Associate Degree in International Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management

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A Degree in International Culinary Arts, Fine Dining Experience & Restaurant Management

Earn an accredited two-year Associate Degree that combines Michelin-star-level culinary mastery and restaurant service excellence. Guided by world-class chefs and hospitality professionals, you’ll learn by doing, in state-of-the-art kitchens, restaurants, and labs on EHL’s Lausanne campus.

Student Culinary Program Gastronomy Degree 5

Is this Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Degree for You?

This program is for you if you’re passionate about gastronomy and want a hands-on culinary arts education. Master the art of cooking, guests and fine dining experience, explore new gastronomy cultures, and build the confidence to turn your passion into a profession, in hospitality or beyond.

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Program Highlights

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Diploma

Associate Degree in International Culinary Arts, Fine Dining Experience and Restaurant Management.

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Duration

2 years, including 1 professional internship in a partner restaurant, plus field trips in Switzerland and abroad.

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Accreditation

NECHE (USA)

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Internship

Benefit from a guaranteed 24-week internship placement through our dedicated network of top chefs and partner restaurants.

A Prestigious Path to the Top
of the Food & Beverage World

EHL Julien Boutonnet MOF Meilleur Ouvrier de France Pastry

Top Chefs

Learn from MOFs & World Champions in Michelin-starred setting and small cohorts.

International gastronomy

International

Explore culinary cultures with Top Chefs and field trips.

Food truck management

Entrepreneurial

Master gastronomy, guest experience and restaurant entrepreneurship.

1893 by EHL - restaurant pédagogique

Real World

Apply your skills in the real world with a guaranteed 24-week internship.

EHL Training Kitchen Lab for Culinary Arts

Hands-On

Train in Michelin-starred restaurant, demo kitchens, culinary and oenology labs.

EHL Culinary Arts Labs

Why Choose This EHL Culinary Arts Degree?

Because no other school unites international gastronomy, service excellence, entrepreneurship, and innovation the way we do.

At EHL School of Practical Arts, you’ll master the art of creating exceptional guest experiences, from the kitchen to the dining room, from concept to creation. You’ll gain not just skills, but vision, confidence, and the mindset to lead the future of hospitality.

Fast-Track Your Future in Culinary Arts Careers

4 semesters of experiential learning combing both practical and management courses, internship, special projects, specialisation courses, additional professional certifications and field trips to Switzerland, France, Italy and Japan.

 

2 semesters on EHL Lausanne Campus.

Practical Courses

  • Culinary Arts: master fundamentals: sauces, cuts, pastry basics, fine dining, savory pastry, boutique events, and sustainable cooking.
  • Culinary Science: understand cooking physics, food safety, sous-vide, and preservation.
  • Beverages: discover mixology, coffee craft, wine basics, and non-alcoholic infusions.
  • Service & Guest Experience: learn guest psychology, service techniques, scenography, signatures, and Michelin-level standards.

  • Creativity & Design: explore plating, table arts, seasonal setting, and design thinking.

Restaurant Management Courses Applied to Practice

  • Leadership & Self-Awareness: learn to communicate, present, and lead with confidence.
  • Entrepreneurship Basics: turn ideas into concepts with your first restaurant project.
  • Sales, Marketing & Communication: attract guests through branding, events, and social media.
  • HR for Restaurants: plan staffing, recruit effectively, and understand team dynamics.
  • Project Management: learn to plan, budget, and run a restaurant opening.
  • Industry Tools & Technology: use Excel, AI, and digital tools to boost efficiency and creativity.

Special Projects

  • Create & serve a lunch concept
  • Operate your own one-week restaurant
  • Masterclasses with world-class chefs
  • Visits to local producers and suppliers

Field Trips

Switzerland, France, Italy & Japan: meet producers, visit artisans, taste cultures.

Semester 3 — Professional Immersion in Internship

We place you for a 6 months internship in a selected prestigious restaurant from our exclusive international network of Top Chefs and restaurant owners.

Semester 4

Practical Courses

  • Advanced Culinary Techniques: healthy cuisine, culinary medicine, BBQ & wood-fire, luxury chocolate & confectionery, high-end catering.
  • Culinary Science & Innovation: AI for culinary research and nutrition, fermentation, food technologies, metabolic health, and innovation labs.
  • Beverages: oenology, mixology, coffee, tea (rituals, pairings, tea-tails).
  • Service Excellence: cultural etiquette, art of welcoming, and VIP protocol. Psychology applied to guest experience.

Restaurant Management Courses Applied to Practice

  • Advanced Entrepreneurship: develop, cost, brand, and pitch your next restaurant concept.
  • Advanced Marketing & Storytelling: food photography, videography, writing, branding, and storytelling.
  • Creativity & Visual Design: create Instagram-worthy dishes, plate artistry, and interior design.
  • HR & Training: train and lead teams.

Optional Professional Certifications

  • HACCP
  • WSET
  • Sous-vide cooking
  • Barista

Special Projects

  • Culinary Challenge & Charity Gala
  • Full F&B + space design for your graduation ceremony
  • Masterclasses with world-class chefs
  • Visits to local producers and suppliers
Electives

You will choose a serie of elective courses to personalize your curriculum.

Gain the skills and experience to grow into a wide range of international careers, such as:

  • Culinary entrepreneur, restaurant owner, innovation specialist, etc.
  • F&B manager, catering expert, sommelier, barista, mixologist, etc.
  • Sous-chef, head chef, private chef, etc.
  • F&B professional in health, or R&D sectors
EHL Student in Management Course

Options for further studies

Continue your journey with a 4-month post-program bootcamp giving you direct access to the EHL Bachelor in Hospitality Management. Reinforce your hospitality and business foundations from rooms, front office and housekeeping to economics, analytics, and finance, opening doors to careers across every sector of hospitality and beyond.

Discover the EHL Bachelor of Science

A Door Opener on Many Horizons

Gain the skills and experience to grow into a wide range of international careers.
EHL Lausanne Campus Switzerland

Study Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management in One Iconic Location

Study in the heart of Europe, surrounded by gastronomic hubs like France and Italy. Geneva’s international airport and train network connect you to Paris, Lyon, and Milan in just a few hours, making Lausanne the perfect base for a global culinary journey.

Discover our Campus in Lausanne

Immerse in Global Gastronomy & Culinary Cultures

Explore diverse culinary cultures worldwide with visiting international chefs and field trips abroad.

Explore the rich and unique culinary diversity from Graubünden region, a three language areas, where traditions and local ingredients are celebrated every day from farm-to-table to the highest culinary standards.

Field trip to Graubunden Switzerland - St Moritz

 

Discover Paris, France’s capital and legendary hub of gastronomy. Explore bustling markets, meet local artisans, and dive into a culinary culture where tradition, international influences, and top experiences come together in every dish.

Gastronomy Field Trip Lyon France Gastronomy Degree

 

Journey through Italy’s rich food heritage. From regional specialties to artisanal producers, experience the Mediterranean flavors, stories, and craftsmanship that make Italian cuisine a global reference for authenticity and passion.

Gastronomy Field Trip Italy Gastronomy Degree

 

After graduation , immerse yourself in Japan’s world-renowned culinary culture. Learn from masters of precision, seasonality, and balance while exploring one of the most innovative and influential gastronomic traditions in the world. *Additional fees.

Gastronomy Field Trip Japan Gastronomy Degree

 

Professional Certifications in Culinary Arts & Leadership

Take your learning further with a selection of professional certifications. From advanced culinary skills to leadership and operational readiness, these modules strengthen your expertise and help you stand out in the industry.

Differentiate yourself with the Barista certification, mastering the essentials of modern coffee culture. From espresso precision to latte art, you’ll learn how to craft high-quality drinks and bring a professional touch to any café, restaurant, or service environment.

Barista Certification Gastronomy Degree

 

Stand out with the HACCP certification, an essential qualification for anyone stepping into the world of gastronomy. You’ll learn how to manage food safety, prevent risks, and maintain professional standards.

HACCP Certification Gastronomy Degree

 

Explore the world of wine and spirits through the WSET | Wine & Spirit Education Trust certification. You’ll learn to taste, understand, and describe beverages like a professional, a valuable skill for any F&B or hospitality role.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust Certification Gastronomy Degree

 

Boost your culinary skills with the Sous-Vide Cooking certification. You’ll gain expertise in a technique used in Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide, helping you create consistent, high-quality dishes and stand out as a young professional.

Sous-vide_PO_Cuisine_2025-010

 

Meet our Top Chefs and Culinary Arts Experts

Download the Brochure

 

Fill in the form and get all details about the program.

Admissions & Fees

Program intake

February and September.
1st cohort: September 2027

Age

18 years (you must be 18 before the course start date).

Education

Secondary general education degree qualifying for higher education (Suisse Maturité or equivalent)

English requirements

Excellent written and verbal command of English is required. As proof, you are asked to submit one of the following international English certificates: 

  • IELTS with a minimum score of 6.0
  • TOEFL with a minimum score of 80 (iBT)
  • Cambridge Advanced Examination with a C minimum
  • First Certificate Examination with a score of A only
  • Duolingo score of 105

Alternatively, you can submit evidence that English was the main medium of instruction during your last three years of secondary/high school studies.

Applications Will Open Soon!

Be among the first to know when applications will open and get to know more about this program. 

Meet Arnaud

Do you need help or need more information about the Associate Degree program?

Book a meeting with Arnaud, your personal advisor.

Arnaud Jonquet - EHL
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Questions About The Program?

Culinary arts refers to the art and science of preparing, cooking, presenting, and serving food, not just as nourishment, but as a sensory and cultural experience. It encompasses choosing high-quality ingredients, mastering professional cooking techniques, thoughtful food presentation, and delivering memorable dining experiences, combining creativity, technique, and hospitality. 
A culinary arts degree is a professional qualification that combines hands-on culinary training with knowledge of service, guest experience, and restaurant operations. Beyond learning how to cook, students develop creativity, discipline, and practical skills to work in professional kitchens, manage restaurants, or build a career in the wider food and hospitality industry.
An Associate Degree is a recognized higher education qualification typically completed in two years. It provides practical, career-focused training combined with academic foundations, preparing graduates to enter the workforce or continue their studies toward a Bachelor’s degree, depending on the program and pathway.
An Associate Degree in Culinary Arts is a two-year, practice-based higher education program that combines professional cooking skills with knowledge of service, guest experience, and restaurant management. It prepares students to start a career in gastronomy, work in professional kitchens or restaurants, or continue their studies through advanced programs or Bachelor-level pathways.
This program is designed for ambitious students (typically 18–25 but older students are welcome) who are passionate about gastronomy and hospitality and want a hands-on, international, and premium education that combines culinary excellence, service, and business skills.
No prior professional experience is required. What matters most is your motivation, curiosity, discipline, and passion for gastronomy and hospitality.
No. While culinary excellence is central, the program also covers guest experience, service, entrepreneurship, management, and innovation, preparing you for a wide range of careers beyond the kitchen.
This is the only program that combines fine dining training at Michelin-star standards, service excellence, strong business and entrepreneurial skills, close mentorship, and international exposure, all backed by EHL’s global reputation.

The program also prepares you to open your own concept or move into leadership roles. As examples, graduates pursue careers in F&B as kitchen chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, F&B managers, entrepreneurs, baristas, sommeliers, mixologists, F&B consultants... or continue their studies beyond F&B with the bridge to the EHL Bachelor. 

Yes. You may apply for the Bridge to the EHL Bachelor in Hospitality Management, allowing you to expand from gastronomy and F&B into broader leadership and management careers.

You will complete a 6-month professional immersion in a world-class restaurant or at EHL’s Academia Restaurant, gaining real industry experience and building your professional network. Our exclusive network of Chefs and top experts worldwide will help you find the best internship.

Depending on your choices, you can obtain certifications such as HACCP, Sous-vide cooking, Barista, WSET, Trainer in Practical Arts, and the Diplôme de cafetier (Patente). They are optional additional valuable credentials for employability and entrepreneurship.

Yes. You will study in Lausanne, Switzerland, a central hub in Europe, with optional field trips to France, Italy, and Japan. You will also benefit from EHL’s global industry network and international career opportunities.

Your tuition covers Michelin-level training, world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, close mentorship, international exposure, and access to an exclusive industry network, delivering long-term value for your career.

You can apply online, download the brochure, or contact our admissions team to speak with a program advisor and discuss your profile and ambitions.

Gastronomy is the study and practice of food as a cultural, sensory, and social experience. It goes beyond cooking to explore how food is produced, prepared, served, and enjoyed, combining culinary technique, service, creativity, culture, and the way meals bring people together.