ABOUT ‘ICSA’

The need for a regulatory body for UK cookery schools goes back a few years before the birth of the ‘Independent Cookery Schools Association’. The idea began simply as a conversation between industry leaders nearly a decade ago. A few years later, ‘ICSA’ was formed.

Objective: Encourage and champion ‘Consistency and Excellence in Cookery Skills and Training’.

We continue to grow our ICSA Accredited cookery school membership UK wide, and collectively focus on our core values.

  • Sustainability
  • Seasonality
  • Sourcing Regionally
  • Supporting British Producers, Suppliers & high standards of animal welfare.
    Focusing on applying nutrition and healthy eating at all levels.
  • Single use plastic-free kitchens.
    Our mission to teach and aspire students and manufacturers to switch to eco-friendly products, available to commercial and domestic kitchens.

Look for the ICSA ‘Certification Logo’ as an assurance of teaching standards and ethics.

Stella West Harling MBE. 
ICSA
Joint Founder & President

Introduction to ICSA

The Independent Cookery Schools Association (ICSA) was founded in 2014 by a collection of leading UK cookery schools founders to create the first independent accreditation body dedicated specifically to advancing cookery education.

At the time, the sector had no recognised framework for assessing standards in teaching, facilities and student experience. The founders — including respected schools founders such as Prue Leith DBE, Leiths School of Food & Wine, Stella West-Harling MBE, Ashburton Cookery School, Richard Betient of The Bertinet Kitchen and Raymond Blanc OBE of Raymond Blanc Cookery School — came together to establish a professional body that would champion excellence and provide a trusted mark of quality for cookery schools across the UK.

Since its founding, ICSA has grown into a national network of respected independent cookery schools, all committed to raising standards in culinary education while promoting sustainable food practices, responsible sourcing and the celebration of British produce.

Today, ICSA accreditation provides a recognised benchmark of quality, assuring prospective students that an accredited school meets rigorous standards for teaching, facilities and overall learning experience.

As a not-for-profit organisation, ICSA exists to support its member schools, promote cookery education and strengthen the reputation of the UK’s independent cookery school sector.

Membership connects schools with a professional network of chefs, educators and industry partners, working together to inspire the next generation of cooks and food professionals.

Search here for accredited cookery schools

Select specialist courses from baking through to butchery, plant based cooking, speciality sustainable fish selection and prep through to professional Barbecuing, working on Yachts and the ultimate dinner party prep. All courses are underpinned by professional chef skills and teaching standards.

TIMELINE:

2014 – ICSA founded by leading UK cookery schools

2016 – First national accreditation programme launched

2020 – Launch of British Cookery Schools Week

Today – Nationally recognised network promoting excellence in cookery education

Remember look for the ICSA accreditation ‘Kite Mark’ seal of Excellence in Cookery Skills and Training.

View Our Cookery School Membership Benefits Here

Search for an accredited ICSA member near you here

Enquire about joining ICSA here

‘ICSA Accredited’ cookery schools deliver:

  • Official endorsement of the schools teaching standards and equipment provided on signature courses.
  • Improved profile, recognition and credibility.
  • Added value elements to related courses.
  • Student reassurances in their qualification being recognised in related industries
  • A robust and systematic process for measuring the quality of training and learning provisions available at the school.
  • Increased overseas student appeal.
  • Part of on-going industry improvements via lobbying and representation on behalf of all members.
  • Nutritional network initiatives, broadening the reach and effectiveness of ICSA member schools
  • On-line courses and content to students and the public.
  • Part of a growing community of cookery school owners and associated benefits, to help improve cookery school standards UK wide.

Read about ‘ICSA Accreditations’ and categories here

OUR MEMBERS FOCUS ON FIVE CORE VALUES

Promoting responsible farming & animal welfare where possible.