinary Arts through Culinary Certificates, Diplômes, Le Grand Diplôme, and more.

Grand Diplôme

  • Cuisine 

  • Pâtisserie- Pastry & Confectionery

  • Boulangerie 

  • Classic French Culinary Techniques 

  • Bachelor Degree 

  • Bakery Competition

  • Hospitality Management & Gastronomy

  • Continuing Education

  • Gourmet & Short Courses

  • Online Learning-Accredited

  • Online Learning-Non Accredited

Contact Details:

  • Address: 52 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington,  6011, New Zealand
  • Phone: +64 4 472 9800

2. AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Auckland University of Technology offers courses in Culinary Arts with a Bachelor of Arts. This culinary arts degree brings together key culinary techniques and advanced theoretical concepts in food science, technology and ethics.

It’s designed to develop creativity and provide the springboard for a career in culinary arts. It’s suitable for a wide range of students – from students who are coming directly from secondary school to industry professionals wanting to further their skills.

Core courses:

All Bachelor of Arts students need to complete core courses that help them develop transferable skills and support their work in all other courses in the degree.

Culinary Arts courses:

  • Professional Culinary Arts
  • Commercial Culinary Practice 
  • Gastronomy
  • Food Ethics and Sustainability
  • Contemporary Cuisine in Aotearoa
  • Practical industry experience

The Advanced Culinary:

This offers a practical experience to help students build further skills for the workplace and consolidate good decisions on their professional careers after graduation.

Contact Details:

  • Address: 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland Central
  • PHONE: 0800 288 864 / +64 9 921 9999

3. Akaroa Cooking School

Akaroa is a Cooking School in New Zealand that features over 100 delicious new recipes all well tested in the cooking school. 

Start on some simple courgette and feta fritters or little bacon and egg tarts.

Then gorge yourself on some sticky twice-cooked Asian pork ribs and a decadent dark chocolate mousse cake with raspberry coulis, vanilla mascarpone and pistachio crumb. 

Spend a wonderful day having your own private gourmet experience at The Akaroa Cooking School.

These classes are tailor-made to suit your tastes so you choose whether you would like to cook seafood, high-end dinner party food, Italian, French, Asian or whichever cuisine you would like to learn.

4. New Zealand School Of Food And Wine

New Zealand School Of Food and wine is regarded as Auckland’s finest school of culinary, wine & hospitality education.

Founded by Celia Hay in 1995, the New Zealand School of Food and Wine has been educating the next generation of baristas, chefs, restaurant & café owners, wine professionals and food lovers.

They offer NZQA New Zealand Government accredited qualifications and offer practical hands-on cooking and hospitality-tourism-focused certificates and diplomas.

Students are taught by a team of chefs, restaurant managers and wine professionals who are experts in their field and focused on the success of our students.

Courses/Programmes:

Full-Time Courses:

  • Cookery & Bakery
  • Hospitality
  • Wine

Short Courses:

  • Cooking
  • Wine
  • Barista & Cocktail
  • Compliance
  • Business & Technology
  • Food History
  • Secondary School Courses
  • Team Events

Contact Details:

  • Address: PO Box 106750, Auckland Central, Auckland 1143, New Zealand

5. International Culinary Studio

International Culinary Studio is the only blended online culinary educator in New Zealand accredited by the World Chefs’ Association. They are committed to providing professional, technology-driven education which comprises accredited courses as well as a range of industry-specific, hobby and Junior Chef online culinary courses internationally.

Students are taught by industry-leading chef educators, blended learning combines in-person teaching and online education.

This is largely thanks to the rapid development of technology, which allows students to learn at a faster, broader rate. The blended learning approach is extremely flexible, meaning that hospitality students can study and work at the same time.

Courses/Programs:

At International Culinary Studio they work closely with students to offer a unique career-related program that includes an industry externship.

This is to ensure that students gain the necessary skills to be confident in a commercial culinary environment.

NZQA Courses 

  • New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4
  • New Zealand Diploma in Cookery Level 5 – Advanced Cookery
  • New Zealand Diploma in Cookery Level 5 – Patisserie
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Global Certificates & Diplomas

  • Global Certificate in Professional Cookery
  • Global Diploma in Patisserie
  • Global Diploma in Professional Cookery
  • Global Advanced Diploma in Professional Cookery
  • Recognition of Prior Learning

Short Courses

  • Front of House
  • Cafe Baker
  • Café Chef
  • Barista Course
  • Food Safety in Catering
  • Catering Management
  • Knife Skills Course
  • Kitchen Hand Course
  • Cake Baking & Decorating
  • Catering Operations, Menu Planning and Food Costing Programme
  • Special Diets
  • Sustainable Practices for Food Service Professionals
  • The Art of Chocolate Confectionery
  • Junior Chef Programme
  • Home School Culinary Programme

Contact Details:

6. Asian Garden Cooking School

Asian Garden Cooking School is a cooking school in New Zealand that admires the philosophy and techniques of Asian cuisine.

They strive to share the knowledge of Asian cooking and most importantly allow students to seek enlightenment in the process of cooking and socializing.

If you enjoy cooking, you’ll love unlocking the secrets of fresh ingredients, many of which are grown in the school’s market garden onsite, which you will pick and use to create an authentic Asian meal.

Students end classes by sitting down and enjoying their cooked meals with a glass of wine or beer with new friends and admire each other’s skills.

They run day and evening classes, you can either book into an existing class online, or you can book for a special event or function.

Please note, due to the ingredients used during the cooking process (fish sauce, oyster sauce, shrimp paste etc.) General classes are not suitable for vegans/vegetarians.

Some dietary requirements can be catered for, aspiring students are to check the school’s calendar for special vegetarian/vegan classes.

Contact Details:

  • Address: 10 Whitchurch Place, Harewood, Christchurch 8051
  • Phone: 03 359 8917

7. The Culinary Collective (NZMA’s – New Zealand Management Academies Ltd culinary school.)

The Culinary Collective is built around the ways people like to eat, drink, and be entertained today.

If you love to cook or bake, have a dream to work for yourself or want to share your passion for food with others, you can choose from an exciting range of culinary and bakery courses they offer.

Courses:

At The Culinary Collective, they offer  Cooking and Bakery courses. Students do not only get the techniques and skills required in the industry but the confidence to work in a commercial kitchen environment after graduation.

They offer Cooking and Bakery courses and degrees in:

  • Certificate in Cookery, Level 4, 35 weeks.
  • Certificate in Baking (Generalist), Level 4, 35 weeks.
  • Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) – Cookery Strand, Level 5, 35 weeks.
  • Diploma in Cookery – Patisserie Strand, Level 5, 35 weeks.
  • Diploma in Culinary Management, Level 6, 40 weeks.

They also offer internship programs.

Contact Details:

  • Address: 100 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
  • Phone: 0800 891 898 / +64 9 442 3456

8. Manukau Institute Of Technology(MIT)

At MIT they support students to find their passion and unlock their potential to make their dreams a reality.

With practical hands-on learning and industry placements, students are led to real skills, for real jobs, in the real world.

Courses/Programs

Baking and patisserie

Culinary

  • New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)
  • International Diploma in Cookery (Level 5)
  • New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5) Cookery strand.

Hospitality (barista, café, and restaurant)

  • International diplomas in baking and cookery
  • Short courses

Contact Details:

9. The Western Institute Of Technology, Taranaki (WITT)

The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) or Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki, is a government-funded tertiary institute providing education to people within the region and from around the world.

As the local hub of learning, its role is to cater to the needs of learners, and to keep talented people in the region,  providing the key industries and local businesses the skilled workforce that they need.

Courses/Programs

From degrees and diplomas to apprenticeships and short courses, WITT delivers industry-relevant training to people at all stages of the learning journey.

They have industry-experienced tutors who are focussed on providing learners with hands-on, practical education that often involves work placements, industry projects and internships.

CoursesPrograms Include:

Bakery

Cookery

Food and Beverage Service

Hospitality Management

Short courses and micro-credentials

  • Diploma in Professional Cookery (Level 5) (For International Students Only)
  • New Zealand Diploma in Cookery (Advanced) (Level 5)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Marae-Based) (Level 3)
  • Introduction to Hospitality (Level 2)

Contact Detail: 

  • Address: 20 Bell Street, New Plymouth 4312  | Private Bag 2030, New Plymouth 4340
  • Phone:  0800 948 869
  • Email: info@witt.ac.nz

Is New Zealand Good for International Students?

New Zealand is an extraordinary objective for International students.

Its colleges stick to worldwide norms and are all routinely tried and observed by the public authority to guarantee a reliably elevated degree of training, independent of where you decide to study.

How Much Does culinary Schools in New Zealand Cost?

This varies according to school but ranges between this amount NZD$21,600 to NZD$23,200.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Chef in NZ?

There are no specific requirements to become a chef, but depending on your level of education and experience, it takes at least two to three years.

Conclusion 

Culinary schools in New Zealand, through a series of activities, teach Practical Business Skills, leadership skills, and how to work under pressure and all. This article provides a list of top culinary schools in New Zealand.

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