The Professional Chef Training Program in Dubai

"This  Diploma program is a real boot camp; it is equivalent to other one year culinary programs."

What makes ICCA Dubai one of the best schools for young chefs and how does it offer a guaranteed work placement? “There’s really no magic about it - it's merely the hard work the students undergo during the intense 3 month Diploma program that is 100% industry focused,” says Sunjeh Raja, Principal of ICCA Dubai.

About The Three- Month professional Diploma Program

1. The Diplomas in Cookery and Pâtisserie take 3 months each to complete. A student chef can choose to do either one or both the diplomas.
2. These 620 hour Diplomas are “Zero to Hero” programs. No prior experience or cookery knowledge is required to do either of the Diplomas. Students start with basic culinary techniques and progress to intermediate and advanced techniques by the end of the three month period.
3. The programs adhere to the International Vocational Qualification guidelines and standards, accredited by the City & Guilds, London, that ensure high quality skills and competency based education and training.
4. Each 620 hour Diploma runs intense 8 am to 5 pm days, 6 days a week (Friday is the weekly holiday), to simulate a real industry work environment. Student chefs finish in three months and can start work immediately, compared with the nine months to one year that equivalent part time culinary programs take elsewhere.
5. The student chef can study for 3 months, work for 3 years and become eligible for skilled emigration to countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The City & Guilds Diplomas awarded are recognized internationally.
6. The programs and certifications offered by ICCA Dubai are also recognised locally by the Knowledge & Human Development Authority (the educational quality assurance and regulatory authority of the Government of Dubai, U.A.E).
7. Minimum entry requirements are age 16 or above with a high school qualification (12 years).

Guaranteed Work Placement Through IWEP

1. Upon successful completion of the Diploma programs, we offer a 100% guaranteed paid work placement through the IWEP program for students aged 18-28 at the Commis level in the leading hotels and restaurants in Dubai.
2. The Industry Work Experience Placement Program (IWEP), which a student takes in addition to their Diploma, helps students seamlessly integrate, effectively deliver and excel in their work placement. The student chef is put through all aspects of employability training such as interview preparations, learning the importance of grooming and poise, and confidence building exercises which lead to technical knowledge reinforcement and a positive industry attitude.
3. The courses are based on Classical Continental (European) cuisine and popular Regional Specialities from around the world.
4. This course is a “Boot Camp”; It is structured and rigorous; the student chefs begin their day with opening tasks such as, receive and store goods, chiller tagging, etc., continue to have a morning session for three hours, followed by an afternoon session for three hours and end with closing tasks such clean and maintain kitchen premises, and cold and dry storage maintenance.
5. Apart from learning to cook, students clean up and wash up after every class. Through this, the student chef will learn all the systems and procedures used in real kitchens and will get a feel for life in a kitchen.
6. The program is absolutely ‘hands-on’ and the student chef will learn to make 6 dishes a day from scratch (from cutting the ingredients to plating the dish) with a partner. This is done to encourage the student chef to become confident in multi-tasking and preparing food in a kitchen.
7. We are not only committed to delivering a high quality education, but also committed to ensuring our student chefs develop well mentally and emotionally, and enjoy the course. We offer as much guidance and counseling a student chef needs to feel comfortable during their Diploma program.
8. Our award-winning culinary school has the most up to date industry standard machinery and equipment. The student chef will be well exposed and adept in using some of the most complex industry machinery by the end of the course.
9. When placed at the commis level, the student chef receives an entry level package that includes accommodation, food, transport, a ticket home once every two years, medical insurance, and AED 1,200 to AED 2,000 cash in hand. The total value of cash and benefits in the package is around USD 1,500. Salaries rise with experience as chefs progress through the kitchen hierarchy.
10. The school is located in Dubai which has a booming hospitality and tourism industry. Young chefs have the opportunity to work with ingredients, cuisines and chefs from around the world with several opportunities to progress in their career in the food industry here.
11. People from all around the world come to do the Diploma programs at ICCA, Dubai. The student chef will get to learn from and experience different cultures and will learn what each has to offer in terms of food.

Our Alumni and Industry Events

ICCA Dubai has been operating since 2005 and have a network of over 6,000 alumni, many working in the best restaurants in the world like Attica (Melbourne), Coya, Ossiano, Nobu, etc. Apart from becoming successful chefs, our graduates have also become successful restaurant owners, food stylists and photographers, food bloggers and more.

Team ICCA participates in events related to food in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which include the Taste of Dubai, the Taste of Abu Dhabi, Gulf Food, Gulf Host, the Dubai Airshow, the Dubai World Cup, World Skills Abu Dhabi, food related Guinness World Record attempts and helping at the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi on the Yas Marina circuit during the Formula One Abu Dhabi GP, apart from events that take place at ICCA, Dubai. The student chef may get to work alongside and learn from Michelin star chefs (like Giorgio Locatelli, Jun Tunaka, and Gary Rhodes) and celebrity chefs (like Jenny Morris, Annabel Karmel, Sanjeev Kapoor, and Eric Lanlard) during these events.

Professional Chef Course Fees at ICCA Dubai

ICCA Dubai's professional chef training is delivered through the Level 2 City and Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts, available in Cookery or in Baking and Patisserie. Here is what the fees cover and how they work for local and international students.

What the 3 Month Diploma Fees Cover

Each Level 2 Diploma has a tuition fee of AED 42,648, with an all in program fee of AED 47,448. That program fee covers your course materials, the online learning resource, the City and Guilds registration and examination fee, KHDA attestation, and one full set of uniform, and it is quoted excluding VAT. Student chefs who want the full professional foundation can take both the Cookery and Baking and Patisserie diplomas together through the ICCA Chef's Essentials package at AED 81,262 after discount. Because fees and intake dates are updated each year, confirm the current figures on our professional diploma programs page before you apply.

Fees for International Students

International students pay the same tuition for the Level 2 Diploma, and ICCA Dubai's student support team guides you through the admission and visa process from start to finish. Many students from India, ICCA's largest international audience, choose the full time 3 month intake so they can complete the diploma quickly and move into a paid work placement. Shared student accommodation is available near the Mall of the Emirates, roughly 20 minutes from campus by public transport, and students who live with family can choose a fee package without accommodation and food. For current international fees and the next available intake, contact our admissions team through the professional diploma programs page.

Community

‍Check out what our alumni have to say about us. While you’re there, take a virtual tour through our school.  See what’s happening at ICCA, Dubai through our social media – Facebook and Instagram.

‍Admissions and Intake Dates

‍New intakes for the full time diploma run through the year, and the later batches tend to fill up quickly, so early application is recommended. For the current intake calendar and to reserve a seat, see our professional diploma programs page or contact our student support team.

‍Our student support team will help you through every step of the admissions and visa processes. If you would like to sign up or get more information about the Diplomas, send us an email at enquiry@iccadubai.ae with the subject “Professional [Cookery / Patisserie / Both] – [Your name] – [Preferred in take dates]” and we’ll get back to you with the admission process/information requested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does culinary school cost at ICCA Dubai?

A: ICCA Dubai's professional chef training is priced as a 3 month Level 2 Diploma rather than a multi year degree, so you reach a working, employable level faster. The all in program fee is AED 47,448 per diploma, excluding VAT. You can see the full fee breakdown in the fees section above or on the professional diploma programs page.

Q: How do I become a chef in Dubai?

A: To become a chef in Dubai you need to be at least 16 with a high school qualification, then complete a professional culinary diploma. At ICCA Dubai you train through the 3 month City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma, and graduates aged 18 to 28 move into a 100 percent guaranteed paid work placement at the commis level through the IWEP program.

Q: How long is the professional chef course at ICCA Dubai?

A: The professional chef diploma is a 3 month full time program of 620 guided learning hours, run as intensive 8 am to 5 pm days, six days a week. A part time weekend option is also available for students who are working or studying. Both routes lead to the same City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma.

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