The Best Culinary Schools in Abu Dhabi: Professional Programmes and Cooking Classes

Abu Dhabi has steadily established itself as one of the Gulf’s strongest destinations for culinary education. The city is home to internationally accredited institutions and globally recognised hospitality academies as well as casual cooking studios. 

This guide covers some of the city’s best options across two pathways: professional programmes for those pursuing formal culinary education and cooking classes for home cooks and food enthusiasts. Discover details and programme fees for each option and choose the right school for your goal. 

• What to look for in a culinary school in Abu Dhabi
• Professional culinary schools and degree programmes in Abu Dhabi
• Cooking classes and workshops in Abu Dhabi
• Culinary schools in Abu Dhabi compared
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

What to look for in a culinary school in Abu Dhabi

Not every culinary school in the city serves the same purpose. A culinary arts school in Abu Dhabi offering internationally accredited diplomas is built for students who want a career in professional kitchens. Meanwhile, a cooking studio running weekend sessions is designed for people who love food and want to learn a new skill or are looking for new activities to do in Abu Dhabi. Knowing which category fits your goal will narrow your search.

Key factors to consider include the type of qualification, programme duration, cost, class size, and the level of practical kitchen experience built into the curriculum. For professionals, accreditation and industry recognition matter most. For learners looking for fun cooking classes, flexibility of scheduling, variety of topics, and accessibility are more important to consider.

Professional culinary schools and degree programmes in Abu Dhabi

Three institutions in Abu Dhabi offer structured culinary or hospitality programmes at a professional level. Each carries internationally recognised accreditations and attracts students who are building or advancing a career in food and hospitality. 

1. International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Abu Dhabi

One of Abu Dhabi’s most established culinary institutions, ICCA has been running professional kitchen training since 2005. Its City & Guilds UK-accredited programmes cover both cookery and patisserie, and it also offers shorter artisanal and amateur courses for those interested in cooking or baking outside a professional context.

The school’s professional pathway includes a Level 2 Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts and a Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts and Supervision. Fees for professional diplomas range from AED 45,648 to AED 47,448 per programme, with a three-month full-time format and a part-time option running over approximately 12 months.

• Phone: +971 2 694 89 99
• Location: Villa 10, Plaza 30, Sheikh Fatima Bint Mubarak Street, Abu Dhabi

2. École Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio

Opened in 2023 within the grounds of Qasr Al Hosn, École Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio is the UAE outpost of the globally recognised French culinary institution founded by chef Alain Ducasse. The school received the title of World’s Best Culinary Training Institution at the 2023 World Culinary Awards.

The 418 sq m facility houses two technical kitchens, a dedicated pastry laboratory, and a café. Professional courses run for eight weeks and cover either Culinary Arts Essentials or French Pastry Arts Essentials, blending classical French techniques with practical kitchen training. The studio also runs recreational experiences, children’s classes, and corporate team cooking events.

• Phone: +971 2 566 9885
• Location: Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi

3. Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy — Les Roches

Les Roches Abu Dhabi is the UAE campus of the Switzerland-founded global hospitality school, offering undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes at a purpose-built facility within Zayed Sports City. The campus includes a professional training kitchen, a pastry laboratory, a 30-seat demonstration kitchen, a barista lab, and a hotel reception training area.

Degree programmes include a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management, an MSc in International Hospitality Management, and an MSc in Sports Management and Events. 

• Phone: +971 50 452 0685
• Location: Zayed Sports City, W57 Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi

Cooking classes and workshops in Abu Dhabi

The city also offers shorter, recreational cooking experiences for home cooks and food enthusiasts. Options include baking programmes, themed masterclasses, family workshops, and corporate events. The right Abu Dhabi cooking class depends on what cuisine or technique you want to develop, and how much time and budget you are willing to commit.

1. Bakeology Culinary Academy

Bakeology is a combined cooking school and café based inside Al Wahda Mall, offering more than 200 individual sessions covering baking, patisserie, pastry decorating, and savoury cooking for adults and children. It is a popular choice for beginner learning, birthday celebrations, school workshops, and corporate team activities.

Single-session classes start from around AED 110 and cover a broad range of dishes, including matcha cheesecake, beef lasagna, chicken dumplings, and red velvet cupcakes. The academy also runs dedicated masterclasses, summer camps, and gluten-free cooking sessions.

• Phone: +971 2 555 9414
• Location: Unit E270, Second Floor, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi

2. Jones the Grocer

Jones the Grocer is a premium café and food hall brand with four Abu Dhabi locations, each hosting regular adult masterclasses and children’s cooking workshops. Sessions are led by in-house chefs and cater to all experience levels, with each participant working at their own individual cooking station.

Adult masterclasses run for two hours and are priced at AED 249 per person, inclusive of ingredients, apron, and refreshments. Children’s workshops last one hour and cost AED 149 per child. Topics rotate regularly and cover a range of cuisines and techniques.

The following are the four Abu Dhabi locations:

• Khalidiya: Pearl Plaza Tower, Ground Floor, Khalidiyah Street | +971 2 639 5883
• Al Muneera: Etihad Airways Centre, Ground Floor | +971 2 558 9808
• Al Mamoura: Building B, Ground Floor, 4th Muroor and 15th Street | +971 2 443 8762
• Al Raha: Garden Plaza | +971 2 557 4882

Culinary schools in Abu Dhabi compared

Key takeaways

• Abu Dhabi has culinary education options for every level, from internationally accredited professional diplomas and hospitality degrees to accessible recreational workshops starting from AED 110.
• ICCA Abu Dhabi and École Ducasse offer structured professional programmes with industry-recognised certifications; Les Roches provides full hospitality management degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Bakeology and Jones the Grocer are the most accessible options for recreational cooking, with short-format sessions, flexible scheduling, and no prior experience required.
• Choosing the right school starts with your goal. Are you looking for professional qualification, skill development, or a social cooking experience? The answer will determine the pricing, schedule, and curriculum you will be able to commit to.

Frequently Asked Questions

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