London is a global culinary capital, home to some of the world’s finest restaurants, renowned chefs, and prestigious cooking schools. Whether you dream of becoming a professional chef, mastering the art of pastry, or refining your culinary skills, the city offers a wealth of professional cooking courses designed to help you achieve your goals.
From intensive diploma programs at renowned institutions like Le Cordon Bleu and Westminster Kingsway College to specialized workshops in international cuisines, London provides aspiring chefs with hands-on training, expert mentorship, and industry-recognized certifications.
These courses not only teach essential techniques but also offer insights into food science, restaurant management, and modern gastronomy, preparing students for successful careers in the culinary world.
In this guide, we explore some of the top professional cooking courses in London, their unique offerings, and how they can help you take the next step in your culinary journey. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook looking to refine your skills, there’s a program tailored to your aspirations.
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What are the Best Professional Cooking Schools in London?
Some of the top culinary schools in London include Le Cordon Bleu London, Westminster Kingsway College, Leiths School of Food and Wine, Tante Marie Culinary Academy, and The Culinary Arts Academy at the University of West London.
These institutions offer a range of professional cooking courses, from diplomas to short-term programs.
List of Professional Cooking Courses in London
Below is a comprehensive list of professional cooking courses in London alongside the schools offering them, you can choose the one that suits your interests the best.
Diploma in Culinary Management
The diploma in culinary management is one of the professional cooking courses in London for students who are interested in becoming food business owners and managers. This course will expose you to in-depth knowledge about techniques and skills needed to successfully run your own business.
I must warn you everybody starts small, you may not jump into the whole business aspect at the beginning, and you sometimes have to start as an assistant chef or something similar, this does not mean you can not go directly to the business aspect, it is an added advantage to have hands-on experience.
Le Cordon Blue, one of the best culinary schools in the world, offers a diploma in culinary management. It is a full-time course that will hold your hand while exposing you to molecular and multi-sensory techniques, gastronomy, recipe development, and business and restaurant management.
The duration of this program is two hundred hours over ten weeks and one week of assignments, the price of the course is 7,945 Euros, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, this course makes provisions for people like you, let the chef know and a non-meat alternative will be provided for you.
Cook’s Certificate in Food and Wine
The Cooks Certificate in Food and Wine is offered by Cookery School — Sustainable Learning, one of London’s renowned culinary schools. The students who are taking part in this course will be provided with the necessary tools, techniques, and tips needed for them to thrive in the kitchen.
You will be awarded a certificate after this program — A level 3 certificate from OCN London and a WSET Level 2 qualification in wine, you should be confident enough to start a career in this course or you can decide to use the skills you have learned to bless your family’s taste buds every day.
Cookery School — Sustainable Learning has made sure that the classes are not crowded so that you will be able to get a personalized learning experience. The duration of this program is six weeks, during your learning period you will get conversant with the preparation of pasta, puddings, pastries, and pickles.
It is for everybody, whether you are a beginner or a professional chef who is interested in enhancing your cooking skills, what you will learn in this course includes;
- Salads, dressings, and vegetables Pastry
- Soups and stews Bread and sourdough making
- Roasts and Yorkshire pudding
- Cake, biscuits, macarons, scones, muffins and pancakes
- Pasta, risotto, and gnocchi Chocolate
- Tempering and shaping
- Indian, Middle Eastern
- Thai, and other cuisines Knife skills
- Savoury and sweet sauces
- Menu planning
Advanced Professional Chef Course
The Advanced Professional Chef Course is a 500-hour program where students are taught by qualified instructors who are passionate about teaching, they cover everything in the curriculum from the fundamentals to advanced techniques.
After completing the course, you may not delve into the whole chef aspect at the beginning, and you sometimes have to start as a dishwasher or something similar, this does not mean you can not go directly to becoming a chef, having hands-on experience will help you achieve your goal.
It is for everybody, whether you are a beginner or a professional chef who is interested in enhancing your cooking skills. The Chef Academy was founded in 2007 and since then they have been guiding students who have become chefs and food business managers.
Professional Cookery-Level 1
The Professional Cookery-Level 1 is a full-time course with a duration of one year, it is for people who are passionate about cooking and those who are interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry. You will acquire hands-on cooking skills in a well-equipped kitchen.
You will be introduced to core cooking principles, basic culinary techniques, and food safety standards — you can enroll for food safety courses online. As you progress you will learn how to use different cooking methods, you will gain practical skills on how to cook food.
Boiling, poaching, steaming, frying, baking roasting, and grilling techniques will all be explained and you will be opportune to get hands-on experience with each cooking method I mentioned above. You will also learn how to create dishes with delicate textures and lock in moisture in certain dishes.
Fermented Breads and Sour Doughs – Introduction
The Introduction to Fermented Breads and Sour Doughs is a flexible part-time course that takes place during the day, it has a duration of nine weeks and it is most suitable for adults. You will be introduced to the skills needed to make fermented bread and sourdough.
To enroll for this course you will have to undergo an initial assessment and interview to ensure the course suits your interests and goals, the course includes ongoing practical assessments, and after completion, you will receive a certificate from Capital City College.
Diploma in Gastronomy, Nutrition & Food Trends
This program is offered by Le Cordon Bleu, it is a three-month gastronomy program that will expose you to the core principles of nutrition and food science and their applications. You will not just learn how to cook, you will understand how to combine meals and spices nutritionally.
The duration of the Diploma in Gastronomy, Nutrition & Food Trends is 204 hours and the cost of the course is 8, 582 Euros, you have to be eligible to study in the UK and have evidence of English language, you should also be eighteen or above.
You will be exposed to culinary demonstrations and the practical application of different techniques, this course does not focus on teaching the fundamental hands-on culinary technique. It’s more about connecting culinary arts and nutrition with food trends.
Diploma in Plant-Based Culinary Arts Cuisine
This is one of the professional cooking courses in London that combines traditional and modern cooking techniques with plant-based ingredients. if you are interested in crafting excellent dishes strictly from plants then this program will hold your hands while you make use of your creative mind.
You will acquire knife skills and in-depth knowledge of how to prepare a wide range of vegetables from a variety of plant classifications, qualified chef instructors teach the students the best cooking methods which include practical operations.
In the Diploma in Plant-Based Culinary Arts Cuisine, you will master cooking skills that involve a wide range of techniques which include sautéing, cooking sous-vide, pressure cooking, grilling, and baking.
You will be taught topics like stocks, sauces, soups, preservation, fermentation, dehydration, preparation of tofu, and sprouting.
Applied Knife Techniques Cooking Class
Applied Knife Techniques Cooking Class is one of the best professional cooking courses in London, the cost of this course is 244,100 Naira. Acquiring knife skills is important in the culinary industry, you will be able to prepare meals that involve a lot of cutting efficiently.
If you have allergies or dietary restrictions you let the school management know, they have classes that can be adapted for dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free diets. This program will give you a practical understanding of how to use a knife correctly.
You will be taught practically how to safely and correctly handle knives — classic French cuts (julienne, brunoise, chiffonade), roast poussin with citrus pan sauce; herb and fennel salad; and crispy roast potato ‘gratin’.
You have to be eighteen to attend this class, if you are 16 or seventeen you should be accompanied by an adult to the class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about the professional cooking courses in London and also other details about these courses.
Do I Need Prior Experience to Enroll in a Professional Cooking Course?
No, many cooking schools in London offer beginner-friendly courses, while others have programs designed for experienced chefs looking to refine their skills. It’s important to check the entry requirements for each course before applying.
How Long Do Professional Cooking Courses in London Last?
Course durations vary depending on the type of program. Some intensive diploma courses last 6 months to 1 year, while advanced chef training can take up to 3 years. Short courses and workshops may range from a few days to several weeks
Conclusion
London’s professional cooking courses offer aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts the opportunity to refine their skills, gain industry-recognized certifications, and step into the dynamic world of gastronomy.
Whether you choose an intensive diploma, a specialized culinary workshop, or a short-term professional training program, the knowledge and experience gained from these courses can open doors to exciting career opportunities in restaurants, catering, food entrepreneurship, and beyond.
With access to world-class chefs, state-of-the-art kitchens, and a vibrant food scene, London provides the perfect environment to nurture your culinary ambitions.
The key to success lies in choosing a course that aligns with your goals, dedicating yourself to continuous learning, and embracing the challenges and creativity that come with the profession.
If you’re ready to turn your passion for cooking into a rewarding career, London’s diverse range of professional cooking courses is an excellent place to start.
