In Niagara College’s School of Culinary Arts you can:

  • create world-class entrées and desserts;
  • learn how to ensure a safe and healthy kitchen;
  • develop and improve foods, products and operations;
  • reduce food safety risks and ensure regulations are met; or
  • achieve the cooking skills required to work in restaurants, hotels and more.

Niagara College's School of Culinary Arts is located at the 125-acre Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Our campus sits in the heart of Niagara's agricultural, wine and culinary country, which features a burgeoning craft beer industry. Niagara College's School of Culinary Arts offers opportunities unprecedented in Canadian education, with exceptional student experiences via on-campus labs, and enterprises such our 40-acre vineyard, NC Teaching Brewery, NC Teaching Distillery, NC Teaching Spa, NC Teaching Greenhouse, hop yard and apiary.

Work-integrated learning is always on the menu. Students gain experience as they prepare food for retail, restaurant service, pop-up dining, banquets and catering. As the college hosts numerous highly anticipated ticketed events, and its world-renowned campus draws prominent visitors – from royalty to dignitaries to celebrities – students are at the heart of the action.

Culinary students also learn while making a difference through NC's integrated Feed the Community program.

Programs

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Baking and Pastry Arts

Female student in chef whites and hat pulling fresh baked loaf of bread out of oven.
Certificate 1 Year
Learn more about the Baking and Pastry Arts program

Baking and Pastry Arts Management

Male student in chef coat preparing food on a cutting board in the culinary lab.
Diploma 2 Years
Learn more about the Baking and Pastry Arts Management program

Cook Apprenticeship

Male student in chef whites dices yellow pepper in an active kitchen laboratory classroom
Apprenticeship 2 Terms
Learn more about the Cook Apprenticeship program

Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op)

Female student in kitchen reading a recipe from a book in front of her mise en place.
Advanced Diploma 3 Years
Learn more about the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op) program

Culinary Management (Co-op)

Teaching chef in chef whites showing multiple student chefs in chef whites how to plate a dish in a teaching kitchen.
Diploma 2 Years
Learn more about the Culinary Management (Co-op) program

Culinary Skills

Student serving up salad at the pass of a kitchen.
Certificate 1 Year
Learn more about the Culinary Skills program

Professional Butchery Techniques

Chef and student working together in butchery or culinary training setting
Certificate 1 Year
Learn more about the Professional Butchery Techniques program
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News

Broaden your palette: Register for a wine or beer course this winter

December 05, 2025

For those looking to build their palates during the new year, NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division has uncorked new learning opportunities, with registration now open for select for-credit courses to part-time students. Beginning Dec. 4, individuals can enroll in specialized courses previously reserved for full-time academic programs, offering a flexible path to formal […]

Brewmaster students pour passion and innovation into Project Brew

December 01, 2025

Something special is brewing at Niagara College this December. On Friday, Dec. 5, Project Brew will return to the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, offering the public a chance…

The post Brewmaster students pour passion and innovation into Project Brew appeared first on Niagara College.

A recipe for global connection: NC welcomes Turkish delegation

November 26, 2025

Representatives from the Turkish consulate got a taste of applied learning at NC’s School of Culinary Arts during a recent visit to the Daniel J. Patterson Campus. On Nov. 24, the College welcomed Can Yoldaş, Consul General of Türkiye in Toronto, Bulent Ucpunar, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in Toronto, and Nursul Atar, Vice […]

Niagara College honours 2025 Alumni of Excellence at on-campus dinner celebration

November 20, 2025

Niagara College proudly celebrated its 2025 Alumni of Excellence during a special dinner held on November 14 at NC’s Benchmark Restaurant. More than 40 guests attended the intimate evening, which welcomed honourees and members of the College community to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of this year’s recipients. As NC’s highest honour for graduates, the Alumni […]

Niagara College brings ‘Voices of Impact’ to Ottawa for first-ever showcase

November 20, 2025

Niagara College brought its spirit of innovation, alumni excellence, and community connection to the nation’s capital on November 6 for its inaugural Voices of Impact Showcase, held at the historic Sir John A. Macdonald Building. The showcase brought together a vibrant community of NC alumni and supporters to celebrate alumni accomplishments and connections across the […]

NC students get work-ready and world-ready on BWR Global Learning Experiences

November 17, 2025

During the fall 2025 break, Niagara College students participated in Be World Ready (BWR) Global Learning Experiences (GLE), engaging in life-changing opportunities abroad. As part of its commitment to preparing globally minded and world-ready graduates, BWR has designed itineraries that blend cultural connections and hands-on experiences. Through these unique opportunities, students applied classroom learning in international […]

NC stacks up support for community at market square

November 11, 2025

Community spirit was on the menu on November 3. NC staff and students gathered at the St. Catharines Market Square to support Gillian’s Place for its annual Wrapped in Courage Pancake Breakfast. The event aimed to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, as well as to promote the vital supports Gillian’s Place offers. […]

Meet NC’s finalists for Women in Business Awards

November 10, 2025

Three innovative leaders from Niagara College have been announced as finalists for the 2025 Women in Business Awards. Hosted by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, the awards recognize women who exemplify innovation, resilience, and excellence in their fields. The Women in Business Awards applaud outstanding women – and their businesses – and provide a […]

Homecoming awaits Chef Vish Mayekar with sold-out Benchmark event

November 07, 2025

Returning to Niagara College to headline a sold-out dinner event will be a “full circle moment” for Chef Vish Mayekar – a true testament to his journey from student to rising culinary star. The 33-year-old Culinary Management (Co-op) alumnus, now the Executive Chef and owner of Vancouver’s highly acclaimed ELEM restaurant, is taking his place […]

Students dish up end of term events

November 03, 2025

Whet your appetite: The School of Culinary Arts has a roster of not-to-be-missed events on the menu which serve as unique dining experiences for guests and unparalleled learning opportunities for students. Come sample the goods and get a taste of how NC students are bringing their A-game. Curry Pop-Up: Nov. 12-14 (noon), culinary lobby Celebrating […]

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