(+64) 027 534 4149 [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Fees & Costs

Course costs vary between programmes. A full schedule of fees is available with each specific course outline. You will have a choice to pay in full or alternatively there are easy monthly and weekly payment plans available, with a deposit that will be due upon registration.

Fees can be paid via bank transfer or through a secure payment gateway on our site.

All enrolments on the New Zealand Qualifications will be paid into the Public Trust Account. Details will be provided on registration.

If you have any questions about payments or fees please Contact Us

How Can I Pay?

Fees can be paid directly to us via bank transfer, Paypal or with your Visa or Master Card through a secure payment gateway on our site.

We accept Visa and Master Card payments from every county in the world. You will be billed in New Zealand Dollars in New Zealand, Australian Dollars in Australia and US dollars for the rest of the world (the reason for the different fees is to cover the additional bank fees for international payment received by us.)

Payment options and details will be provided to you in your invoice if you are enrolling in a professional programme.

If you are enrolling in a Junior Chef or Short Course programme, you will be able to proceed directly to checkout on our website.

If you have any questions about payments or fees please Contact Us .

Can I Complete my Course Earlier Than The Allowed Time?

We charge a monthly fee which varies per course and this can be paid in advance, until successful course completion. Our Chef Instructors are available to help you to complete the course in the allowed time. Should you fall behind, please do contact us for assistance on the best way to complete your studies.
You may complete short courses and junior chef courses ahead of the allowed time.

What If I Don't Complete My Course In The Allowed Time

We charge a monthly fee of $200 per month, paid in advance, until successful course completion. Our Student Support is available to help you to complete the course in the allowed time. Should you fall behind, please do contact us for assistance on the best way to fast track your studies.

Can I Do the Lessons In any Order I Like?
Our programs have been skillfully designed by some of the most experienced Chefs. To ensure that our students get complete benefit from each module and build their techniques correctly, it is essential to complete the lessons set out in the course in order.
Can I Skip Lessons?
No lessons in any module or program can be skipped. It is essential to complete every single lesson in the order they have been set out, before starting with the next lesson or module in the program.
Will my Qualification be Recognised in the Industry?

NZQA
These are New Zealand recognised qualifications which most New Zealand establishments regard as the industry standard in New Zealand. Internationally New Zealand has an excellent reputation for its qualifications and are well recognised globally.

Global Certification and Qualification
On completion of these courses students can apply for Worldchefs global hospitality certification. Worldchefs, teamed with City and Guilds and International Culinary Studio, matches experience gained on the job against a global benchmark for hospitality professionals, takes real life workplace skills and makes them visible, measurable and global.

The Short Courses, Junior Chef and Home School Courses successfully completed programmes will receive a Digital Badge and a Certificate of Achievement from International Culinary Studio.

Will my Qualification be Internationally Recognised?

All of our Professional Culinary Programmes at International Culinary Studio are internationally recognised by by Worldchefs and WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies) as the benchmark for Culinary professionals globally.

Will I Have Access to a Chef Instructor?
Yes, you will be introduced to your online Chef Instructor when you have been enrolled on the course.

You will be able to get in touch with your Chef Instructor using your Student Log in whenever you need assistance or information. Your Instructor will also check in on you on a regular basis.

Please do take your time zone into consideration in regards to communication times with your Chef Instructor.

Can I Do my Course on a Handheld Device?

Yes! For the short courses and junior chef programmes. You can download the Canvas App your Learner Management System -which is available at the Appstore or Google Play.

For the Professional Programmes we recommend you have access to a computer. The app will enable you to access the checkpoints, quizzes, your module outline and some of the videos. Please note that not all course material on the professional programmes can be accessed via the app on a handheld device, and you will need a computer to upload your videos onto the Learner Management System.

I am using a Macbook / Air laptop and I keep getting the message ‘your third party cookies is are disabled
Download Chrome and use Chrome and not Safari.
How Will I Gain Practical Experience by Doing an Online Course?

In your course material you will be guided through the practical aspects of the course and be expected to practice these in a reasonably well resourced kitchen.

You will be able to access live streaming, webinars and video clips of various cooking activities.

You will be guided through practical tasks by your study guides and online recipe videos, and will need to submit various forms of evidence to your International Culinary Studio Chef Instructor, who will assess your work and assist you wherever necessary.

Professional Programmes require you to work in the industry in a commercial kitchen with a Mentor Chef (who you will appoint) and your Industry Practicals will be logged in a logbook or work diary.

What are the Minimum Enrolment Requirements?

In order to successfully complete a Professional Qualification, you will need to:

  • Be 16 years of age, or older
  • Have successfully completed 10 years of schooling
  • Be a New Zealand Citizen or Resident for the NZQA Programmes Level 4 and 5
  • Be working in, or be able to work part time, for a minimum 120 hours in commercial kitchen.
  • Be able to read and communicate in English . You may use Google translate to change your course material into 104 different languages, however your assignments and final exams will need to be submitted in English
  • Have access to the internet, e-mail (with a valid e-mail address), a scanner, a printer and a digital photographic device
  • Have access to a reasonably well equipped kitchen
  • Be computer literate with the ability to upload and download documents and photographs / video clips
  • Be able to travel to your closest examination centre to write your final exam/s, if this option is considered

Short Course Requirements

  • Be 16 years of age, or older
  • Have access to the Internet
  • Have access to a reasonably wellequipped kitchen
  • Be computer literate with the ability to upload and download documents and photographs / video clips
  • Be able to read and communicate in English. You may use Google translate to change your course material into 104 different languages, however your assignments will need to be submitted in English.

Junior Chef Course Requirements

  • For ages 8 -16
  • Have access to the Internet
  • Have access to a reasonably well-equipped kitchen
  • Be computer literate, or have the assistance from someone who is computer literate with the ability to upload and download documents and photographs / video clips
  • Be able to read and communicate in English. You may use Google translate to change your course material into 104 different languages, however your assignments will need to be submitted in English

Home School Course Requirements

  • Be 13 years old and up to 19 years
  • Have a minimum of 8 years schooling to begin the first module
  • Be able to read and communicate in English. You may use Google translate to change your course material into 104 different languages, however your assignments will need to be submitted in English

Please note: Cancellations will not be considered due to not being able to understand the course content

Will I Have to Write Tests or Exams?

Professional Programmes:

Yes, you will be expected to submit formative assignments / tasks for both the theoretical and practical elements of your studies. These are in the form of checkpoints and quizzes also assignments and essay type questions which involve research and feedback.

You will also submit summative practical assignments / tasks (final exams), these will be completed in front of a mentor chef/assessor.

These are submitted at various stages during the course in order for your International Culinary Studio Chef Instructor to assess your comprehension and ability, and to guide you towards your final examinations, held at the examination centre nearest to you (For NZQA level 4 and 5 qualifications).

Short Courses, Junior Chef and Home School Programmes:

You will be expected to complete checkpoints and quizzes throughout your programme which are self-marking and you have 3 opportunities to better your score on most of them.

Where Do I Take my Exams?

Our NZQA level 4 and 5 examinations are commonly held in either Auckland or Christchurch whichever is closest to you. Travel and accommodation if required will be at student’s cost.

How Do I Submit my Assignments and Tasks?

All students have a unique profile on our Student Portal where they have access to their study material, assignments, the Chef Instructor and the Student Administrator.  It is via this system that assignments / tasks will be either done online, or downloaded, completed, uploaded for marking.

If you have any questions about how your assignments are submitted, Contact Us and we assist you with the information you need.

When Do I Receive my Study Material?

Your study material will be immediately available to you online once you have completed your induction with your chef instructor. registration process and your fees have been paid.

As you progress through a study unit, and reach the specified outcomes for that unit, the following unit will be made available for you.

If you have a question about fees, the registration period or anything about the study material, Contact Us and we will assist you with what you need to know.

What Ingredients Do I Have to Buy?
You will receive a full list of ingredients required for each practical assignment of your study units with your course material. So you will know exactly what you need in advance and can plan ahead.
What is the Kitchen Brigade?
The Kitchen Brigade aka the typical hierarchical structure in the kitchen is set out as follows:

Executive Head Chef is in charge of everything from the menu creation to staff management and quality control.  This is the highest level a Chef can achieve.

Sous Chef is the second in command to the Executive Head Chef and may be required to stand in for the Executive Head Chef from time to time.  The Sous Chef may be responsible for staff rosters and similar responsibilities.

Chef de Partie is in charge of a particular section of the kitchen/production such as grill, sauces or roast.

Commi Chef is immediately below the Chef de Partie and is the apprentice Chef of the kitchen/establishment.

Will I Be able to Have Contact with any Other Students at International Culinary Studio?

Yes, you will be part of an online forum via the student portal.  In addition, we try to make your learning experience as much fun as possible and have therefore introduced interactions on various Social Media platforms.

Can I get a Credit or Exemption for any Previous Qualifications?

Yes, this would be possible if the qualification forms part of the relevant NZQA qualification. This however, would be assessed on an individual basis upon registration using our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Process.

If you have any questions about previous qualifications, Contact Us and we will assist you with everything you need to know. You cannot however claim more than a certain % for RPL with us and this will be discussed on an individual basis.

What is a Formative and Summative Assessment?

Formative assessments are generally used to monitor a student and to provide the student with feedback that can assist him/her in achieving the final qualification, i.e. it forms part of the course programme and preparation for a final examination or assessment.

A Summative assessment is your final exam.

International Students?

International Students living outside of New Zealand:

As International Culinary Studio is an online culinary Programme, all students living outside of New Zealand are able to complete their programme in their home country.

International students can study our range of Global Certification and Qualifications, short courses, junior chef or home school course.

International Students currently living in New Zealand who do not have residency or citizenship.

International students living and working in New Zealand may study our short courses or if working in the culinary industry apply for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) of our NZQA level 4 Certificate in Cookery.

Is There A Free Trial To Experience Studying With International Culinary Studio?
Yes, we have a free trial programme which takes a about 20 minutes to complete. It can be found by signing up on the link below:

Free Trial

Can I complete the course in my home language?
You may use Google translate to change your course material into 104 different languages, however your assignments and final exam will need to be submitted in English, and you will need to communicate with your chef instructor in English.
Does International Culinary Studio offer and support students through emotional or mental health issues during study?
Yes, through our partnership with the Restaurant Association, students have access to an amazing network of health professionals during their course. Please contact us or refer to your student handbook for more information.
What is a Notional Hour?
Notional Hours refers to the average time taken to study a course. This refers to most student’s completion time of a programme. Thus when working this out for yourself you can take into account how fast or slow you usually take to study a course. The notional hours also refers to all the work involved in a course, so for example reading time and examination preparation time is included in the notional hours of a course.
How do you taste the food I cook?

Each student completes a flavor profile wheel where they get to judge their own dishes’ taste and give feedback to the chef instructor. Taste is subjective and thus everyone will taste dishes differently. It is more about following the recipe and getting a standard dish correct by following skills and techniques. The flavor will then be the same for each student.

What kitchen equipment will I need?
A well equipped home kitchen will suffice for the learning phase of the course. A commercial kitchen is required for the industry practicals which is where the practical element of the course will be truly experienced. A full equipment list is available on the website
What computer do I need be able to do the course?
A full list of technical requirements is on the website (Links can be included). A PC is best for all the course materials however a phone can be used to completed some of the course work.
How does the chef instructor correspond with me?
The instructors al correspond via the learning management system, regular catch ups and webinars as well as via telephone
How long does the course take?
Allow 36 weeks to complete the course at a comfortable pace with a 2 week holiday. We do allow up to 20 months to complete the full program
Do I need a full chef uniform and knives?
Yes you will be required to be in full chef uniform to video yourself in the kitchen when cooking so the instructor can give you feedback. Ideally invest in a good quality set of knives as these will help you achieve success.
How can I socialize with my peers on the course?
All students start in cohorts meaning you will get to meet your fellow students at induction and again during online webinars. We have a student only Facebook Group to support your learning too.
Can I pay the course fee off?
Yes we offer a payment plan to pay your course off over the duration of the program.
How do you taste the food I cook?
Each student completes a flavor profile wheel where they get to judge their own dishes’ taste and give feedback to the chef instructor. Taste is subjective and thus everyone will taste dishes differently. It is more about following the recipe and getting a standard dish correct by following skills and techniques. The flavor will then be the same for each student.
What kitchen equipment will I need?
A well equipped home kitchen will suffice for the learning phase of the course. A commercial kitchen is required for the industry practicals which is where the practical element of the course will be truly experienced. A full equipment list is available on the website
What computer do I need be able to do the course?
A full list of technical requirements is on the website (Links can be included). A PC is best for all the course materials however a phone can be used to completed some of the course work.
How does the chef instructor correspond with me?
The instructors al correspond via the learning management system, regular catch ups and webinars as well as via telephone
How long does the course take?
Allow 36 weeks to complete the course at a comfortable pace with a 2 week holiday. We do allow up to 20 months to complete the full program
Do I need a full chef uniform and knives?
Yes you will be required to be in full chef uniform to video yourself in the kitchen when cooking so the instructor can give you feedback. Ideally invest in a good quality set of knives as these will help you achieve success.
Can I pay the course fee off?
Yes we offer a payment plan to pay your course off over the duration of the program.
How can I socialize with my peers on the course?
All students start in cohorts meaning you will get to meet your fellow students at induction and again during online webinars. We have a student only Facebook Group to support your learning too.