I have always wanted to be a chef but never thought I could. I have ADHD, Aspergers and low self esteem and my mother said I would never amount to anything. I thought my dream job would remain just that, a dream.
I was encouraged to study by friends who thought International Culinary Studio’s approach would suit me. When I started the course, my life changed. The course is in easy steps, so you are doing one bit at a time making it less daunting. My chef instructor was brilliant, she always had time for me and had a great way of helping me not be overwhelmed by it all. The support was fantastic.
I could fit my course around my family, studying when the children were at school or in the evenings and weekends. It has changed my life, it has changed me, I have a new confidence in myself and my ability. I feel like I can do anything. I would highly recommend International Culinary Studio, this is helping people find their dream job, if I can do this anyone can!

I look forward to better job opportunities now I have my New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4. Online worked well for me as I still needed to work. Chef Helen was only a phone call away if I was finding things hard ,and the whole team was helpful and friendly.

I would recommend International Culinary Studio to people who are currently working in hospitality and would like to gain a qualification. I genuinely feel like I have learnt a lot. The practical exam was a really exciting experience and I am proud of how I did.

I chose to study with International Culinary Studio because it was online and the flexibility would fit around my lifestyle. I received awesome support and found it easy to manage the workload and it was only at peak time during work this was at all difficult. The learner management system was easy once I was familiar with it. Problems were always resolved fast and effectively. I enjoyed the zoom meetings I was able to attend and my Chef Instructor was very supportive, helpful and reassuring. I would recommend International Culinary Studio as I think my qualification will now give me the freedom to go for the job I’d like to have and actually get it! It has given me so much more confidence in my ability.

This was a great way for me to study online as it enabled me to study and work at the same time. I Chef Helen does a great job, I could text or call and she would answer any questions I had. I look forward to using this knowledge and skill to train other staff members and create food on a higher level.  I would definitely recommend International Culinary Studio and look forward to completing Level 5.

After completing the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4 through RPL I now look forward to studying the level 5. Although it was a challenge to get my application done while working long hours,  my chef assessor communicated well with me and the instructions were easy to follow. I would absolutely recommend International Culinary Studio.

I chose International Culinary Studio for my RPL just because the staff and chefs are very helpful. I was guided in such a good way on how to go ahead with my RPL level 4 certificate. The staff replied to all my questions whenever I needed them and my Chef assessor was really nice, easy going and got back to me quickly. The opportunity to revise material really helped me prepare for my final exam. It was difficult finding the time to prepare my application as I was working between 40-70 hours a week cooking and used my precious spare time to do this, but having this qualification will help me progress in my workplace. I would definitely recommend International Culinary Studio to my friends and would study with them myself again.

I liked the idea of RPL with International Culinary Studio as the process could be done quickly and efficiently and doing it all online saved me a lot of time. My chef assessor gave me good guidance and I am sure having this qualification will help my career growth.

I wanted to have my culinary experience recognised so applied to get the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4 through RPL. I did not have time to study the course but was able to make my application and fit in my exams around my work with a bit of organisation. Chef Helen gave me feedback throughout the process and answered any questions I had. I am proud to be a chef.

I would recommend International Culinary Studio as it is a good place to learn and share some experiences. Chef Helen was great and gave me all the support I needed.

I would recommend International Culinary Studio for the RPL of New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4. I thought the Chef Assessor great and the process easy to follow.

I currently own a Food Truck called Peg and Pickle and have just completed one of the International Culinary Studio courses. For me starting my own business, I have found the course to be very beneficial especially the food costing, skills and techniques. I would be motivated to employ a student as I know they will have the necessary background knowledge and great culinary skills.

I have found the student to be incredibly motivated, courteous and mature. She has brought a range of new skills and recipes and she has gained a real understanding of the industry. The industry placement is longer than other institutions and I think the extended industry placement is an asset to the course and to prospective employers alike.

A tertiary educator myself, I applaud the ICS for their forward thinking approach to the provision of culinary qualifications, and their incredible care and support for their learners. ICS has very sensibly recognised that it is neither possible, nor necessary, for all learners to be physically present in a traditional classroom in order to learn and gain a qualification.
My 22 year old daughter has taken a qualification with ICS. Both she, and I, have been most impressed by the flexibility of the blended/online approach and the opportunities provided for recognition of prior learning. This model is sensible, accessible, flexible, affordable and practical. Moreover, the teachers are highly qualified and the care and support for learners as individuals is second to none, in our experience. My daughter simply would not have been able to complete this qualification through a traditional delivery mode, or without your care, encouragement and support. Thank you ICS team! You are awesome!!
Congratulations on pushing boundaries in education and being the only provider of highly blended/online culinary qualifications in NZ to be recognised by the World Chef Association. Very well done to you!
Best regards
Maura Kempin

We have had several chefs enrol with International Culinary Studio to complete their chef training. We have found them to be experts in their field – the learning materials and approach is exceptional. The main benefit for hospitality employees training is being able to continue working whilst they study. They are also motivated, inspired and sharing their knowledge with other team members whilst training and beyond. These qualities provide and ongoing benefit to the team and business.

When looking at RPL of New Zealand Certificate in Cookery I chose International Culinary Studio as they had a good reputation in the market. I have found this to be true and have had a really great experience with them. The Chef Assessor working through my RPL evidence was awesome, she was so helpful along the way. They made it easy for me to get through the process while still working and kept me up to date with where we were in the process. I have recommended International Culinary Studio to my colleagues as I know this qualification will help me achieve my goals in the future. Thanks again, an awesome team!

I chose to do the New Zealand Certificate in cookery Level 4 through RPL with International Culinary Studio as I have good English and wasn’t required to do an English test. I found the process to be very efficient and it was simple enough to get all my evidence together and submitted while still working. My Chef Assessor was very helpful and gave me all the information I needed to get the process completed as soon as possible. My new qualification will make it much easier when I am job hunting. I am keen to now study the New Zealand Diploma in Professional Cookery Level 5 as it will be helpful taking the next step with my business in the future. I would recommend the International Culinary Studio for anyone looking to RPL.

I have recently completed the RPL process for the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery Level 4. I found the process clear and easy to follow. Although it was a little hard fitting the process around my family and work, I could do this at any time and found my Chef Assessor helpful. I would recommend International Culinary Studio, as having this qualification will be very useful for me .

I had a Diploma in Commercial Cookery and 15 years culinary experience and wanted a New Zealand recognised qualification. The RPL process with International Culinary Studio was fantastic. The Learner management system gave me a great refresher for my exam and the process was clear, easy and the staff were helpful. It was great to get the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery, I felt it was a great achievement in a short time!

Working fulltime as head chef for a Pizza restaurant I was keen to study the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery level 4. I liked that International Culinary Studio was a blended learning course as it gave me the chance to study while I was still working. This was such a good decision, I found my experience awesome! Chef Helen was always there to answer my questions. The learner management system was fun to use and the practical assignments challenging but were assessed fairly.
It could sometimes be difficult fitting my study around my work, but I would do this at any time of the day or night. The course has broadened my culinary knowledge giving me the skills I will need going forward should I decide to build my own place or want to progress further.