In a world where plant-based eating is no longer just a trend but a lifestyle, the demand for chefs who can craft extraordinary vegetarian dishes is skyrocketing.
Whether you’re a passionate home cook or an aspiring culinary professional, enrolling in a school where plants rule the plate could be your first step toward a flavorful, sustainable career.
If you’re serious about leveling up your vegetarian cooking game, the right culinary school can make all the difference.
While these schools aren’t 100% vegetarian, they offer some of the best plant-based programs available, blending hands-on cooking, solid theory, and legitimate certifications.
Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a pro chef or just want to get good at meatless meals, these programs are a great place to start.
If you are interested in taking other health-related cooking courses, check these out: Best Plant-based Chef Training Programs to Master the Art, Whole Food Cooking Classes in Texas: Dallas, San Antonia, Fort Worth, and Houston, Embracing Health and Creativity: Best Raw Vegan Cooking Classes.
Ready to turn your love for vegetables into art? Let’s explore the best vegetarian culinary schools around the globe that are redefining the future of food.
Table of Contents
Meaning of Plant-based meals
A plant-based meal can be referred to as eating patterns that focus on food primarily from plants, these include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, oil, whole grains, legumes, and beans, you do not need to be a vegetarian to take or make plant-based meals, you can still eat meat or dairy products.
The differences between the terms vegetarian, plant-based, and vegan include:
- Vegetarian — A diet that includes no meat, but may include animal products like milk and eggs.
- Vegan — A diet that includes no animal products, including meat, eggs, dairy, and honey
- Plant-Based — A diet that prioritizes plant-based ingredients like vegetables, grains, and nuts; may or may not include animal products.
Most nutrition research has examined plant-based diets, such as the Mediterranean and vegetarian diets, to have benefits like reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, increased longevity, and certain cancers (colon, prostate, and breast cancer).
This pattern of eating also decreases depression and in advanced adults, the risk of fragility. It also increases mental and physical performance, plant-based diets offer all the necessary carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, fats, and minerals for optimal health, some vegetarians may need to add supplements to make sure.
Types of Vegetarians
- Semi-vegetarian or flexitarian includes eggs, dairy foods, and occasionally meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.
- Pescatarian includes eggs, dairy foods, fish, and seafood, but no meat or poultry.
- Vegetarian ( lacto-ovo vegetarian) includes eggs and dairy foods, but no meat, poultry, fish, or seafood.
- Vegan: a vegan diet includes only plant foods—fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds.
Advantages of Consuming a Vegetarian Diet
Most nutrition research has proven diets such as the Mediterranean and vegetarian diets to have benefits like reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, increased longevity, and certain cancers (colon, prostate, and breast cancer).
This pattern of eating also decreases depression, and in advanced adults, the risk of fragility, it also increases mental and physical performance. plant-based diets offer all the necessary carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, fats, and minerals for optimal health, some vegetarians may need to add supplements.
The Best Culinary Schools for Aspiring Vegetarian Chefs (or Curious Foodies)
- Le Cordon Bleu
- The Culinary Arts Academy
- The Institute of Culinary Education
- The Vegan School
- The Southern Adventist University
- Plant Academy
- Vegchef Academy
- Plant Food Culinary Academy
- Natural Cookery School
Le Cordon Bleu – Worldwide
The Le Cordon Bleu is one of the best culinary schools in the world, vegetarian cooking is all about using refined olive oil, herbs, spices, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, this makes this diet a healthier option for consumption.
A vegetarian diet will help manage weight, protect the heart, and even prevent some chronic diseases. This school is the perfect place to nurture your vegetarian culinary skills by enrolling for their Diploma in Plant-Based Culinary Arts.
Le Cordon Bleu has numerous branches in different parts of the world you can look for one that is close to you, so you do not have an excuse to expose yourself to this school’s specialized training in the art of plant-based pastry making and baking to enhance students’ culinary expertise.
This course has a mixture of in-kitchen demonstrations performed by the chef running the session and hands-on practicals, where you are guided by the expert teaching chef. You should have a flat-soled shoe, I will not advise you to go for open toes and a Tupperware to transport your products home.
The Culinary Arts Academy – Switzerland
The Culinary Arts Academy offers the Swiss Grand Diploma in Vegetarian Culinary Arts, the duration of this program is three terms, and you will be allowed to explore the health benefits of vegetarian cuisines and also the creation of menus, substitute ingredients, and the art of presentation.
You will be allowed to interact with top vegetarian chefs and also be able to intern in restaurants that have vegetarian menus, if you are an international student you should allow 8 – 12 weeks between your application and program start date.
You have to be 18 and above, other requirements include: Completed secondary school education (IB Diploma, IBCP Diploma, Maturité, Abitur, French Bac, 2 A-levels, high school diploma or equivalent), English language proficiency of TOEFL iBT 55 or IELTS academic module 5.5 or OOPT 50+ equivalent.
The location of the Culinary Arts Academy is Le Bouveret in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The Institute of Culinary Education – Online
This school offers a Vegetarian culinary course but it’s online, the fact that this course is offered online will give the flexibility and opportunity to learn online. The name of the program is the Online Plant-Based Culinary Arts and Food Operations Diploma Program.
Taking up this program will expose you to professionals in the vegetarian industry, you will learn the fundamental techniques used in bringing plant-based meals to life, and the best part is you get to do all these from the convenience of the house.
The Institute of Culinary Education is one of the best schools that offer vegetarian culinary programs in the world, which is why they have provided this 900-hour intensive curriculum, it was thoughtfully designed with both beginners and professionals in the vegetarian industry.
The Vegan School – India
The Vegan School is one of the vegetarian culinary schools for students who want to learn the art and science behind plant-based meals and how to prepare healthy meals. The chef instructors working in this culinary institute are among the best chefs in India who are passionate about healthy living, learning, and teaching.
This school has courses for students who are interested in getting in-depth knowledge about different healthy cooking topics, there are courses for beginners in the plant-based niche. You will build your knife skills and you will learn how to make raw food, gluten-free food, and no oil cooking.
Taking up a program in the Vegan School will prepare you for your career in the plant-based industry by teaching you how to write recipes and improve your culinary vocabulary. The students will be able to network with fellow students, chefs, and other culinary educators who share similar goals.
The Southern Adventist University – Tennessee, USA
The Southern Adventist University offers an associate of science degree in vegetarian culinary arts, this degree will equip you with all the necessary experience like food preparation at restaurants with plant-based ingredients and also the menu preparation for vegetarian meals.
If you want to apply for this degree you have to apply to Southern Adventist University and then apply for acceptance into the Vegetarian Culinary Arts program, you have to display a strong work ethic and interest in a hands-on career. You have to be determined to achieve your goals.
This class will make you fall in love with a vegetarian diet, the chef instructors are there to help you with any difficulties and teach you how to give life to dishes while highlighting and supporting your efforts, winnings, and failures along the way.
Plant Academy – Online & Europe
The Plant Academy is recognized as one of the leading vegetarian cooking schools for people who want to learn how to make healthy meals. The chef instructors in this school are qualified award-winning chef entrepreneurs. You will learn about the fundamentals of plant food.
They offer fundamental courses to business courses that are related to plants, you can make your payment for a course at once or in installments, if you decide to pay at once the fee is four hundred euros, while the monthly installment is one hundred and fifty Euros, you can learn how to make healthy meals using plants.
The Plant Academy has guest experts, entrepreneurs, and brands that will teach you and also help you kick start and grow your business from idea, design, and finance, you will be able to network with a community of plant-based leaders who will help you with the upgrading of your business skills.
Vegchef Academy – Global Access
The Vegchef Academy is one of the vegetarian culinary schools, This school was established to meet the growing demand for skilled plant-based chefs who will impact their community and the world. This academy partnered with world-leading online culinary instructors and educators to give their students quality education on plant-based meals.
The vegetarian culinary programs offered by the Vegchef Academy are organized by the World Association of Chefs Services giving it worldwide recognition as a quality program and as an entry level to the chef industry. You will gain knowledge and practical culinary skills and nutrition science.
There is an eight-week internship program at a leading plant-based restaurant, during this internship you will receive training in meal prep, managing different stations, plating, and working with a set menu. The partnering restaurant will supervise you to maximize your learning outcome.
Plant Food Culinary Academy – Asia
The Plant Food Culinary Academy is one of the best vegetarian culinary schools where you can get professional education in the power of whole plant-based living foods. This school was established to help students convert traditional cuisine to healthy living foods, food is like medicine to the body.
Students will be opportune to be led and taught by chef instructors and culinary directors who have in-depth knowledge about plant-based meals and are ready to hold your hand as you scale through the difficulties of learning and practicing.
Traditional techniques of fermentation, sprouting grains, nuts, and seeds, and sourcing the shortest distance between soil and plate are a glimpse of what the students will be taught. The chef’s instructors at the Plant Food Culinary Academy are determined to train the new generations of home-based and career-driven, plant-based chefs in the power of living foods as preventative medicine.
Natural Cookery School – UK
The Natural Cookery School is an institution where as the name implies students are taught about healthy meals in a professional way, and the students will be able to form a connection with plant-based cooking and whole food cuisines, you can decide to take up whole food cooking courses if you reside in Texas.
You do not need to be a person who is interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry, you can be a person seeking to shift daily towards whole food, and plant-based cooking with the creative process — there is a course for you. You can become the master of plant-based, ingredients while engaging in a creative process.
Have Questions About Vegetarian Culinary Programs?
Here are some of the most common questions and answers to help you better understand what these programs offer and how to choose the right one for you.
Are There Different Types of Vegetarian Cooking Classes Available?
Yes, there are various types of Vegtarian cooking classes available, including courses focused on specific cuisines (e.g., Mediterranean, Asian), specialized diets (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian), and cooking techniques (e.g., baking, meal prep).
You can choose classes that align with your interests and goals, so you should research your interests and goals to find the classes that will help you achieve your goals.
Will I Learn About the Health Benefits of the Vegetarian Diet?
Yes! In addition to cooking techniques, these courses often cover the health advantages of the Mediterranean diet, including its impact on heart health, weight management, and overall well-being.
What Kind of Certification Can I xpect to get?
Certification depends on the program and school. Many offer certificates in vegetarian or plant-based cuisine upon completion, while others include general culinary certifications with a focus on vegetarian training.
Can I get a Job After Completing a Vegetarian Culinary Program?
Yes. With the rise in demand for plant-based options, many restaurants, catering services, and even wellness companies are looking for chefs trained in vegetarian cuisine. Completing one of these programs can boost your chances of getting hired or starting your own food business.
How Do I Choose the Right Vegetarian Program for Me?
Consider your goals. Are you cooking for fun, aiming to become a professional chef, or starting a food business? Look at course content, duration, cost, location, and the type of certification offered to find the best fit for you.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to attend a strictly vegetarian culinary school to become a master of plant-based cooking.
As you’ve seen, some of the best culinary programs around the world offer top-notch vegetarian courses that combine theory, hands-on experience, and valuable certifications.
Whether you’re looking to start a career in the kitchen, switch to a more plant-forward lifestyle, or simply sharpen your cooking skills, these programs can give you the tools and the confidence to bring your vegetarian visions to life.
So, apron on and veggies prepped. The plant-powered journey starts here.
