FAQ
When was Culinary Institute Kul IN founded?
Kul IN was founded in 2011, and accepted its first students in 2012. Kul IN’s goal is to develop an educational center with a focus on creativity, research, and the promotion of modern cuisine and culinary technologies. Through the education of professional cooks, confectioners, and professionals in other branches of gastronomy, Kul IN hopes to build a platform for preserving traditional Croatian recipes as well as encouraging the development of modern Croatian cuisine.
Our educational programs were established by renowned Croatian chef Zdravko Perić, whose experience working in elite restaurants around the world and education at the prestigious culinary school Le Cordon Bleu strongly shape the classes at Kul IN.
Where is Kul IN?
Our culinary school is located in Sisak, Croatia, about 50km away from the capital city Zagreb. While the greenery of an old oak forest surrounds the school, we are still well connected to both Sisak and Zagreb with public transportation, including buses and trains. The nearest airport Pleso is 40km away in the direction of Zagreb.
Kul IN’s address:
Capraška Ulica 12
44 000 Sisak
Croatia
Who can apply to Kul IN’s programs?
Gastronomy offers a wide array of professions, and all students who want to direct their studies towards the culinary arts, or want to build on their existing knowledge alongside exceptional mentors with a wealth of work experience and theoretical knowledge are welcome at Kul IN.
Kul IN hopes to give students a wide array of culinary knowledge, the food industry, and gastronomy. To ensure that our students have perfected all the necessary skills for working in a quality restaurant, we begin by covering important foundations that all students, regardless of their educational background, need to pass.
As part of this program, students learn about thermal and mechanical food processing, recognizing quality ingredients, coupling seasonings with ingredients, creating quality restaurant menus, arranging and serving dishes, professional cooking standards, food storage, food portions, and the history of gastronomy.
What are the requirements for program admission?
Students applying to the programs: Professional Cook of Italian Cuisine, Catering and Buffet for the Experienced Cook, Professional Pastry and Confections and Culinary Arts must have a high school diploma. Enrollment is open to all secondary schools. To show that they have completed high school, students must bring a copy of their high school diploma when applying.
What will I learn during the program?
As part of this program, students learn about thermal and mechanical food processing, recognizing quality ingredients, coupling seasonings with ingredients, creating quality restaurant menus, arranging and serving dishes, professional cooking standards, food storage, food portions, and the history of gastronomy.
What is the ratio of theory to practice in the classroom?
Our programs have a strong focus on culinary practicums and are thus organized such that 80% of the course is practical and 20% is theory.
How important is it to come to class?
Our programs are very dynamic and intensive, so it is of utmost importance that students do not skip class so that they can pass their exams at the end of the course. The school tolerates up to 10% of class time missed. If more classes are missed, the school board will consider the student’s ability to pass exams and graduate on an individual basis.
Do I need to have a background in cooking to apply?
Considering that all programs begin with the basics of cooking and the food industry, it is not necessary to have a background in cooking or prior schooling in the culinary arts.
How many students can apply to a program?
Each program can take a maximum of 20 students. During the culinary practicum, each student will have his or her own equipment and station in the kitchen, and our lecturers monitor each student’s progress individually.
How many students share the kitchen equipment?
Each student has his or her personal workstation, including a gas stove, oven and thermal shelf, shelf for clean dishes, refrigerator, and mixer. Equipped with a personal workstation and equipment, each student can follow the lesson independently during the culinary practicum.
What kind of diploma will I receive after completing one of Kul IN’s culinary programs?
3-month programs:
Professional Pastry and Confections
After successfully completing the course Professional Pastry and Confections, the student receives a certificate for Professional Confectioner.
Catering and Buffet for the Experienced Cook
After successfully completing the course Catering and Buffet for the Experienced Cook, the student receives a certificate for Professional Cook of Catering and Buffet.
Culinary Arts
After successfully completing the course Culinary Arts, the student receives a certificate for Professional Culinary Chef.
International 11-month joint programs at Kul IN and ALMA:
Professional Cook of Italian Cuisine
After successfully completing the course Professional Cook of Italian Cuisine, the student receives a certificate from Culinary Institute Kul IN and Culinary Academy ALMA:
Professional Diploma ˝Cook of Italian Cuisine – Advanced Level˝
Certificate of Professional Qualification of ˝Operatore alla Produzione Pasti – Level EQF 4
International Program in Switzerland
After successfully completing the Advanced Culinary Program, the student receives a certificate from Culinary Institute Kul IN and B.H.M.S. :
Professional Chef Certificate
Certificate in Culinary Arts
What status do students in Kul IN’s programs receive?
Kul IN students do not receive university student status. Thus your status prior to registration in a Kul IN program (employed/unemployed/student) will remain the same.
Who are the lecturers?
- Dean of Education and professor of culinary practicums: Zdravko Perić
- Lecturer for culinary practicums: Branimir Krtalić
- Lecturer for pastry practicums: Natalija Jagunić
Will I be able to find a job after completing one of Kul IN’s programs?
Culinary Institute Kul IN’s lecturers constantly follow students’ progress, and students who show outstanding work are encouraged to ask for recommendations when applying to jobs at hotels and restaurants. Students who complete an international program at Kul IN and ALMA also gain entrance into a database of European restaurants and hotels that work with graduates from ALMA (ALMA Link). Also, studying alongside the reknowned lecturers at ALMA and asking for recommendations from chefs while interning will help you create a stronger job application for culinary jobs outside Croatia.
Can tuition be paid in multiple installments?
Tuition and fees can be paid in installments. Keep in mind that the final installment should be paid before the program start date.
What is included in the price of tuition?
Tuition at Kul IN includes:
- Instruction for the chosen program
- Study materials
- Uniforms and aprons
- Accommodation
- Lunch, Monday through Friday
- Transportation for fieldtrips
Is accommodation included in the price of tuition?
The price of tuition includes accommodation for all our students, which is located ten minutes walking distance from the school. Apartments are completely furnished and have Internet.
If the student has personal accommodation not connected to the school, will the cost of accommodation through the school be returned to the student?
Students who do not need housing while studying in Sisak do not need to pay for housing. Their tuition will be lowered in the amount of housing costs.
Can I find work abroad with a diploma from Kul IN?
Students who finished international programs will have direct access to a database of hotels and restaurants in Europe looking for employees who completed a program in ALMA. Students who complete a program through Kul IN only may also ask for recommendations from professors. Recommendations can be written in English and sent abroad.
What materials do I need to bring to class?
Students need to bring a notebook and writing utensil to take notes during lectures. All other literature and materials are provided by Kul IN.
Are there any programs offered for potential participants who are employed?
We are in the process of creating weekend programs for “Professional Pastry and Confections” and for “Catering and Buffet for the Experienced Cook”. We need to form a group of five participants for a weekend program to begin.
Can I apply for a program if I am not a Croatian citizen?
Programs are open to all foreign students. Students who are not Croatian citizens and/or do not speak Croatian will have class in English.
Which documents do international students need in order to apply for a Kul IN program?
In order to register, international students must produce a copy of their high school diploma, translated to Croatian by a notary public. They must also pass an English Language test at Kul IN.
When can I visit the school?
Culinary Institute Kul IN is happy to give you a tour of the school. You can visit our school any time of year. We also organize campus visits several times a year, where visitors have a chance to meet alumni and ask about their experiences while studying or interning. You can organize a visit or a meeting with one of our professors by phone or email:
+385-99-2414-806
+385-44-538-880
info@kulinst.com