What is Culinary Arts?
The rise of popular television series like The Bear, Hell’s Kitchen, Midnight Diner, and MasterChef has gotten more students to be interested in the Culinary Arts field. There lives a budding dream in developing recipes, preparing, plating, and delivering food, tantalising tastebuds, and providing service for others to indulge in happily.
The question still begs, what exactly is Culinary Arts?
Well, Culinary Arts is a term encompassing all of the procedures and steps involved in serving food. Those with a career in the Culinary Arts field would typically consider taste, smell, appearance of food, and how it is perceived by the customer. They will deeply appreciate cooking as an art form by utilising meticulous techniques with diligent effort, and practical tools, to evoke the perfect culinary experience from multiple aspects and factors.
Pursuing Culinary Arts either academically or professionally will make you gain knowledge on all things regarding food, whether it is how ingredients or textures work with each other, hygiene, history, and even culture. If you enjoy food as well as you enjoy making them, Culinary Arts might be a suitable academic choice.
Keep on reading if you’re interested in Culinary Arts in Malaysia.
Specialisation in Culinary Arts
You might be wondering, isn’t the field of Culinary Arts quite extensive? Well you’re right. That makes up the reason for various optional specialisations which fall under Culinary Arts. Some of them (but not limited to) are:
- Baking
Do you enjoy the fragrant whiff of air when you walk past bakeries? A specialisation in baking might interest you. The baking specialisation or a baker emphasises on the techniques relating to baked goods such as bread, croissants, bagels, pies, and cakes.
- Patisserie
If you are more attentive to the intricacies of pastries and desserts, then maybe pursuing a patisserie specialisation or becoming a pastry chef might be more fascinating. A pastry chef or a patissier would typically work on pastries, mousse cakes, macarons, éclairs, tarts, petit gateaux, and desserts.
- Gastronomy
Gastronomy is a more scientific discipline of food and the Culinary field, reflecting culture, heritage, traditions, customs, and sense of community of different groups through food. You will be exposed to knowledge to improve sense stimulation; alter flavours chemically, and modify colourations in the appearance of dishes.
- Culinary Management
If you want to be involved in organisation and management of business or kitchen operations (If you’ve tuned to The Bear series, this would mean you enjoy Richie’s work better than Carmen), then Culinary Management is the choice for you. Essentially, a Culinary Management specialisation would equip you with theoretical and practical knowledge of culinary operations so you are prepared for owning a food business or climbing to managerial positions.
- Nutrition and Food Analysis
Nutrition and Food Analysis is a specialisation in the study of nutrients in food, how it is utilised in the body, as well as knowledge in the relationship between diet, health, and disease.
Eligibility to study Culinary Arts
Academic Entry
Academic Entry | Minimum Score |
SPM | 3Cs |
O-Levels | 3 Credits |
UEC | 3Bs |
Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!
English Language Entry Requirements
Entry Level | Minimum Score |
IELTS | Pass |
MUET | Pass |
TOEFL | Pass |
Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!
General Pathway of Culinary Arts
After completion of your SPM examinations, or any examination which are equivalent, you can continue with a Diploma in Culinary Arts which will enable you to pursue a career in the Culinary Arts field. However, you also have the option to pursue an Undergraduate Degree related to Culinary Arts after a pre-university course or a Diploma in Culinary Arts.
To gain more credentials or learn new techniques and cuisines through experience, those who want to pursue a career in Culinary Arts can stage (pronounced: /staj/), originating from the French word ‘stagiaire’, which is essentially an internship.
Culinary Arts Career Opportunity
Below are some career options for Culinary Arts:
- Professional Chef
- Caterer
- Sous Chef
- Pastry Chef
- Restaurateur
- Food Stylist
- Food Consultant
- Corporate Executive Chefs
- Culinary Research Technologists
- Food Quality & Services Managers
Universities to study Culinary Arts in Malaysia
1. Le Cordon Bleu Malaysia
Le Cordon Bleu transitioned to an internationally renowned Culinary Arts and hospitality institute from a Parisian cooking school back when it was founded in 1895. It has then been named the top Culinary Arts institute in Malaysia. Le Cordon Bleu is affiliated with 40 schools in 20 countries, with courses taught by Le Cordon Bleu Master Chefs, coming from Michelin-starred restaurants or are winners of prestigious competitions and titles such as Meilleur Ouvrier de France.
Le Cordon Bleu’s programmes, some included with industry attachments, are designed with a high benchmark of culinary education which are globally recognised, allowing you to pursue a career as a professional chef upon completion. Their programmes don’t necessitate prior culinary experience, but you should have a passion and dedication for culinary.
Programme Offered | Duration | Intake | Indicative Fees (2024) |
Diplôme de Cuisine | 1 Year | January, April, July, October | Local Students: RM 110,700 International Students: RM 118,980 |
Diplôme de Pâtisserie | 1 Year | January, April, July, October | Local Students: RM 107,100 International Students: RM 113,680 |
Diplôme de Boulangerie | 1 Year | October | Local Students: RM 64,000 International Students: RM 70,580 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
2. Taylor's University
Taylor’s University is a prestigious university known throughout the world for maintaining its top rankings repeatedly. It develops a diverse and well-rounded campus community with seasoned instructors, global collaborations, and a broad array of offered programmes through various initiatives, one of which is Taylor’sphere.
Taylor’s School of Food Studies and Gastronomy is dedicated to providing their students with progressive and innovative education which can keep up with the dynamic and rapid developments of the food industry. They are known as a leading provider of Culinary Arts education with potential international internship at renowned Michelin Star restaurants in France and other prestigious hotels.
Programme Offered | Duration | Intake | Indicative Fees (2023) |
Diploma in Culinary Arts | 2 Years | April, August | Local Students: RM 60,170 International Students: USD 17,322 |
Bachelor of Culinary Management (Honours) | 3 Years | February, April, September | Local Students: RM 112,046 International Students: USD 29,359 |
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Culinology | 3 Years | February, April, September | Local Students: RM 117,230 International Students: USD 30,511 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
3. INTI University & College
INTI International University and College, a well-known private higher education institution in Malaysia, provides its students with individualised education catered to their specific sector and field, including a Culinary Arts course in Malaysia. INTI is committed to ensuring that their graduates are competent leaders, innovators, and game changers of their own respective fields.
INTI is one of the recognised Culinary Arts colleges, which has multiple hospitality industry partners including Din Tai Fung, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, The Ritz Carlton, and Hilton Hotels. INTI promises a holistic learning experience with field trips and structured internships which will equip you with practical skills alongside professional and personal developments.
Programme Offered | Duration | Intake | Indicative Fees (2023) |
Diploma in Culinary Arts | 2 Years | January, April, August | Local Students: RM 46,588 – RM 47,396 International Students: RM 46,588 – RM 47,396 |
Bachelor of Food Service Management with Culinary Arts (Honours) 3+0 | 3 Years | January, May, September | Local Students: RM 84,977 International Students: RM 84,977 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
4. UCSI University
UCSI University is one of the best private higher education institutions in Malaysia. UCSI is driven by its leading-edge academia presences as well as its academic leadership, community involvements, and extensive partnerships. UCSI offers over 150 programmes including Culinary Arts courses and a culinary degree.
Offered under UCSI’s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, UCSI assures graduates with programmes that incorporate experiential, collaborative, and discovery learning through comprehensive curriculums. UCSI students will be thoroughly trained to set a high standard in preparing, serving, and plating food, enabling them to gain practical skills which prepares them when they step into the professional industry of culinary.
Programme Offered | Duration | Intake | Indicative Fees (2023) |
Diploma in Culinary Arts | 2.5 Years | January, May, September | Local Students: RM 46,095 International Students: RM 58,440 |
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Culinary Management | 3 Years | January, May, September | Local Students: RM 81,890 International Students: RM 96,450 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
5. University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia
University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia is an eminent worldwide higher education institution, offering students transformative opportunities through their globally acclaimed programmes and individualised modules. UOW Malaysia is one of the components of The University of Wollongong Australia global network with other global campuses located in Dubai and Hong Kong.
Culinary-related programmes offered at UOW Malaysia are structured to ensure their students are prepared for careers in the culinary industry. Their Bachelor of Arts in International Culinary Arts also grants you an opportunity for a Dual Award with IMI International Management Institute.
Programme Offered | Duration | Intake | Indicative Fees (2023) |
Diploma in Culinary Arts | 2 Years | January, March, May, July, September, October | Local Students: RM52,380 International Students: RM61,470 |
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Culinary Arts | 3 Years | January, March, May, July, September, October | Local Students: RM68,500 – RM82,000 International Students: RM80,680 – RM94,180 |
Bachelor of Culinary Management (Hons) Major options:
| 3 Years | January, March, May, July, September, October | Local Students: RM97,925 International Students: RM103,650 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
About Post Author
Hannah Hir
Hannah appreciates various art forms, especially Asian literature, film and music. Most of her favorite Malaysian kuihs are green-coloured.
