Many of us wish to pursue a course that is unique and stands out from the crowd. As a result, courses like photography, graphic design, printing technology, etc., have become extremely popular today. One particular course that has taken the world by storm is ‘culinary studies.’ With an increased focus on health and nutrition, people are on the hunt for industry professionals who have a thorough knowledge of food science.
Culinary courses in Canada bridge the gap between the demand and supply of food professionals. There are many universities around the world, especially in Canada, that offer culinary studies as a course to help you become a baker or a chef. But as an Indian student, how do you get admitted to such programs? What are the eligibility criteria? Read on to know more.
Colleges in Canada For Culinary Arts Courses
University of Fraser Valley
Situated at Abbotsford, this university offers a well-recognised certification program in culinary arts. The UFV culinary arts program trains students to work in all types of kitchen setups, right from a small family kitchen to Michelin star restaurants.
The duration of the course is 39 weeks, and the student will be trained in all aspects of cooking like vegetable chopping, knife skills, kitchen management, kitchen safety, professionalism, and many more.
Eligibility Criteria
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- Secondary school graduation or equivalent
- A passing English language proficiency test score
- Should be 18 years or older
- Apart from this, the student has to complete a personal interview session before joining the course.
Tuition Fee
The fee ranges around 6000 CAD along with separate charges for books, clothes, and accommodation.
Admission Process
Start the application process by filling out the form given on the university webpage. Even if you haven’t completed your grade 12, you can still apply for the course, provided your year of passing is the same as the year of joining the course.
Culinary Institute of Canada, Holland College
The institute offers a variety of courses in fields like culinary arts, pastry arts, and hospitality management. The courses offered are designed in such a way that the student has the skills to manage an exclusive à la carte restaurant or be an expert in the multi-cuisine industry.
The diploma in culinary arts is a two-year program with a focus on hands-on training rather than imparting textbook knowledge. A typical classroom will include a dining room, a cookhouse, and a lounge.
Eligibility Criteria
The admission requirements for the diploma program include grade 12 graduation and a resume highlighting relevant experience (if any) in the culinary field.
Tuition Fee
An international applicant needs to spend around CAD 35000 as a tuition fee for two years apart from other expenses.
Admission Process
The application form is readily available on the university’s web page. Upload all the necessary documents proving your eligibility for the program.
The Culinary Arts School of Ontario
This is a private institution in Ontario that offers a two-year diploma for international students willing to get trained in the art of cooking. The programs include a sous chef diploma and a professional chef diploma.
The duration is around 37 weeks for the sous chef program and 54 weeks for the professional chef program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Graduation from a higher secondary school.
- Satisfactory English proficiency test scores.
- Apart from them, the institute conducts an entrance test, which the student has to clear.
- Another mandatory requirement is a valid study permit to pursue a full-time diploma course in Canada.
After meeting all the criteria, the student can move forward with the application by paying a fee of CAD 500. A letter of confirmation from the Culinary Arts School can be used for visa processing purposes.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for the professional chef diploma program is around CAD 14000 with an additional CAD 400 for books, while the tuition fee is only CAD 8000 for the sous chef diploma program.
Admission Process
After meeting the eligibility criteria, a student can move forward with the application by paying a fee of CAD 500. A letter of confirmation from the school can be used for visa processing purposes.
George Brown Chef School
George Brown Chef School is one of the largest culinary schools in Canada, situated in Toronto. With a blend of theoretical and hands-on training, this chef school helps students make a successful career in the culinary industry.
George Brown has a powerful line-up of alumni in Mark McEwan and Roger Mooking, among many other critically acclaimed chefs. This chef school offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and post-graduate programs in the culinary and hospitality areas.
The school offers some of the top chef courses in Canada, such as:
- The culinary skills certification program
- Diploma in culinary management
- Honours Bachelor of food studies
- Post-graduation in food and nutrition management
Eligibility Criteria
Admission to the master’s program requires a diploma or bachelor’s degree in culinary management. Relevant work experience in the same field will be considered an added advantage. Other mandatory requirements include a resume, proof of English language proficiency, and a valid study permit.
Tuition Fee
An international applicant needs to pay around CAD 16000 as tuition fees for the diploma program. This is apart from expenses for books and cooking accessories like knives, aprons, and other equipment.
Admission Process
The application form for the winter program will be available 9 months before the start of the program. Upon confirmation of admission, you will receive an offer letter using which you can apply for a visa and study permit.
Culinary School, LaSalle College
One of the best culinary colleges in Canada, this school is located in Montreal, Quebec. LaSalle College offers promising career opportunities in the food and beverage industry for graduates of its diploma in the professional cooking program.
Eligibility Criteria
You should have completed your higher secondary schooling and have a score of 75 or 5.5 in TOEFL/IELTS, respectively. The applicant should be 18 years of age at the time of joining the course.
Apart from these, a strong passion for working in the kitchen and creative presentation skill is all you need to become a chef.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee ranges from CAD 30,000 to CAD 45,000 for international students, depending on the course you choose.
Admission Process
LaSalle College has three academic calendars for fall, winter, and summer. Application forms for programs falling under each of these calendars are made available months before they start.
Algonquin College of Culinary Studies
The Algonquin College offers a four-semester diploma in culinary management. You will be taken through a series of classes (both theoretical and practical) in food preparation, food presentation, menu planning, nutrition, baking, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
- High school graduation
- Proof of English language proficiency with a band score of 6.0 in IELTS or 80 in TOEFL
Admission to this school is predominantly based on English language proficiency.
Tuition Fee
The total tuition fee for 2 years for international students adds up to CAD 33000.
Admission Process
After you submit the application, it will be reviewed and processed on a first-come-first-serve basis only. Upon selection, you will receive a letter of confirmation from Algonquin College.
Fanshawe College
The two-year diploma from this college offers an exciting experience for students to learn about the varieties of food production, the history of spirits, beers, and their combination with food for taste enhancement.
Fanshawe College has its own teaching restaurant, The Chef’s Table, where practical classes are held frequently. The college also hosts many annual culinary competitions that attract contestants from other culinary universities as well. These contests are also a platform for the recruiters to handpick the best chefs.
Eligibility Criteria
The course requires a high school degree, proof of English language, and a high score in mathematics.
Tuition Fee
The total cost of the program for international students is valued at around CAD 35,000 for two years.
Admission Process
Your application will be approved totally based on your grade 12 score and English language proficiency. The deadline for the winter program is February 2022. So be ready with all your transcripts which you will be asked to upload at the time of submitting the application.
Scope of Studying Culinary Courses in Canada
Here are five reasons why opting for culinary courses in Canada makes total sense for Indian students today:
Countless Job Opportunities: The hospitality industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in Canada and in the world. This means a plethora of job opportunities for students.
- Great Colleges: Canada is home to some of the best culinary institutes in the world, such as George Brown Chef School, Algonquin, Fanshawe, etc.
- Access to top chefs: You get trained under some of the best chefs in the world teaching in these universities.
- Easy admission process: The eligibility criteria for most colleges are pretty straightforward. A good English score is the primary requirement in most of these colleges.
- Reasonable fees: Most of the courses charge very nominal fees, unlike colleges in France or the US.
Conclusion
That was the list of top culinary courses in Canada. There are several more universities in cities like Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto, which are equally good and offer degrees like bachelor’s and masters in culinary arts in Canada. Getting admitted to these prestigious colleges requires expertise, and this is where LeapScholar steps in.
We are one of the top study abroad experts in the country and have helped thousands of students get admitted to top culinary schools in the world, including Canada.
Related Articles:
- Food Science and Technology 2022 in Canada
- Top Universities for Food & Nutrition in Canada
- Master of Food Science & Technology in Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there scholarships for culinary studies in Canada?
Yes. There are various scholarship programs in Canada that are being offered to international students for culinary arts. Universities like George Brown College, Centennial College, University of Alberta, etc., have their in-house scholarship programs to welcome international students. Apart from scholarships, you can also apply for government student loans and grants.
Is there a high demand for courses in culinary arts across the world?
With the food and hospitality industry growing year on year, there has been a shortfall in the talent pool of chefs and bakers around the world. The demand for culinary professionals has therefore risen exponentially. So, a degree in culinary arts or catering can never go off-demand anywhere in the world.
Are culinary arts programs offered on a part-time basis?
As culinary arts is one of the courses with a great focus on practical knowledge, most universities are not offering culinary arts courses on a part-time basis. There are a handful of universities offering a part-time degree, but usually, the degrees have very little value in the food industry.
