Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland

Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland was founded in 1991 originally under the name Domino Carlton Tivoli International Hotel Management Career Centre. Its first campus was at Lucerne's Carlton-Tivoli Hotel building on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The school established relationships with Johnson & Wales University and Lynn University.

In 1996, Domino Carlton Tivoli International Hotel Management Career Centre became DCT International Hotel & Business Management School, when a group of original Swiss founders formed a partnership and took over from the school’s original investors. Under new leadership, DCT expanded its programs and courses and initiated new partnerships with Florida International University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

In 2003, DCT moved its campus from the Carlton-Tivoli Hotel building to the village of Vitznau on Lake Lucerne. In this new campus, DCT introduced the MBA in Hospitality Management program and the Master Gourmet Culinary Arts course, and expanded its relationship with Lynn University and its Switzerland program.

In 2011, Swiss Education Group acquired DCT University Center. DCT University Center was renamed to Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland. In 2012, the campus returned to central Lucerne where the school was originally founded. Its campuses are shared with another higher learning institution—César Ritz Colleges Switzerland—which is also part of Swiss Education Group. In 2017, the former Limelight cinema reopened as a culinary center including two new kitchens for pastry and chocolate, a tailor-made application and product development kitchen, and two training rooms.[5][6][7]

The school is situated across three campuses, shared with César Ritz Colleges Switzerland in Le Bouveret, Lucerne, and Brig, Switzerland. Students practice their skills in state-of-the-art kitchens and study across the different campuses.

Le Bouveret campus

The campus in Le Bouveret is home to the Apicius Culinary Training Center.[8] Le Bouveret campus also houses the Mosimann Collection—a collection of culinary memorabilia provided by Swiss Chef, Anton Mosimann OBE.[9][10]

Lucerne campus

The Lucerne campus is housed in the former Union Hotel, which was built in the 1900s and underwent major renovations in 2012. The campus consists of two main buildings – The Union and the Limelight building. Both buildings offer residency and academic activities.

Brig campus

The Brig campus is located in Brig-Glis – the largest German speaking town in the Valais region. It is split between two buildings in the center of town and equipped with modern facilities.

Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland offers bachelor's and master's degrees programs and specialized diploma programs in Culinary Arts, Vegetarian Culinary Arts, and Pastry & Chocolate Arts. Programs are accredited in partnership with the University of Derby (UK).

Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland’s curriculum is a blend of culinary arts education and business theory. Students learn from instructors who have worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and through masterclasses by industry experts.

The student body is made up of more than 64 nationalities. Classes are taught in English. Students gain work experience through multiple internships with industry partners.