• Culinary arts students learn technical skills to prepare them for a job as a cook or chef.cook work image by Alexander Zhiltsov from Fotolia.com
  
  New Zealand offers several culinary arts programs throughout the country. Students in these program graduate with a certificate that attests to their professional cooking skills. Many culinary arts graduates go on to work in restaurants, hotel kitchens or catering businesses.
  
  

Tai Poutini Polytechnic

• Located on the northwest coast of New Zealand in Greymouth, Tai Poutini Polytechnic offers a certificate program in professional culinary arts. This course covers a wide range of cooking styles, techniques and cuisines. The 34-week program is intended for students who plan to study full-time. To apply for the program, applicants must have passed National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level Two Math and English or equivalent coursework. As of April 2010, over 90 percent of graduates found industry positions or moved on to advanced training. A 26-week certificate program for advanced professional culinary arts is available for graduates of the initial certificate program or a similar course of study.
  
  Tai Poutini Polytechnic
  Private Bag 607
  Greymouth, NZ
  +64 3 769 9400
  tppweb.ac.nz
  
  

New Zealand School of Food and Wine

• New Zealand School of Food and Wine is located in the coastal city of Christchurch. This school offers a certificate program in cookery. Full-time students in the program complete 16 weeks of courses focusing on French cuisine. Butchery, baking and menu planning are just a few of the areas of focus in this culinary arts program. The school also places an emphasis on pairing wines with appropriate foods. Students must also complete four nights of on-the-job experience in the on-site restaurant. Prior cooking experience is recommended for applicants.
  
  New Zealand School of Food and Wine
  63 Victoria St.
  Christchurch, NZ
  +64 3 379 7501
  foodandwine.co.nz
  
  

Wellington Institute of Technology

• Located in Lower Hutt just outside the city, the Wellington Institute of Technology's certificate in food preparation and culinary arts covers a wide range of international cuisine. Students attend class full-time for 42 weeks to complete the program. Work placements and on-site training provide plenty of hands-on experience in areas of pastry techniques, food art and Asian cooking. Students also learn about nutrition, first aid and food safety. The program requires students to complete at least eight literacy and eight numeracy NCEA Level One credits or their equivalent before applying.
  
  Wellington Institute of Technology
  Private Bag 39803
  Lower Hutt, NZ
  +64 4 9202 401
  weltec.ac.nz