How Studying Culinary Arts Can Set You Up For an Incredible Career

All over New Zealand, top quality restaurants, trendy cafes and 5 star eateries are popping up.

Driven by incredible fresh ingredients and an abundance of local produce, food preparation has never been so glamorous. But beyond the celebrity chefs, pacific fusion restaurants and chef’s whites, what does professional cookery actually look like?

To be a successful chef, you need to have completed some form of formal training. Popular options include studying at Cordon Bleu Wellington, completing training at Caro Marie Culinary Arts Studio and the cookery courses at NTEC Auckland. There are a huge range of programs available, from cake decorating to a bachelor of science in culinary arts, so make sure to check out some of the available courses here.

To be eligible to study cooking in New Zealand, there are a few simple things that you need to do. If you’re an international student, first check the entry requirements for each of the possible schools (listed below), and make sure that they’re recognised with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) – each one may have different requirements and tuition fees. While you’re browsing schools, make sure to check out this helpful article giving you 7 reasons why you should give studying in New Zealand a go!

If you’re a domestic student, you’ll also need to consider the different schools and what they require in terms of your study options, but remember that with cooking classes some schools may offer recognition of prior learning.

Schools offering culinary arts courses in New Zealand:

Along with specifically hospitality industry related schools offering courses, there are a number of colleges in New Zealand for culinary arts and beyond, which offer studies like a bachelor of science majoring in culinary arts. Wherever you live, there’s likely to be a study option. Some schools offer online elements which can limit your travel time to once or twice a week.

Successful completion of a formal qualification can be a fantastic way to get started in the field, as cookery courses and beyond can offer help in training you in hospitality management, practical sessions, menu design, and some even have a training restaurant which allows you to get some practical experience, but there are always alternatives.

Working anywhere in the hospitality industry is always valued in restaurant services, and it’s not uncommon for front of house staff to end up helping in the back, and vice versa. If in doubt, get a foot in the door at any cafe or restaurant and make it known that you’re interested in learning more. Completing short courses rather than a full time more extensive course can also help you show employers that you’re serious about working in the area.

Career opportunities in the field of professional culinary arts are extensive in New Zealand. From working in a commercial kitchen to creating incredible cakes for your own business, there are culinary practices to suit everyone. The incredible local ingredients available, along with the globalised world that we live in, means that you can practice New Zealand cooking, European style baking, Asian stir fry cooking methods or the Australian and New Zealand classic, roast lamb.

All over the world, the culinary arts in New Zealand are become more and more famous, with CIA Culinary arts school having included Maori chef Monique Fiso cooking in their widely recognised World of Flavour International Conference and Festival, and Le Cordon Bleu, the famous french school, having opened a campus in Wellington.

Chefs and other cooking specialists, including pastry chefs, bakers etc, can earn a wide range of incomes. You may choose to open your own cafe in your local town, or work for one of the top eateries in the world. With a career in culinary arts, the world really is your oyster.

Whether you want to complete a formal qualification, like some of the cooking courses in Auckland, a New Zealand certificate in cookery or a level 3 NCEA, or want to work in a kitchen and work your way up through the ranks, a career in the culinary arts can be an incredibly rewarding experience that can get you recognition on the world stage, let you do something you love, and have a long term sustainable career! It really is the best way to turn a passion into a profession.