There are several culinary schools in Spain that offer different levels of education for those who dream of a career in the culinary world.
In the larger schools, the educational levels are somewhat reminiscent of US schools, offering technical and higher education options.
When it comes to course structure, students in these classes (just like American culinary courses) will learn kitchen procedures, cooking techniques, pastry, food preparation, food storage, and business practices in the hospitality industry.
Spain, with its friendly and relaxed lifestyle, attracts thousands of foreign students every year to study in culinary schools. The weather is also great, allowing you to enjoy the warmth of the sun and relaxing beaches when you’re not at work.
Institutions of higher education charge relatively low tuition fees and compete with other renowned institutions around the world.
Are There Culinary Schools in Spain?
Spain offers several culinary programs and hospitality management schools for people who have life ambitions in the catering industry.
The state offers Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, and Food and Nutrition programs at public universities, colleges, and trade schools. Certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees are available to students.
Culinary arts programs are the most common and typically provide students with intensive exposure to the industry. Courses typically cover food handling techniques, nutrition and food science, cooking, kitchen management, food purchasing and internships to gain hands-on experience.
Culinary arts schools in Spain most commonly offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, while some offer a Bachelor of Science degree.
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How Much Do Culinary Schools Cost in Spain?
Nowadays, studying at culinary schools in Spain usually costs more than 20,000 euros. For most students, this is a high price that will force many students to use financial aid.
When looking at culinary school tuition, consider whether the dollar amount covers the entire degree program or just a portion of it.
In many cases, this is not the same as the annual tuition you would find at a four-year college. Instead, culinary school tuition usually includes the cost of the entire training program.
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What Are The Requirements For Culinary Schools In Spain?
Although you need to meet several requirements (such as a high school diploma) to be eligible to attend culinary school, this is not the only document that should be part of your application.
Let’s take a look at what culinary schools are looking for in their applicants –
- High school diploma
- Work experience in a professional kitchen (at least 1.5-2 years)
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- References from your mentors or teachers
- Some schools also have a series of assessment tests that you may have to take.
Some colleges also allow students to join the 2nd or 3rd year of the college directly. For this, you will need a higher degree than a high school diploma, as well as English language proficiency test results.
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What Are The Best Culinary Schools In Spain?
StPOL University College of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
One of the most famous and respected hotel management and culinary arts schools in Spain is the StPOL University College of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts.
Students can study for bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate degrees in English or Spanish. StPOL University is located in a fantastic location, close to Barcelona, on the coast with wonderful beaches.
The university works hard to expand career opportunities through relationships with the human resources departments of numerous hotels and restaurants and hands-on local and international internship programs.
It has its own hotel and restaurant, which are open to the public, and it is an ideal place to put the learned theory into practice.
CETT School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy
CETT is located in the north of Barcelona and is a branch of the world-renowned University of Barcelona.
The school has been operating for more than fifty years and during this time has established strong relationships with businesses and government organizations, from which the careers of students will greatly benefit.
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are available in the fields of tourism, hospitality, cooking and gastronomy.
Internships start from the very beginning, when all students get real practical experience and knowledge in well-known domestic and international hospitality enterprises, which significantly increases their professional profile.
Le Cordon Bleu Madrid
Le Cordon Bleu Madrid, located in the Spanish capital, Madrid, offers a wide range of short courses and certificates in the fields of cuisine, pastry, baking and a university degree in gastronomy. These courses can be taken in Spanish or English.
Le Cordon Bleu schools are located all over the world and most of the teachers come from Michelin-starred restaurants. The first culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu, was founded in Paris in 1895.
The Ferran Adrià Chair of the Camilo José Cela University in Madrid
UCJC Chair Ferran Adrià has a fully online degree program that offers professional courses in nutrition and cooking, as well as specialized courses in one field.
These specialized courses in gastronomy, designed for professionals, do not require prior qualifications and allow you to obtain a certificate from the Ferrand Adrià Department of Gastronomic Culture and Food Sciences.
Born To Cook
Born to Cook Culinary School is located in a unique and beautiful location, the former home of Christopher Columbus’s family, which dates back to the 16th century, in the heart of the Born district of Barcelona.
They develop a food concept from a global perspective, relying on local chefs from different countries who bring the best experience to work with the roots of different cuisines. Their cooking classes in Barcelona start from €95 per person.
Hands-on cooking lessons in the best of Spanish and Catalan cuisine through an insight into Mediterranean cuisine with hands-on experience provided by local chefs.
How Much Do Chefs In Spain Earn?
The salary of a chef in Spain ranges from 920 euros per month (minimum salary) to 2930 euros per month (maximum salary).
The average wage is €1,910 per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as chefs earn less than €1,910, while the other half earn more than €1,910.
The median corresponds to the average salary. In general, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group that earns more than the average salary.
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How Do I Become A Chef In Spain?
Earning a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in culinary arts is the best way to enter the world of fine dining. You will be able to maximize your cooking skills and knowledge, learn about the management and business aspects of running a restaurant, and get to know different cuisines from around the world!
In addition to work experience, your education plays a big role in how much you can earn. Many high-paying jobs require a high level of education, but how much can a degree increase your salary?
In our research, we compared the salaries of workers in the same job and career level with different education levels to see how much more you could earn at each education level.
The salary you can earn based on your education is highly dependent on both your location and the career you choose.
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What Are The Best Paying Culinary Arts Jobs in Spain
This is a field in which you can get a job in any Spanish city. Of course, it makes sense to consider the biggest tourist resorts, which are usually located on the coast, or some big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are also suitable for looking for a job as a cook or chef in the catering industry.
As a chef you will typically work six days a week, usually at least eight hours, if not more. It would be wise to find a job in a good location so that you can make the most of your day off.
Why not start your search on one of the Spanish islands? For example, the Canary Islands have a year-round climate and tourist season.
The busiest Canary Islands will be Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The Balearic Islands, which are much closer to the mainland, include Ibiza and Mallorca.
Best Culinary Schools In Spain FAQs
Le Cordon Bleu Madrid is the place to learn if you are committed to the classic French culinary tradition. The original Le Cordon Bleu in Paris sets the gold standard for comprehensive culinary education. The curriculum used in Madrid and other faculty campuses around the world follows the time-honored tradition established by the French school.
The Escuela Universitaria de Hosteleria y Turismo de Sant Pol in Barcelona focuses on hospitality management in its program offerings, but also provides a solid foundational education in catering management. The key areas of study are hospitality and public catering.
Spain’s educational landscape for culinary enthusiasts features a range of courses and workshops designed for leisurely learning. Exciting week-long programs often impart an understanding of Spanish language and cultural history along with hands-on cooking instruction.
For a shorter but equally educational program, the Escuela Bell Art (Bell School of Art) in Barcelona offers an 18-month professional chef program. The program consists of two nine-month courses covering culinary basics, creative cooking, Mediterranean cuisine and desserts. After this initial program, students can continue with a nine-month intensive course in baking, hospitality, appetizers and desserts. Bell Art also offers two-week continuing education or personal interest courses that are not part of any degree program.
Conclusion
Culinary schools in Spain provide a very well-rounded educational experience for students who want to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Whether you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree in the field or other forms of certification in any culinary discipline, there are community and technical colleges in West Virginia that will give you what you need.
References
gogoespana.com – Best Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Schools in Spain
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