advanced professional program in italian culinary arts
“Master the art of culinary creation that combines passion, precision, and dedication, which open the door to global opportunities.”
The Advanced Level Chef course by CAST is a comprehensive and dynamic program crafted to equip aspiring chefs with essential skills, advanced techniques, and a deep understanding of modern culinary arts. Through this intensive program, you’ll gain hands-on experience from the very basics to high-level culinary artistry, preparing you for a career that blends skill, creativity, and sustainability.
Passion, precision, and purpose form the core values of this profession, requiring dedication, refined expertise, and above all, a love for culinary excellence.
The 2025 Edition: An Upgraded Pathway to Success, in response to the evolving culinary landscape, the 2025 edition of CAST’s flagship Advanced Level Chef course has been redesigned to include cutting-edge curriculum and esteemed new instructors/mentors. This updated approach provides a contemporary perspective on the chef’s role, aligning with industry trends and elevating your education and skill set.
Over 16 weeks of intensive training in CAST’s state-of-the-art labs, combined with a tailored internship for optimal job placement, you will build a foundation that goes beyond just cooking. You’ll gain the operational expertise and leadership qualities required to thrive as a chef and create your own path to success.
At CAST, we go beyond manual skills and technical knowledge. You’ll receive mentorship in entrepreneurial and managerial skills essential to your career, fostering resilience, strategic problem-solving, and a clear understanding of the industry’s future directions. From Italy to international opportunities, our extensive network with leading companies in the field ensures you’re well-prepared to excel in diverse culinary settings.
Join the CAST Advanced Level Chef course and become the driving force behind your personal and professional growth, ready to embrace the world of opportunities this profession has to offer.
“Craft Your Future, Embrace Your Potential, and Lead with Passion.”
🔉 The course is available in English through a seamless simultaneous translation service.
Duration:
- 16 weeks of hands-on training in the school’s state-of-the-art laboratories, followed by a tailored internship for optimal career placement.
- Concludes with comprehensive final exams
Attendance:
- Full-time classes, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Schedule may vary based on the weekly curriculum)
Teaching Method: Hands-on, practical approach
Endorsed by: Italian Federation of Chefs (FIC)
The Advanced Level Chef course is crafted to deliver exceptional results in a short time, focusing on a comprehensive mastery of culinary knowledge, hands-on skills, professional techniques, and effective work organization. Designed with the CAST Method, this program emphasizes a highly effective teaching approach to ensure you gain the practical and managerial expertise needed to thrive in the culinary world.
This program offers a broad and diverse curriculum, covering a wide range of topics to enable you to adapt to various work environments. As a student, you’ll have the continuous guidance of highly experienced instructors and the chance to work as part of a professional kitchen brigade, simulating the real-world atmosphere of a high-end restaurant or hospitality establishment. You’ll gain firsthand experience in planning, production, and service execution, preparing you for the demands and nuances of the industry.
A personalized internship at carefully selected facilities is an integral part of the course, allowing you to refine your skills and tailor your experience to your professional interests. With attentive tutoring and support, this invaluable hands-on experience sets the stage for a promising career and opens the door to excellent job placement opportunities.
- Develop the skills to navigate and adapt to diverse restaurant environments with confidence and independence, from à la carte dining and fine dining establishments to banquet services, catering, and large-scale food service operations.
- Master the selection and preparation of ingredients to create an extensive range of authentic Italian dishes.
- Embrace and implement health-conscious cooking techniques.
- Learn to craft numerous recipes using the latest innovative techniques and methods.
- Build a strong understanding of one’s role within a kitchen brigade, emphasizing responsibilities, task management, and team coordination.
- Strengthen technical abilities as a chef through hands-on practice and real-time service in the Central Teaching Kitchen.
- Deepen knowledge in key areas of culinary expertise, including food costing and the sustainable use of local ingredients.
- The Chef’s Role: Kitchen brigade dynamics, professional kitchen environments, essential equipment, and the ethics of a culinary professional.
- Classification of Ingredients: Understanding food categories, including vegetables, grains, meats, seafood, and more.
- Food Preparation Foundations: Techniques for initial processing, proper preservation, and storage.
- Hands-On Creation of Modern Italian Dishes.
- Bread and Pastry Making for Culinary Events and Catering.
- Simulated Culinary Events: Planning and executing a range of gastronomic events.
- Health-Conscious Cooking: Nutritional knowledge and healthy preparation and cooking methods.
- Kitchen Creativity: Developing textures, flavours, aesthetic presentation, and food design.
- Menu Planning and Execution: Essentials of food costing and pricing.
- Exploration of Culinary Trends: New formats and innovations in commercial catering.
- Sensory Analysis and Pairing: Food, beer, wine, and oil pairings with practical applications.
- Workplace Safety, Health, and Hygiene in the Culinary Profession.
- Daily Practice in Diverse Settings: Individual, pair, and brigade-style work in our academy’s kitchens.
- Utilizing and Showcasing Local Ingredients.
- Kitchen Roles and Leadership: Supervising activities and coordinating kitchen tasks.
- Principles of Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility.
- Orientation and Coaching: Sessions focused on self-awareness, skill development, and personal growth.
The personalized Internship is designed as a critical step, bridging advanced education with hands-on professional excellence. This internship provides a unique opportunity to refine practical skills and apply classroom knowledge in a real-world culinary environment, all while gaining insights into the industry’s business dynamics. It’s an invaluable experience that not only hones technical abilities but also serves as a springboard into the job market.
Duration: Tailored to each student’s goals and timeline.
Location: Nationwide, allowing placements in or near one’s city of residence or within nearby regions. All companies are carefully selected by CAST from among Italy’s most esteemed establishments.
Accommodation: Arrangements are managed at the host company’s discretion during the internship period.
Comprehensive Mentorship and Support
Throughout the internship, CAST Alimenti’s counselling Office provides comprehensive support, from managing placements to overseeing agreements and creating a Personalized Training Project. A dedicated team of tutors monitors each student’s progress, with additional guidance from a multidisciplinary team including educators, placement managers, professional coaches, and renowned head-hunters.
This collaborative support is tailored to match students with placements that align with their unique aspirations and career objectives.
A Carefully Curated Selection of Prestigious Partners
Our placement program connects students with leading companies in the hospitality and culinary sectors. CAST Alimenti maintains a growing network of exceptional host establishments, ensuring students have access to diverse, high-quality internship options.
This internship is more than a training opportunity; it’s a rigorous, transformative experience that sets the stage for a successful culinary career. Students will benefit from a supportive ecosystem focused on helping them realize their full professional and personal potential.
Note: The internship service is available upon meeting the criteria outlined in the contractual clauses (details provided at registration).
- AI Made in CAST – NEW 2024: Introducing a cutting-edge, multilingual AI powered by CAST’s expertise, designed to enhance skill acquisition and support student learning.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from top-tier professionals recognized across the Italian and international culinary landscape.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train in advanced classrooms and laboratories equipped with the latest technology and tools.
- Hands-On Learning: Move seamlessly from theory to practice with extensive individual and group work.
- Small Class Sizes: Benefit from a focused, high-quality teacher-student dynamic for a more personalized learning experience.
- Tailored Internship Opportunities: Enjoy customized internships to help you launch a successful career.
- Comprehensive Library: Access a specialized library of over 4,000 volumes dedicated to food and wine.
- Exclusive Access to the CAST Community on Hosco.com: Join an international recruiting platform tailored to the hospitality industry.
- Career Development Support: From foundational education to advanced specializations, CAST guides your personal and professional growth.
- Global Opportunities: Take part in international projects, gaining valuable training and career openings with prestigious companies worldwide.
The Advanced Level Chef course is designed for anyone passionate about developing or refining their culinary expertise, from those new to the kitchen to aspiring chefs seeking to elevate their skills. This course offers a unique blend of hands-on training and in-depth exploration of both the technical and managerial aspects of running a successful kitchen.
While prior experience in cooking or catering is beneficial, it is not mandatory—what matters most is a dedication to mastering the art and science of culinary excellence.
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Submission of a CV to info@castalimenti.it
- Participation in a cognitive interview, scheduled through the Admission Office
- Possession of a professional qualification, diploma, or degree
- Certificate validating skills and knowledge associated with the QRSP CHEF-COOK profile.
- Certificate of attendance, awarded with five stars to the most outstanding participants.
- HACCP certification.
- Workplace safety certificate issued by CAST as of April 2023, from the AiFOS Training Center (recognized as a trainer for organizing health and safety training courses in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 81/08 and its subsequent amendments, as well as the State-Regions agreements).
Price
€ 17.850,00
More informationDeposit
€ 4.270,00
The registration fee covers:
- Participation in all hands-on activities, theoretical lessons, demonstrations, educational exercises, handouts, and recipe books.
- A personal Professional Small tools Kit.
- Two professional jackets, one pair of trousers, two aprons and a water bottle, all featuring the CAST logo.
- Certification of completion.
- Lunch and coffee breaks throughout the course.
- Exclusive access to a dedicated online platform for CAST students, which includes a personal teaching kit and additional resources to support their training and professional development.
- Access to the AI Made in CAST – NEW 2024, an AI tool trained by CAST experts, available to students throughout the course duration, including both the 16 weeks in the classroom and the 16 weeks of internship.
- A 30% discount for one year on 1/ 2/ or 3 day in-person masterclass courses.
- A complimentary membership card to the FIC Italian Federation of Chefs, the course sponsor, valid for 12 months.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE
The registration fee does not cover:
- Accommodation and evening meals during the course.
- Accommodation and meals during the internship.
Space in a batch is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To complete your enrolment, please follow these steps:
- Visit Our Website: Start by registering on our official website.
- Complete the Online Registration Form: Fill out the required online registration form with your details.
- Submit Your Deposit: Make the indicated deposit payment via credit card or bank transfer.
The course will be activated once we reach the minimum number of participants. You can check the specific timing for each program by contacting the Course Secretariat.
For additional information, feel free to reach out to the CAST Course Secretariat at +39 030 2350076 or send an email to info@castalimenti.it. We’re here to assist you!
- Experience Our School Firsthand: Schedule a guided tour or join us for our Open Days to see what we have to offer!
- Engage with Our Expert Instructors: Discover the art of cooking and pastry through exclusive video tutorials, showcasing the incredible skills and techniques taught in our classrooms.
- Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy a 30% discount on masterclass courses for students enrolled in a Advanced Level program.
- International Pathway Program: Take advantage of our unique International Pathway, available exclusively to students in the Advanced Level Chef and Pastry Chef courses. This program provides opportunities to undertake Master’s activities in prestigious international establishments, with a strong potential for job placement upon completion.
- Advanced Training Opportunities: Upon finishing the Advanced Training course, you will have the option to enrol in the CAST Organizational Manager of Food Production (R.O.P.A.) fellowship program, further enhancing your qualifications and career prospects.
