Bachelor of Culinary Arts

Studying food design provides you with the technical cooking skills, creative design tools and innovative business practices to become a market leader in the ever-evolving world of food. This programme will provide you with the hands-on experience to learn these skills and gain the competitive edge you need to kickstart your career.

About the programme

Got a passion for food and cooking, a curious mind and a desire to create unforgettable food experiences?

The only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere, this programme is designed to help you become an industry leader in the food world by empowering you to follow your passions.

You will cultivate applied technical and creative thinking skills, including specialised culinary techniques within your area of interest, and ways to develop new and innovative offerings to give yourself a competitive edge. 

Through hands-on projects with local employers and businesses, you will develop real-world skills and apply your creative and technical knowledge in everyday situations. Small class sizes guarantee you'll receive individual attention and guidance from our award-winning teaching staff.

What will I need to apply?

No prior culinary knowledge is required to enter this degree - all you need is a passion for food!

There are academic entry requirements to get into this programme (see the 'Entry' tab below), and you'll need to provide a CV and a 500-word letter.

However, if you don't meet these requirements or need help preparing your application, contact Chloe Humphreys for a chat via chloe.humphreys@op.ac.nz or +64 03 479 6089. 

Already working in the food industry? 

We offer a work-based distance programme for people with relevant industry experience.

Through our Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) process we can measure your existing knowledge and skills against the Bachelor of Culinary Arts graduate profile and give you academic credit towards this degree. Where there are gaps in your learning, we can design project work for you for you to complete your learning. While the degree normally takes 3 years to complete on campus, through APL and work integrated learning you can stay in work, continue to earn, and complete your degree faster.

Find out more.

YEAR ONE

Course Title

Level

Credit

Culinary Deliberate Practice

5

30

Contemporary Mahika Kai

5

30

Pūmanawa for the Sweet Kitchen

5

15

Sensory Design for Kai

5

15

Culinary Management and Leadership

5

15

Manaakitaka for Kai

5

15

TOTAL

 

120

YEAR TWO

Course Title

Level

Credit

Kai and Shared Value Creation

6

30

Kai Systems Design

6

15

Elective 1

6

15

Financial Forecasting and Analysis

6

15

Client Kai Project 1

6

15

Client Kai Project 2

6

30

TOTAL

 

120

YEAR THREE

Course Title

Level

Credit

Wayfinding for Professional Practice

7

15

Hauora within the Culinary Workplace

7

30

Elective 2

6

15

Major Kai Project

7

45

Culinary Framework of Practice

7

15

TOTAL

 

120

 

Health and Safety 

There are a number of Occupational Safety and Health issues associated with practical work in a commercial hospitality environment. These include but are not limited to, burns from hot liquids or hot objects and cuts from sharp instruments.

You will go through a health and safety induction process at the beginning of your studies to minimise risk to yourself and others within the kitchen environment. 

We are part of Te Pūkenga

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.