Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts

Gain the professional skills and practical experience you need to join this fast-moving industry through practical assessments and first-hand experience alongside industry professionals. You will develop your skills in our excellent range of training facilities, where you will gain valuable, realistic experience in a vibrant and modern environment.

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Explore the World of Culinary Arts

Suffolk Centre of Culinary Arts supports learners by giving them an insight into the catering and hospitality industry. At our Ipswich campus the students run our restaurant Chefs’ White’s (also open to the public) and our Deli, where food is made daily by our learners for staff and students.

At our Halesworth campus the students run our Diner where they serve a range of hot and cold food to the rest of the campus.

Our courses are for you if you are passionate about cooking whether this is to learn and then continue your journey into industry or to learn a life skill.

The 3 ingredients needed to achieve are dedication, resilience and respect.

Chefs’ Whites Restaurant

Guest Chef Experience

At regular times throughout the academic year, learners will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the industry’s top chefs.

These chefs provide masterclass sessions, before working with our kitchen and restaurant teams to provide evenings of fine dining and delicious food to a packed Chefs’ Whites Restaurant!

The insights and experience our learners take from working alongside industry experts of such calibre are invaluable to their own career journey in the catering and hospitality sector!

Employer Engagement

Our commitment to employer engagement means that throughout the academic year, students benefit from hands-on experience and mentorship from some of the top professionals in the catering and hospitality sector.

By working alongside industry experts and participating in masterclass sessions, our learners gain invaluable insights and skills that are crucial for their future careers. These collaborative efforts not only enhance their educational journey but also prepare them for the dynamic and demanding world of culinary arts.

Industry Partners

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We work with a wide range of employers to shape our courses and give students real-world experience.

Here’s just a selection – view all partners to see our full network.

Hallgarten and Novum Wines

Jamie Lee Smith Catering at Venue 16

Alumni

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Discover where a Suffolk New College education can lead.

Read inspiring stories from former students who have gone on to build successful careers across a wide range of industries.

Alumni

Davide Oggero

Catering & Hospitality

Pastry chef creating desserts and patisserie in the heart of Cambridge’s hospitality scene

Website

Alumni

Lilly Popplewell

Catering & Hospitality

From college training to a Michelin‑starred kitchen, Suffolk New College alumna Lilly Popplewell is building a standout career in professional cookery.

Website

Alumni

Ollie Rogers

Catering & Hospitality

Restaurant Manager at The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant & Suffolk New College Alumnus

Take a tour of our back-of-house facilities

Training Kitchens

You will be required to attend work experience and to be involved in function work and open events at the college to further your skills.

Kitchen Tour

Restaurant Tour

Chefs' Whites Restaurant

Latest News

Suffolk New College students and staff at the award ceremony for the Highly Commended Kitchen Award at the national cooking competition.

Learner Stories

Suffolk New College trio rustle up two awards during prestigious national cooking competition

A team from Chefs’ Whites restaurant in Ipswich cooked up a couple of awards at the annual Young Restaurant Team of the Year competition held in Sheff

July 9, 2026 | 1 min read

Events

College students take over Ipswich Town Football Club and host industry dinner for over 130 guests

A group of students took over a hospitality kitchen at Ipswich Town Football Club by hosting a dinner for over 130 people.

April 23, 2026 | 2 min read

Three young restaurant team finalists in chef uniforms standing outdoors in front of a historic building, representing Suffolk New College's culinary excellence and teamwork.

Learner Stories

Young restaurant team of the year finalists say ‘we’re going to leave everything on the table’ in a bid to win top honours

Three teenagers from Suffolk have made it through to the final stages of a national cooking and hospitality competition.

March 18, 2026 | 2 min read

Book an Open Event and come visit us!

Come and visit us on one of our college Open Event, where you can find out more about our courses, check out our facilities and speak to current learners and staff.

Book your place

S.C.C.A Learners in the College restaurant

Careers in the Catering & Hospitality Sector

Help & Support

Moving from school to college can be something of a culture shock. But at Suffolk New College we’ve created a supportive, social environment where you can easily get access to the help and advice you need, make new friends and get the most out of your time with us.

Help & Support