Lagos, Nigeria's food and hospitality hub, hosts some of the finest culinary and catering schools for aspiring chefs, bakers, and event caterers. These institutions provide hands-on training in both local and international cuisines, baking, kitchen management, and food presentation. After graduation, you can work within or outside Nigeria. Below is a list of the top 10 culinary schools in Lagos, with their fees highlighted. These private institutes have been ranked in no particular order.
1. Crumbles Chef Academy - Lekki
Address: Lekki, Lagos. Call: +234 803 338 7883 | +234 805 323 8578. Email: info@crumbleschefacademy.com. Website: crumbleschefacademy.com. The Crumbles Chef Academy offers quality catering education taught by professional chef instructors. Fees breakdown: African Cooking Class (3 weeks) N300,000 + N10,000 registration; Continental Cooking Class (3 weeks) N380,000 + N10,000; Nigerian Pastry Class (2 weeks) N200,000 + N10,000; Culinary Arts Diploma - Cuisine + Cake Baking & Decorating (4 months) N1,150,000 + N150,000; Culinary Arts Diploma - Cuisine + Nigerian Pastry, Bread Making, Cake Baking & Decorating (5 months) N1,550,000 + N150,000; Cocktail, Mocktail & Smoothie (1 week) N150,000 + N10,000; Culinary Nutrition (1 month) N350,000 + N10,000; Small Chops & Light Bites Cooking (1 week) N120,000 + N10,000; Barbeque Class (1 class) N50,000; Seafood Class (1 class) N60,000; Cookery Class (1 class) N50,000; Baking Class (1 class) N50,000.
2. Tastebudz Culinary Academy - Ikeja
Address: Ikeja, Lagos. Call: +234 816 747 6771. Email: tastebudzng@gmail.com. Website: tastebudzng.com. Tastebudz Culinary Academy trains prospects to become professional chefs at a global standard. They offer accommodation: 3 months N300,000, 6 months N600,000, 1 year N80,000 per month. Fees: Culinary Science and Pastry Art (1 month) N450,000; Baking and Pastry Art (1 month) N350,000; African Culinary Art (1 & 2 months) N350,000 & N650,000; International Cuisine (5 weeks) N450,000; Advanced Professional Chef Diploma in Cuisine, Patisserie, and Restaurant Management (1 year) N2,800,000; Global Culinary Mastery and Event Management Course (8 Saturdays) N480,000; Cake Baking and Decoration (1 month) N350,000; Chef Diploma in Culinary and Patisserie (3 months) N850,000; Chef Diploma in Culinary and Patisserie Combination (6 months) N1,700,000; Dessert (6 weeks) N300,000; Professional Baking and Patisserie (3 months) N950,000; Saturday Cooking Classes - Certificate in Fundamental Culinary Arts (6 weeks) N350,000.
3. Pretty Dreams Catering School - Yaba
Address: Sabo-Yaba, Lagos. Call: +234 803 367 3330 | +234 708 491 2404. Emails: info@prettydreamsng.com | Prettydreamsng@gmail.com. Website: prettydreamsng.com. Pretty Dreams Catering School offers multiple courses. Contact the institute for fees. Courses: Diploma in Catering and Culinary Arts (6 months); Executive Chef/Events Catering (3 months); Professional Certificate In Cake Baking, Decorating, and Sugar Craft (12 weeks); Pastry Chef Diploma (French Pastry, Desserts, and Baking) (16 weeks); Party Desserts Course (8 days).
4. Mac's Culinary Institute - Alagbado and Ajah
Address: Alagbado and Ajah, Lagos. Call: +234 701 307 0801 | +234 703 513 1320. Email: mctoda1@gmail.com. Website: mci.sitesng.com. Mac's Culinary Institute is among the top catering schools in Ajah. Inquire about tuition fees. Courses offered since 2017: African Culinary Arts Diploma (6 weeks); Professional Chef Diploma in Patisserie (6 months); French, Italian Pastry, and Baking Diploma (6 weeks); Professional Chef Diploma, Cuisine, and Patisserie (12 months); Continental Culinary Arts Diploma (6 weeks); Cake Baking and Decoration Diploma (3 weeks); Professional Chef Diploma in Cuisine (6 months).
5. Wavecrest Hospitality College - Surulere
Address: Surulere, Lagos. Call: +234 909 685 6606 | +234 808 396 4840. Email: info@wavecrest.edu.ng. Website: wavecrest.edu.ng. Wavecrest Hospitality College offers certificates and diplomas recognised outside Nigeria. Courses: HND in Hospitality Management (2 years); ND in Hospitality Management (2 years); Certificate in Hospitality Operations (1 year).
6. Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School - Gbagada
Address: Fola Jinadu Crescent, Gbagada, Lagos. Call: Lagos - +234 909 222 2207 | Abuja - +234 909 222 2208. Email: lagos@reddishchronicles.com. Website: reddishchronicles.com. Fees include N10,000 registration fee. Courses: Continental Culinary Arts (3 weeks) N800,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N560,000 (Ibadan); Nigerian Culinary Arts (6 weeks) N550,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N385,000 (Ibadan); African Culinary Arts (6 weeks) N300,000; Dessert Culinary Arts (3 weeks) N500,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N350,000 (Ibadan); Artisan Bread/Boulangerie (3 weeks) N500,000; French Pastry & African Pastries (3 weeks) N500,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N560,000 (Ibadan); The Art of Mixology & Bar Management (4 weeks) N800,000; The Sommelier's Craft: Wine & Beverage Expertise (4 weeks) N850,000; Cake Baking/Decorations (3 weeks) N500,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N350,000 (Ibadan); Professional Chefs Diploma - Cuisine (3 months + 3 months internship) N2,000,000; Professional Chefs Diploma - Pâtisserie (3 months + 3 months internship) N2,500,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N1,750,000 (Ibadan); Prof. Chef's Diploma - Cuisine + Pâtisserie (6 months) N4,000,000; Prof. Chef's Diploma - Combination (1 year) N5,500,000; Restaurant Management & Operations (5 weeks) contact for pricing; Entrepreneurship Culinary Arts (4 weeks) N650,000 (Lagos/Abuja), N455,000 (Ibadan); The Business of Food Course (4 weeks) N600,000; Kids Summer Class (summer) contact for pricing; City & Guilds Certification (varies) €500; Food Photography & Styling (3 weeks) N700,000; Mastering Hospitality: The Ultimate Waitstaff Training (3 weeks) N700,000; Restaurant Management & Leadership Excellence (6 weeks) N1,000,000; Barista & Tea Sommelier Program (3 weeks) N750,000.
7. Giggles Culinary Place - Yaba
Address: Yaba, Lagos. Call: +234 705 775 0243. Email: gigglesculinaryplace@gmail.com. Website: gigglesculinaryplace.com. Giggles Culinary Place is a culinary school, restaurant, consulting firm, and fine dining spot. Fees: Pro Chef (Level I) 3 months N1,450,000; Pro Chef (Level II) 6 months N2,250,000; Pro Chef (Diploma) 13 months N3,450,000; Cuisine Art (Professional) 3 months N1,550,000; Pastry Art (Professional) 3 months N1,870,000; Entrepreneurship Program 6 Saturdays N980,000; Nigeria Cuisine Course 2 weeks N700,000; Canape Course 1 week N480,000; Mixology 2 weeks N550,000; Fusion Cuisine Course 6 weeks N1,150,000; Dessert Course 1 month N1,150,000; Refreshers program 6 weeks N1,650,000.
8. Sweet Pea Culinary School - Festac Town
Address: Festac Town, Lagos. Call: +234 803 695 4523 | +234 809 978 6854. Email: info@sweetpeaedibles.com.ng. Website: sweetpeaedibles.com.ng. Sweet Pea Edibles is a household name in Nigeria's fast-food industry. Courses: Cake Baking (2 weeks); Cake Designing (2 weeks); Sugar Craft (1 month); Small Chops (1 week); Pastries (1 week); Cocktail Drinks (1 week); Desserts_Grills (1 week); Special Treats (1 week); Bread (1 month); Africana Meals (3 weeks); Chinese & Continental Cuisine (2 weeks); Beginner's Cake Baking & Designing (4 weeks); Advanced Cake Baking & Designing (8 weeks); Combined Course for Beginners (8 weeks); Combined Course for Beginners (4 weeks); Combined Course for Beginners (4 weeks); Confectionery Course (4 weeks); Cooking Course (4 weeks); Grills & Cocktail Drinks (4 weeks); Chef Course (6 months).
9. Rosegabriel Institute - Surulere
Address: Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos. Call: +234 807 516 8134 | +234 809 682 3718 | +234 803 306 8282 | +234 802 055 5995. Email: info@rosegabriel.com | rosegabin@gmail.com. Website: rosegabriel.com. Specialises in Catering and Hotel Management, Fashion and Textile Design, Events planning. Courses in Catering and Hotel Management: Catering & Hotel Management Diploma (1 year); Certificate in Practical Cookery/Bakery & Confectionery + Hall Decorations (6 months); Certificate in Cake & Pastry + African & Continental Dishes (3 months); Certificate in Cake & Icings (1 month); Hall Decorations (1 month).
10. The Sense of Taste - Ikeja
Address: Ikeja, Lagos. Call: +234 802 832 6161 | +234 806 877 6127 | +234 705 555 7837. Email: classes@thesenseoftaste.com.ng | info@thesenseoftaste.com.ng. Website: thesenseoftaste.com.ng. Bespoke Private Home Classes available at N25,000 daily per person for a four-hour session (student provides ingredients and equipment). Fees: Finger Foods N40,000; Mocktails N20,000; Advanced Finger Foods N75,000; Cocktails N40,000; Baking and Pastry N150,000; Pizza and Shawarma N30,000; Chinese Cuisine N75,000; Desserts N100,000; Continental Cuisine N200,000.
Government Catering Schools in Lagos and Their Fees
The Lagos State Government provides free or highly subsidized catering training at vocational and technical institutions. Tuition is free, with nominal fees rarely exceeding N40,000 to N50,000. Key institutions include: Lagos State Vocational Training Centres (LASG) offering 6-9 month Catering and Hotel Management courses; National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) offering professional diplomas; and Local Government Vocational Institutes that periodically sponsor free programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a catering school in Lagos? Fees range from N20,000 to N3,000,000 depending on the program and institute.
How can you become a Chef in Lagos? Get culinary training and certification from an accredited institute, then apply for jobs like Line Cook, Sous Chef, or Personal Chef.
What are the qualifications for a chef? A culinary arts certificate, diploma, or degree, plus knowledge of culinary trends and kitchen hygiene.
What is the first thing to learn as a chef? Master knife skills, learn the Five Mother Sauces, and understand food safety.
How much are Chefs paid in Lagos? According to Glassdoor.com, Chefs earn between N75,000 and N498,000 per month, with an average of N200,000.
What is the name of the best chef in Nigeria? Notable chefs include Chef Fregz, Chef Stone, Chef Muse, Chef Eros, Chef Cupid, and Chef Alex Oke.
Which is the best catering school in Africa? Top schools include Institute of Culinary Arts (South Africa), HTA School of Culinary Arts (South Africa), Kenya Utalii College (Kenya), and Culinart Academy (Egypt).
