Culinary arts are becoming a popular career choice due to high demand for skilled chefs and bakers. According to recent data, the culinary industry workforce is projected to grow by 200,000 jobs, reaching 15.7 million employees by the end of 2025. The culinary and hospitality industry in Pakistan has grown quickly over the past few years, creating a high demand for professional training institutes that can equip students with modern cooking techniques, global hospitality standards and industry-relevant skills. Whether you dream of becoming a master chef, managing a luxury hotel or starting your own food venture, choosing the right institute is the first step.
Pakistan is now home to several top-notch culinary schools offering international certifications, hands-on training and global job placement opportunities. From long-established institutions like PITHM and COTHM to newer but equally impressive names like Skillston, SCAFA and COHMCA, our Tashheer team compiles a list of the Top 10 Best Leading Culinary Institutes in Pakistan.
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10 Best Hospitality & Culinary Training Institutes in Pakistan
Here is the list of Pakistan’s 10 Premier Culinary and Hospitality Schools, mentioned as:
COTHM
College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) was established in 2002 on MM Alam Road, Lahore by CEO Mr. Ahmad Shafiq. It is Pakistan’s first institution of its kind dedicated to give training and hospitality, culinary and tourism education. With a humble beginning of just 13 students, COTHM has grown into a vast network of 18+ campuses across the country and boasts a strong alumni base of over 50,000 professionals globally. Taking full advantage of its vibrant and diverse urban locations, COTHM delivers a world-class, multidimensional education that merges intellectual rigor with hands-on training.
This institute offers comprehensive programs in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Travel & Tourism and Passenger Ground Services, supported by international affiliations such as CTH UK, City & Guilds, ICSA and AHLEI. Its modern kitchens and practical labs ensure immersive learning experiences while global pathways and job placement support open doors in Europe, the Middle East, Canada and beyond.
| Website | cothm.edu.pk |
| Address | COTHM 185-Abu Bakar Block, Canal Rd, New Muslim Town Lahore |
| Phone | 0311 1113114 |
| Rating | 4.4 |
Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management
Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM), established in 1967 in Karachi under the Government of Sindh. It is one of the oldest and most reputable institutes for culinary arts, hotel management and tourism in Pakistan. It offers a wide range of affordable diplomas, certificates and short courses in culinary arts, professional baking, food & beverage service, front office operations, travel agency management and ticketing systems like Galileo and Sabre. With qualified instructors, modern training facilities including hot and cold kitchens, bakery labs, front desk setups and housekeeping labs, PITHM ensures practical hands-on experience.
This institute is affiliated with international bodies such as the UNWTO and AHLEI, allowing students to earn globally recognized certifications. PITHM maintains strong links with top hotels and travel agencies, providing students with internships and job opportunities both locally and abroad especially in Gulf countries.
| Website | pithm.edu.pk |
| Address | St-16-Block-4, Shahrah-e-Attar, Ibn-e-Qasim Park Rd, Karachi |
| Phone | (021) 99332084 |
| Rating | 4.4 |
Canadian College of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
COHMCA College with its main campus in Lahore, Pakistan, is a leading institution dedicated to delivering premium quality education in culinary arts, hospitality management and tourism. With a strong vision to develop globally competitive professionals, COHMCA operates under the motto “Learn, Earn and Grow.” This college offers internationally recognized programs including Culinary Arts, Baking & Patisserie, Hospitality Management and Language & Skills Development.
COHMCA is an approved teaching center of the Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (CTH), UK, offering globally accredited diplomas and certifications such as the Level 2 Award in Food Safety, Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Culinary Skills and Patisserie and the Level 4 Diploma in Hospitality Management.
| Google Rating | 4.4 |
| Website | cohmca.com.pk |
| Address | PL Floor Siddiq Trade Centre 72 Main Boulevard Gulberg II, Lahore |
| Phone | 0309-3332793 |
Superior University’s School of Culinary Arts
The School of Culinary Arts at Superior University is one of the top culinary schools in Lahore, helping Pakistani students become professional chefs and food experts. It offers a 4-year BS degree in Culinary Arts and Management, as well as diploma and short courses in cooking, baking, BBQ, and traditional Pakistani food. The school has modern kitchen labs and experienced chefs who teach students using hands-on methods. It focuses on creativity, sustainability, and preparing students for jobs in the food industry.
Students have won cooking competitions and get chances to work with big brands like Haleeb Foods and Cheezious. It is a college under the well-known Superior University, which was started in 2000. This School of Culinary Arts is helping shape the future of cooking in Pakistan and beyond with multiple campuses in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan and even in Dubai.
| Google Rating | 4.5 |
| Website | sca.superior.edu.pk |
| Address | 86MP+HPR University Park, Kot Araian, Lahore |
| Phone | 0327 4997621 |
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Skillston Institute of Hospitality
Skillston Institute of Hospitality is a well-known name in Pakistan’s hospitality and culinary industry, launched its first campus in Karachi in July, 2014. It offers a wide range of certificate and diploma courses in areas like culinary arts, baking, food production and restaurant management. With campuses in Lahore and Islamabad, Skillston helps students prepare for both local and international job markets. The institute has experienced and highly qualified chefs as teachers, who have worked in top hotels and restaurants around the world. They focus on practical training, skill development, and quality education. Skillston also supports students with internships, job placements, and guidance to start their own food businesses.
| Address | 3rd Floor, Block-B, Shafiq Plaza, Opp. Karachi Cantonment Board, Sarwar Shaheed Road, Near Arts Council, Saddar, Karachi |
| Google Rating | 4.6 |
| Website | skillston.edu.pk |
| Phone Number | 0213-5641361-3 |
SCAFA
SCAFA (School of Culinary and Finishing Arts) is a premier culinary institute in Pakistan that offers comprehensive training programs for aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts. Established in 2012, SCAFA provides a range of courses including professional diplomas like Pro Kitchen and Pro Pastry as well as amateur classes such as the Fundamentals Series. This institute emphasizes a modern approach to culinary arts, blending traditional techniques with innovative practices to prepare students for diverse kitchen environments. Notably, SCAFA has partnered with the Business & Hotel Management School (BHMS) in Switzerland, enabling students to pursue dual UK and Swiss BA degrees in Culinary Arts which include international internships and advanced placements.
| Address | L1C, DHA Phase-8 (Ex Air Avenue), Lahore, Pakistan |
| Google Rating | 4.8 |
| Website | scafa.pk |
| Phone Number | +92 42 35690478 |
Riphah Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts
The Riphah Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (RIHCA), part of Riphah International University in Islamabad, is dedicated to providing comprehensive training in hospitality and culinary arts. The institute offers courses that cover essential skills for a successful career in the hospitality industry including hotel management, culinary arts and tourism management. Students gain practical exposure in modern labs, which helps them understand the core operations of the hospitality industry at various levels. RIHCA’s curriculum is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to work globally whether in hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, airlines or cruise ships.
With its extensive network, including collaborations with the Turkish Tourism Hotel Managers Association, this academy strengthens its international reach and success. Led by Project Director Ali Can Aksu and Director Mian Athar Jameel, RIHCA is committed to excellence in hospitality education, making noteworthy contributions to the tourism and hospitality industries.
| Address | Street 41, 7th Avenue, G-7/4, Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Phone | 0322 5105566 |
| Rating | 5.0 |
| Website | riphah.edu.pk/hospitality-tourism-culinary-arts |
CHIP (Culinary & Hotel Institute of Pakistan)
The Culinary & Hotel Institute of Pakistan (CHIP) is a top institution that offers education in cooking and hotel management with its main campus in Lahore. CHIP offers a combination of technical and soft skills, aligning its programs with the expectations of the hospitality industry. In collaboration with leading awarding bodies, CHIP provides internationally recognized qualifications ranging from vocational to management levels, giving its graduates a competitive edge to work in the global hospitality industry.
This institute offers various programs including Kitchen Management, Advanced Food Production, Hotel Management and Diplomas in Tourism and Hotel Management. CHIP’s vision, led by Nadia Shahzad, is to empower youth by improving their skill sets, making them independent and capable of running their own businesses.
| Address | 33 A Abul Hasan Asphani Road, Block A Faisal Town, Lahore |
| Phone | 0308 4639306 |
| Google Rating | 4.5 |
| Website | chip.edu.pk |
Karachi Institute of Culinary Arts
The Karachi Institute of Culinary Arts (KICA) is a top cooking and hospitality training school in Karachi, founded by Mr. Zeeshan Ahmed and Ms. Fatima Ali. This institute was established in 2007 and provides international culinary training and certification programs. It offers different courses to help students learn cooking, baking, hotel management and food service. KICA is recognized by international and local organizations like the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), City & Guilds (UK), the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE) and NAVTTC.
Some popular programs include the Diploma in Food Preparation & Cooking (Patisserie), Certificate in Special Pakistani Cuisine and Diplomas in Hotel Management and Food & Beverage Service. This institute has modern kitchens and classrooms where students get both theory and hands-on training. KICA prepares students for careers in hotels, restaurants and the food industry.
| Address | 5-128, Main Liaquat Ali Khan Rd, Model Colony Malir, Karachi |
| Phone | (021) 34492409 |
| Google Rating | 4.2 |
| Website | kica.com.pk |
iVT Institute – Islamabad Vocational and Technical Institute
The Islamabad Vocational and Technical Institute (IVT Institute), established in 1997 and located in G-9 Markaz, Islamabad, is a NAVTTC-affiliated skills development center offering a wide range of vocational and technical training programs. Among its offerings, the institute provides culinary courses such as Cooking & Baking, which cover a range of cuisines including Chinese, Italian and Continental as well as sweet dishes, ice cream making and salads.
These courses are designed to equip students with practical skills in food preparation and presentation. While IVT Institute provides foundational culinary training but other institutes in Islamabad offer advanced programs. iVT Institute provides a Certificate in Culinary Arts focusing on various international cuisines and essential skills like food safety and hygiene.
| Address | IVT Institute, London Plaza, Markaz, G-9 Markaz G 9 Markaz G-9, Islamabad |
| Phone | 0300 5575707 |
| Google Rating | 4.8 |
| Website | ivtinstitute.com |
Courses Offered at Culinary Institutes
From mastering basic cooking techniques to exploring international cuisines and understanding the intricacies of food safety, culinary courses provide a comprehensive education. Plus, with the rise of food-based businesses, courses in culinary entrepreneurship are equipping students with the knowledge and tools to venture into the world of food startups. Whether you are passionate about cooking, baking, or launching your own food business, culinary institutes provide the foundation to turn your culinary dreams into reality. Here is the list of some courses that are the backbone of any culinary career, listed as:
1. Professional Chef Training
This foundational course is designed to equip students with the skills needed to become professional chefs. It typically covers basic cooking techniques, knife skills, kitchen management, food preparation, and the art of plating. Students learn about different cooking methods, food presentation, and the use of various kitchen tools and equipment. After completing this training, graduates are prepared to work in high-end restaurants, hotels and catering businesses.
2. Baking & Pastry Arts
This specialized course focuses on the art of baking and creating pastry-based goods such as breads, cakes, cookies and pastries. Students learn the science behind baking including how ingredients interact and how to achieve the perfect texture and taste. The curriculum also covers decoration techniques, chocolate work and advanced pastry preparation for events like weddings and fine dining.
3. International Cuisine
This course introduces students to a variety of cuisines from around the world, such as French, Italian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. Students learn authentic techniques and recipes from different cultures, gaining knowledge about the history and traditions of each cuisine. It also helps aspiring chefs broaden their culinary knowledge, making them versatile in the kitchen.
4. Food Safety & Hygiene
This course focuses on ensuring the safety of food and maintaining hygienic practices in the kitchen. It teaches students about proper food storage, sanitation practices and preventing foodborne illnesses. It is a critical course for anyone working in the food industry, as food safety is a top priority for both health and legal reasons. Students also learn about hygiene regulations and certifications required by food authorities.
5. Culinary Entrepreneurship
This course is designed for students who want to pursue a career in owning or managing their own food-related business such as a restaurant, catering service or bakery. It focuses on the business side of the culinary world, teaching students about budgeting, marketing, menu planning and customer service. Graduates of this course are equipped with the knowledge to start and run their own successful food ventures.
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Final Words
In 2025, culinary arts will be a great career choice because of the high demand for skilled chefs and bakers, the growth of culinary education, the rise of food tourism, advancements in technology and a focus on health and sustainability. There are also many opportunities for entrepreneurship, the influence of global cuisines and the changing roles of chefs. Plus, this career offers job satisfaction and stability. If you have a great passion for food and the desire for create culinary dishes, now is the perfect time to consider a career in culinary arts.
Pakistan is home to several honored culinary institutes that offer world-class education and training for aspiring chefs and culinary professionals. These institutes listed by Tashheer not only provide practical skills but also promote creativity and innovation, preparing students to succeed in this ever-evolving food industry. Whether you are passionate about mastering the art of baking, exploring global cuisines or pursuing a career in food management, these top culinary institutes in Pakistan offer excellent opportunities to turn your culinary dreams into reality. With the right training and dedication, you can get a successful and fulfilling career in this exciting world of culinary arts.
About the Author: Sana Noureen
