If you’re interested in becoming a chef, Singapore is one of the best places to train. With some of the most respected culinary schools in Singapore, you can design your career path while discovering all that Culinary Arts has to offer.
In this article, we’ll share with you some reputable culinary schools in Singapore. So, if you have a strong interest in becoming a chef, or working in the Food & Beverage industry, you will find this article detailing the reputable culinary schools in Singapore, particularly useful.
Furthermore, the list below is not in order of ranking. Without further ado, let us begin:
The List of Culinary Schools in Singapore
- Asian Culinary Institute Singapore
- SSA Culinary Institute Pte. Ltd
- At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy
- SHATEC Culinary Institute
- The Culinary Institute of America, Singapore
- Temasek Polytechnic
- Food Playground
- Institute of Technical Education
- SHRM College
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Republic Polytechnic
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Palate Sensations Culinary School
- Brettschneider’s Baking & Cooking School
- ABC Cooking Studio Singapore
Asian Culinary Institute Singapore
Asian Culinary Institute was established in 2014 to provide education and training in the culinary arts. The institute offers a wide range of certificate programs that are designed to give students an appreciation for the intricacies of Asian cuisine.
They also offer diploma programs for those looking for a more advanced skill set. The tuition fee is $1,748 for Singaporeans (after SSG subsidy), and $5,826 for non-Singaporeans. Classes are held on Sundays or Tuesdays.
SSA Culinary Institute Pte. Ltd
Established back in 2005, SSA Culinary Institute is one of the most reputable culinary schools in Singapore. It offers over 20 courses, ranging from fundamental to advanced skillsets.
SSA Culinary Institute has several professional qualifications that are widely recognized in the industry; these include the WSQ Professional Diploma in Culinary Arts (PDCA) and Advanced Certificate in Pastry & Bakery (ACPB).
SSA Culinary Institute has two facilities: one at Tai Seng and another at Tampines East. Both are furnished with modern equipment and facilities for students to learn basic as well as advanced culinary skills.
With a wide range of classes offered, students will be able to explore their talents beyond their imagination.
Classes are conducted by experienced chefs who have worked in many reputable establishments before teaching at SSA Culinary Institute.
In addition, the tuition fees at this school vary based on what course you’ve selected to study, and this cost begins at $215.
At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy
Courses Offered at the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy include Culinary Arts Management Diploma, Culinary Arts Management degree (BA), Culinary and Catering certificate, and more.
This school is one of the best culinary schools in Singapore. In 2017, At-Sunrice was the recipient of the “Best Vocational Chef School” at the World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence; and was also awarded an “Edutrust” Star by the Council for Private Education.
Additionally, At-Sunrice has its chapter of Les Toques Blanches Internationales Singapore (LTBIS) which is an international honor society for chefs.
Impressively, At-Sunrice remains one of the most awarded culinary schools in Singapore. And even better, their certificates are recognized internationally. However, the downside to this school is its fees.
Enrolling in the At-Sunrice costs anywhere around $4,000 to $8,000, and is considered one of the most expensive culinary schools in Singapore.
SHATEC Culinary Institute
SHATEC Culinary Institute offers a selection of culinary programs that have been developed by a team of chefs with international experience.
The school’s instructors come from diverse backgrounds and share a passion for food that they pass on to their students.
SHATEC also boasts an impressive list of alumni, some of whom have gone on to open their restaurants or win prestigious awards for their culinary achievements.
The institute has an innovative kitchen lab where students can learn about the latest techniques in cooking and plating.
You’ll be able to use equipment you might find at Michelin-starred establishments around the world, like blast chillers and vacuum press machines.
You will also work with produce that isn’t always easily found in Singapore, like foie gras and edible flowers, which are great ingredients for aspiring chefs looking to add flair to their dishes.
However, SHATEC’s fees cost around $7,000, depending on what program you’re applying for; which unlike the first two culinary schools in Singapore that we mentioned, costs significantly higher.
The Culinary Institute of America, Singapore
The CIA (no, not the American intelligence) is a world-renowned culinary school in Singapore, especially for prospective chefs and culinary professionals.
The school offers many programs to help you hone your skills, from 6-month certificate courses to full 4-year degrees.
What sets the CIA apart is the flexibility of its course offerings; students can pick and choose which classes they want to take based on specific areas of interest.
For example, let’s say you’re interested in learning more about specialized cuisines such as Japanese sushi or French pastries.
Instead of having to enroll in a full degree program and pay tuition fees for subjects outside your area of interest, you can take only these elective classes and receive a certificate instead.
This option may be ideal for those who are looking for short-term training rather than a degree or diploma.
If the CIA sounds like it could be right up your alley, visit their website to learn more about their programs and tuition.
Temasek Polytechnic
If you’re a culinary professional who’s looking to hone or change careers, you might be interested in taking some classes and getting certified from Temasek Polytechnic.
There are many options for programs, with varying costs and educational schedules, but for us, the best option was Temasek Polytechnic’s Culinary Arts program.
This school has tried to expand its presence in Singapore over the years, and its website is filled with a lot of practical information about what the school has to offer, how you can apply [to] it, and how successful students fared.
It says that there are six (6) places to learn this course at this university. We checked the test preparation materials they provide on their website as well as the testimonials.
They seem very realistic. It also said on their website that almost all of the students pass their certification exams!
Food Playground
The Food Playground culinary school offers a variety of classes taught by passionate foodies in a relaxed, friendly, and fun environment. The classes are suitable for beginners looking to learn their way through the kitchen as well as experienced cooks who want to sharpen their skills.
Food Playground is also a culinary school in Singapore located in the heart of the Chinatown Complex.
Courses are offered every week from Monday through Sunday, with class options ranging from casual weekend courses to intensive daytime sessions that run six days a week.
The cost ranges from $58 for a two-hour cooking class on the weekend to $1,088 for an intensive course that runs one day per week for ten weeks.
What makes this school unique? Food Playground is also available for private events such as corporate team-building activities and children’s parties.
Institute of Technical Education
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is made up of a few different schools.
If you’re thinking about going to ITE, you’ll want to know which school will be best for your education and career. Here are three of the schools that are part of ITE:
- ITE College Central (Admiralty Drive)
- ITE College East (Simei Road)
- ITE College West (Jalan Bahar).
ITE has one of the best degrees for Culinary Arts, which is recognized internationally. It is no doubt that ITE is one of the best culinary schools in Singapore. Prospective students looking to study in this school must be aware of something, however.
And this is that getting admitted to the Institute of Technical Education requires that you meet several requirements:
- Relevant ITE CET Nitec in Services (GPA of 2.0 and above).
- Relevant ITE CET Higher Nitec in Services (GPA of 3.0 and above).
- Relevant Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) diplomas and Level 6 WSQ Workplace Literacy and Workplace Numeracy.
Thus, if you meet these requirements, and consider ITE a great option for your culinary aspirations, or working in the Food & Beverage industry, view their Diploma courses here.
SHRM College
SHRM College is a private school that offers diploma and degree programs in the field of hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts.
The institution has been accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education (BAC).
SHRM College is also registered under the Council for Private Education (CPE), an institution established by the Ministry of Education.
SHRM College offers three types of Culinary Arts courses: Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts Fast Track, and Diploma in Culinary Skills.
All courses are taught in English, and they last for 6 months. The curriculum covers topics such as food production, food safety, pastry arts, bakery productions, cold kitchen operations, advanced cooking techniques, and skills.
Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Polytechnic offers a Diploma in Culinary and Catering Management, which is designed to provide students with a practical learning experience.
The program covers a range of culinary techniques, food preparation, and food and beverage management. Graduates can expect to earn a starting salary of $2,000 upon completion of their studies.
If you dream about a career in the F & B industry, this culinary school is one of the best you will find in Singapore.
Republic Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic (RP) is one of the 5 polytechnics in Singapore, and it also doubles as one of the top culinary schools in Singapore.
It offers a diploma course in culinary arts which provides students with specialized education and focuses on developing skills that are required to have a successful career as a chef.
Those who wish to enroll in this course must meet the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
- The candidate must have passed 12th grade from any school recognized by the Ministry of Education.
- All applicants need to pass an entrance test conducted by RP before gaining admission to this diploma program.
The tuition fee for this course is approximately $10,000 per year. Students who are eligible
can apply for financial aid offered by RP, as well as scholarships provided by various organizations and companies such as NTUC FairPrice Foundation and Spring Singapore, among others.
The funding granted under these schemes would reduce the cost of education significantly or even cover it entirely.
Singapore Polytechnic
The diploma program will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a chef.
The course covers various aspects of culinary management, including dining room operations, kitchen operations, banquet management, and restaurant management.
Students will also gain hands-on experience through internships with industry partners.
As expected, the Culinary Arts program is highly-rated; and it puts Singapore Polytechnic as one of the best culinary schools in Singapore.
They also offer internships for students looking to hone their skills further to prepare themselves for a career in the F & B industry, or Hospitality Management.
During the internship phase, students can take on challenging tasks that require strong communication skills and critical thinking.
The experience they accumulate during this period will be useful in their future career as a chef.
Palate Sensations Culinary School
This private culinary school in Singapore has been running for more than 20 years, and it has trained over 10,000 students. Palate Sensations offers a wide range of practical and hands-on cooking classes for all levels of experience.
The school is located in Chromos. Its state-of-the-art facilities include professional kitchens where classes are held, as well as a demonstration kitchen. Classes are taught by professional chefs and led by the founder herself—Jaime Lim.
Classes are open to both adults and kids aged seven years old and above; there are also classes for couples who want to learn about cooking together in a fun environment.
The school is equipped with all the essential equipment that you’ll need during your class; you’ll just have to bring your ingredients (depending on the course).
Palate Sensations Culinary School also offers gift vouchers which make perfect gifts for any special occasion or celebration (e.g., birthdays, anniversaries), so if you have friends who love cooking but don’t know how to get started, you can surprise them with one.
Brettschneider’s Baking & Cooking School
Brettschneider’s Baking & Cooking School is another popular option for those looking to learn to cook. Founded by chef Dean Brettschneider in 2016, the culinary school offers a wide range of courses for both experienced professionals and aspiring home cooks. Its basic classes can take place over a single weekend or 6 evenings, while its advanced classes last from 1 week to 1 month.
The school also offers flexible learning options: you can decide whether you’d prefer to attend group classes or private sessions, which are held at either its location on East Coast Road or at your own home. Brettschneider’s offers excellent value as well—group classes range from $85-210 SGD, while private lessons start at just SGD 120 per hour!
ABC Cooking Studio Singapore
ABC Cooking Studio has been offering cooking classes since 2005 and has over 400 branches all over the world, including Indonesia, Korea, China, Thailand, and more.
The studio offers two different types of courses—the regular course where you learn to cook Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, and more, and the pastry course where you get to learn how to make bread such as baguettes and croissants.
The price for a regular course starts from $260 for 4 lessons and it increases depending on the number of lessons you take.
If you’re interested in taking up a pastry course, prices start from $500 for bread basic lessons.
The studio is located in different places in Singapore including Takashimaya, Westgate, and Funan; so, head there if you’d like to learn more about their courses or visit their website.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing the right culinary school can be a challenging task as there are many aspects to consider. You should look for a school that provides the learning opportunities you need and matches your future career goals.
The top culinary schools have all the tools and resources you will need to succeed, from libraries with extensive collections of reference materials to fully equipped kitchen facilities.
The range of courses offered differs among schools in terms of curriculum, duration, and accreditation, so it is important to check whether your qualification will be recognized by global bodies such as the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, WorldChefs, or American Culinary Federation. Additionally, scholarships may also be available at some schools.
In this article, we’ve analyzed these culinary schools in Singapore. Now that you know more about them and the programs they offer, it’s time to take action and apply to the program of your choice!
We hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as we enjoyed writing it. If you’re still looking for more information, check out our other articles. Thanks again for reading!