Melanie MoralesIf you’re looking for culinary schools in Edmonton, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we listed down our top picks for you to check out!
We made sure to do comprehensive reviews on each one so you make a better informed decision on which school is best for your needs and level.
How We Picked The Top Culinary Schools in Edmonton
We assessed them based on the following criteria:
1. Palates Culinary Kitchen and Learning Center
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://www.palates.ca/index.php |
| ADDRESS | 5546 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4K1, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-297-0690 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday-Sunday (1-5 PM) |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Palates makes learning how to cook become so accessible. They have a wide range of classes available for adults, teens, and kids.
For the adult classes, you’ll get to learn how to cook food from all over the world: Vietnam, France, Spain, Japan, Thailand, Italy, and the USA. It’s a great social and learning experience that we really enjoyed.
Aside from classes, they also have workshops that you can sign up for that are exciting. We noticed that these workshops can be quite pricey so that’s something to consider.
The instructors are all so friendly and the instructions aren’t hard to follow. They make sure to give extra help to those who aren’t as knowledgeable in the kitchen.
Their approach is very fun and energetic, so it’s really encouraging especially if you find cooking intimidating. It’s great if you want to have an introductory course.
We think this is great for those who aren’t really looking for formal training but want to attend different kinds of cooking classes.
Aside from the usual classes, you can also host events, field trips, and parties here.
We do wish the sign up process is easier. The website is outdated, making it difficult to look through their available services.
Pros
- Wide range of classes available for adults, teens, and kids
- Different cuisines to choose from
- Fun and energetic approach to classes
- Great for those not looking for formal training
Cons
- Outdated website
- Sign up process not intuitive
- Workshop prices a bit expensive
Student Reviews
Would definitely recommend any of her classes
Was a very refreshing experience! Owner/instructor, Pheap, was very welcoming and knowledgeable. She made sure to go through everything thoroughly and answered all the questions we had. Husband and wife duo made sure we all had a good time, even providing us with the recipes after! Would definitely recommend any of her classes. -Fiona Lee
It was so well organized
We booked a private class as a 30th birthday celebration at Palates and had an amazing time! It was so well organized and the food was absolutely fabulous. We left very full and with leftovers to take home! The staff were so kind and engaging. We will definitely be back! -K. Blackwell
2. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://www.nait.ca/nait/home |
| ADDRESS | 11762 106 St, Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-471-6248 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday-Friday (8 AM-5 PM) |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
If you’re looking to pursue a diploma in culinary arts, then Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) might be the school for you. Their program takes around 2 years to complete, given that you will be taking the typical full time course load.
We love that they provide practical and relevant hands-on training to students. They’ll even give you the chance to cook at Ernest’s, NAIT’s acclaimed fine dining restaurant.
You will also get the chance to learn from experienced chefs where you can see innovative cooking techniques and immerse yourself in diverse culinary trends.
Your classes will be a combination of on-campus and virtual classes. We like how they designed their classes to train students on how the industry works.
Their classes start early in the morning, just like with typical work hours in the culinary industry. Plus, you’ll get to learn measurement calculation, good communication skills, public health and safety standards, as well as cooking skills.
If you don’t plan on getting a diploma, open studies can also be an option. You can take credit courses without actually applying for the program.
We like how all the relevant information is found on the website and that everything can seamlessly be done online.
Do know that NAIT does not offer tuition deadline extensions at any cost so you have to make sure you pay everything on time. Should you fail to do so, you can be dropped from your classes.
This is a bit hard given that their tuition can be really high.
We also noticed that their hotlines can also be hard to reach given the large volume of calls they get, so that’s something to consider.
Aside from these, we think that NAIT offers a very respectable culinary arts program that’s worth checking out.
Pros
- Offers the full diploma course or open studies option
- Practical and hands-on training to prepare you for the culinary industry
- They hold programs where you can meet accomplished chefs and learn from them
- In-school fine dining restaurant where you can practice skills
- Combination of on-campus and virtual classes
Cons
- No tuition deadline extensions at any cost
- Hard to reach hotlines
- Expensive tuition
Student Reviews
NAIT’s stand on inclusiveness and diversity made me feel welcome and normal
I absolutely love this place. About a year ago, I was told by my doctor that I would never be able to go to school. And here I am now, getting excited every morning to take the bus there, achieving over 90% in all my courses! It’s all thanks to the amazing NAIT staff, really. They have been very helpful throughout the last year, and NAIT’s stand on inclusiveness and diversity made me feel welcome and normal. If I ever have a problem, there’s always someone to talk to, it’s really just a matter of looking out for all the resources. There are so many things to do for the students and programs to help the students that are not even used much, which is a shame – if you ever need help, don’t just give up, ask someone for help. There’s no shame in it and you’ll accomplish more than you ever thought you could. -Chris M.
Coming here as a student was a great decision for me
Excellent place to get an education that will help you get a job in your field. LRT helps make the commute easy, retail meat shop is outstanding. All the staff in my program were very professional, intelligent, and caring. Coming here as a student was a great decision for me, I wish I did it earlier! -B.C.
3. Get Cooking
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://getcooking.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 11050 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 2Y9, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-566-2106 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday-Sunday (11 AM- 7 PM) |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Another remarkable place to learn cooking is Get Cooking, a culinary studio in downtown Edmonton. They’re known for their engaging and interactive classes in different levels of difficulty – so it’s easy to find one apt for your skill level, schedule, and preference.
As for the different kinds of classes they offer, you are spoilt for choice. You can learn recipes from all over the world – Vietnamese, Italian, Chinese, American, etc.
They also have classes on basic cooking skills like knife techniques that can also be interesting to check out. We were pleasantly surprised that they even have a Sourdough Basics class.
In-person classes include a free meal and parking. Class sizes are small, providing a more focused and hands-on learning experience.
We love the fact that they have a strong online program aside from their in-person classes. We think it’s a great practice ground if you want to study culinary arts but can’t commit to it yet.
The chefs are all knowledgeable, warm, and friendly. It’s easy to follow the instructions they give and you can always ask them questions.
Classes run from 3 to 3.5 hours long, which is plenty of time for preparation.
The classes are relaxed, so even beginners can pick it up, based on our experience. They also offer corporate team-building programs that you can check out.
It’s so intuitive to sign up for classes and the schedules are always updated. You can do the whole booking process easily online.
Classes don’t have a set price, however. So make sure to check out the description and prices of the classes.
They can be quite expensive, so that’s something to take into account. We also wish that they had more information on their website, so it’s easier to see the details of the classes.
Pros
- Wide range of classes
- In-person and online classes available
- Relaxed pace of classes
- Intuitive booking experience
Cons
- Lacks info on website
- Expensive classes
Student Reviews
We had a blast
Our team participated in a class as a team building event and it was absolutely fantastic! Kathryn made us feel like we were all professional chefs! She created a wonderful Japanese menu, showed us a lot of tips and tricks, assisted everyone along the way, and the food we made was so delicious. Highly recommend any of her classes, we had a blast! -Orsi K.
The pace was fantastic and allowed people to be involved at their comfort level
We booked a private class for a teambuilding exercise. Kathryn was able to accommodate our dietary needs and create an exciting Japanese menu! The pace was fantastic and allowed people to be involved at their comfort level. The food was absolutely delicious and more than plentiful; we all had a to go container to take with us. Highly recommend for any work teams looking to do something different and fun that can accommodate all physicalities and abilities. -Shawna J.
4. YEG Cooking Classes
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://yegcookingclasses.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 10819 107 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 3B5, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-477-2789 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday-Sunday (11 AM-11 PM) |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
YEG Cooking Classes is also remarkable, based on our experience. We love the modern feel of the place and how friendly the chefs and staff are.
They offer both private and public classes. For the public classes, there are three types: general classes, date night classes, and master classes.
We think the general classes are good if you’re a beginner and not quite sure where to start. The programme is very intuitive and we love how accessible these classes are.
If you’re looking for a great date idea, taking a date night class together with your partner can be a great idea. It’s romantic, practical, and you can learn new things together.
If you have more experience in the kitchen, taking master classes can be very beneficial. You can learn how to make specialty dishes from scratch from renowned chefs.
For all these classes, you’ll also get a full meal out of it. You won’t just learn, you’ll also enjoy the fruits of your labor.
If you want to book a cooking class for your class, family, or group of friends, you can also opt for the private classes. They have different menus and themes.
Plus, they even offer an option for you to take a class virtually. They also hold food tours and artisanal series where you can learn how to make pasta.
One thing we noticed is that classes get sold out pretty quickly, so you have to book cooking classes in advance to ensure you get a slot. The booking process can also be easier, in our opinion.
The website tends to be a bit cluttered, which we think can be improved. It makes it hard to look through services.
Still, overall, we think they’re a great school for cooking classes suitable for a wide range of skill levels.
Pros
- Private and public classes available
- Wide range of classes
- Virtual private classes option available
- Friendly chefs and staff
Cons
- Cluttered website
- Booking process can be easier
- Classes get sold out quickly
Student Reviews
He made it light hearted and fun for us all
We recently attend the Gnocchi cooking class with another couple on March 20. Antonio was our chef, who did a great job explaining the details on how to do the cooking well and he made it light hearted and fun for us all. The Gnocchi’s were the best that I have had including considering other Italian restaurants. Thanks a lot Antonio and we will return. Sheldon and Trish PS. The carrot cheese cake was delicious! -Sheldon I.
I would recommend this
What a lot of fun!!! We had a very small class but the experience was #1.
I would recommend this to everyone! -Lori Wall
5. NorQuest College Edmonton Campus
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| WEBSITE | https://www.norquest.ca/home.aspx |
| ADDRESS | 10215 108 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1L6, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +1 780-644-6000 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday-Sunday (7 AM- 10 PM) |
| 1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 1.2 Operating Hours | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 2.1 Efficiency | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| 2.2 Years of experience | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| 3. PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| 4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
If you’re thinking of pursuing culinary arts and aspiring to work in the industry, then taking the Foundations of Cooking class at NorQuest College might be a good option. The whole course takes around eight weeks to finish.
Here you’ll get the opportunity to learn about kitchen safety, knife techniques, all the different elements involved in cooking from scratch like how to prepare hot food, cold food, desserts, and even indigenous food.
We think it’s a great crash course of the basic skills you need as professional cooks or chefs. We like how it combines both kitchen and classroom instruction.
You get to learn the theories in the classroom, which are important. At the same time, you get a significant amount of hands-on experience where you get to see the theories in action.
It’s a balanced and holistic learning experience, based on what we’ve seen.
The teachers are experienced and the school provides a safe and conducive environment to learn and grow. The course has no prerequisites – so you can take it right away.
We love how flexible NorQuest College is. They offer dual credit classes, open studies, and continuing education.
They accommodate different kinds of learners at different life stages, so it’s not intimidating to enroll here.
We do wish their website had more information and that they offered more programs and courses especially relating to culinary arts.
Pros
- Course combines kitchen and classroom training
- Takes only 8 weeks to finish
- Good introductory course
- Holistic learning experience
- Flexible programs for different needs
Cons
- Limited programs offered
- Limited info on website – not intuitive
Student Reviews
Amazing teachers
An amazing School with amazing teachers. I am currently doing upgrading here and I have no complaints. -Nathaniel B.
The teachers and staff have always been extremely helpful
Taking some upgrading courses here and the teachers and staff have always been extremely helpful and friendly. Yea, it takes a little time to see 1000 people who are having issues, but the issues I did have were fixed quickly and with no fuss after the fact. The student council is run very effectively. If you need anything from Norquest, they will find a way to help! Just ask for it! -Jerek L.
