Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry

Concentration in Culinary Arts

2 years/120 ECTS, Diploma

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Accredited Programme by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CY.Q.A.A.)
Government Grant up to €3,420 for each year of study (with income criteria)

The two-year programme of study “Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry” is a Diploma-level professional degree in which students get in touch with an extensive theoretical training and acquire practical expertise, as required in the field of hospitality, catering and restaurant businesses. This programme of study offers the choice between two concentrations: a) Culinary Arts, b) Bakery-Pastry. By choosing between the two directions, students have the opportunity to join the field of Culinary Arts or Baking- Pastry and acquire the knowledge and skills required to become professional cooks, bakers and pastry chefs. The programme can also help individuals who wish to acquire the necessary specialised knowledge and skills in those areas.

The said programme of study is taught through a series of theoretical and practical courses accompanied by the relevant practical training. The programme is designed to provide the students with rich experiences and knowledge on national and international cuisine, baking and pastry, and to introduce them to oenology and catering, through practical and theoretical courses. Throughout their studies, students will be encouraged to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their work placement and cookery / pastry lab activities, and they will be supported to develop and master skills relevant to dish decoration, menu building etc. Students will learn about national and European standards, as well as laws and regulations regarding food safety, while at the same time they will be supported in applying this knowledge to their everyday professional lives.

The programme’s purpose and objectives, as defined above, are further supported and strengthened with the provision of work placement opportunities to students. The courses of “Practical Training I” and “Practical Training II” are mandatory to all students and are considered to be very important, both for the development of students' skills and competences, as well as for the connection between the knowledge offered at the College-level and the knowledge gained through real-life work experience. The College has formed partnerships with large companies in the field of culinary arts and so all students who successfully complete their 2nd and 4th semester, are given the opportunity to be placed in select culinary units, where they are given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience during a period of four weeks.

Job Opportunities

Hotel Restaurants
Restaurants as independent businesses
Restaurants in factories, shopping malls, schools, hospitals, institutions, Army Services, trains, cruise ships etc.
Bakery and Pastry businesses
Industries selling readymade bakery and pastry products
Catering Companies
Create own business as freelancer

Programme’s Purpose, Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Programme Structure


Semester 1
COURSES	P.P.W.*	ECTS
Health and Safety	2	4
Principles of Accounting	2	4
Project Writing	2	3
Professional French	2	4
Bakery I (Theory)	2	4
Introduction to Cooking	7	7
Basic Baking Principles	4	4
TOTAL	19	30


Semester 2
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Dining and Oenology	2	3
Food Tenders and Costing	2	4
Food Science	2	4
Food Hygiene	2	4
Classic French Cuisine	-	2
Practical Training I	-	5
Cooking Techniques I	5	5
Basic Pastry Principles	3	3
TOTAL	19	30


Semester 3
COURSES	P.P.W.*	ECTS
International Eating Habits	2	4
Molecular and Fusion Cuisine	4	4
Healthy Eating	2	4
Events Management	2	3
Essentials of Entrepreneurship	2	4
Professional Ethics	2	6
Cooking Techniques IΙ	6	6
TOTAL	20	30


Semester 4
COURSES	P.P.W*	ECTS
Food Unit Maintenance & Design	3	6
Practical Training II	-	5
Traditional Cypriot Cuisine	5	4
Menu Development and Plate Decoration	4	5
Decoration	3	6
Elective Courses		-
European Cuisine	4	4
International Cuisine	4	4
TOTAL	19	30

* P. P. W: Periods per week. Duration: 55 minutes

Programme Syllabi

Academic Staff

Coordinator of the Programme: Panayiotis Hadjisymeou

Office: 5 Kallipolis Avenue, 1055 Nicosia

Tel.: 00357 22875737, E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Employment Status: Part time

Position: Lecturer

Specialisation: Health and Safety

Programme of Study: Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry, Culinary Arts Management

Mr. Athanasiou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2019. He has a Master’s Degree (MSc) in “Environmental and Natural Resource Management” and a Bachelors' Degree (BA) in “Natural Environment Protection”, from the University of Ioannina. Mr. Athanasiou has participated to a number of educational seminars related to ‘Health and Safety’ and has a great experience in conducting training seminars relevant to this specific field. Furthermore, he has obtained the title of ‘E.X.Y.P.P- Health and Safety Certified Consultant’ from the Ministry of Labour of the Cyprus Republic. Mr. Athanasiou has an extensive experience working as a Health and Safety Manager in large companies in Cyprus. Since 2010, Mr. Athanasiou is the President of the Cyprus Environmental Association.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialization: CULINARY ARTS

Programmes of Study: CULINARY ARTS, CULINARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Short cv: Mr Aristos Nicolaou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2016. He holds a Bachelor Degree (BA) in "Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management" from Derby University and a Higher Diploma in Culinary Arts from the Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus. He has extensive work experience in numerous culinary business units in Cyprus since 2007, where he held significant and relevant roles such as that of the Chef. He has been awarded with the Bronze Award at the 2006 Culinary Art Contest (chicken category) and Silver Prize in the 2014 Culinary Arts Contest (lamb and fish main dish category).
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialization: CULINARY ARTS

Programmes of Study: CULINARY ARTS, CULINARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Short cv: Ms Maria Prodromou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2016. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Professional Culinary Arts from the University of Derby and a Higher Diploma in Culinary Arts from the Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus. She also holds a number of certificates relevant to her studies after having attended a significant number of seminars. She was employed by Zorpas & Sons Ltd as Chef in 2011-2016. She also has working experience in a number of hotel units in Cyprus from 2007 to 2010, where she worked as a Pastry Chef. She was awarded the Golden Prize at the 2010 Istanbul International Competition (Pasta Category), with Silver Prize at the 2010 Istanbul International Competition (Grand Prix Master Chef Mystery Basket) and Silver Prize at the Gastronomy Gastronomy Contest in Cyprus in 2010 (Grand Prix category).
Employment Status: Full time

Position: Lecturer

Specialisation: Culinary Arts

Programme of Study: Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry, Culinary Arts Management

Mr. Georgios Pishilis is a Lecturer at KES College since 2013 where he teaches the Culinary Arts programme. He holds a Master’s Degree (MA) in Marketing from the London Metropolitan University, a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Professional Culinary Arts from the University of Derby, and a Higher Diploma from Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus in the same subject matter. His has work experience in hotels, including Cavo Maris Beach Hotel, Hilton Park, and Moniatis Hotel. Since 2014, he holds the position of the Marketing Manager of the Eurotoques Chefs Association of Cyprus. He has participated to a large number of seminars and is also a recipient of prizes and awards related to his specialty. In particular, he was awarded the

following prizes:

- 2015: Traditional Menu / Gold Medal, Polus Center Gastronome, Cluj, Roumania

- 2015: Restaurant Plated Dessert / Gold Medal, Polus Center Gastronome, Cluj, Roumania
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialisation: Accounting

Programmes of Study: Logistics, Culinary Arts Management, Office Management Administrator, Pharmacy Assistant (Technician)

Mr Demetris Demetriou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2015. He is in possession of a Post Graduate Degree in Εducational Leadership and Politics from Cyprus Open University and a Degree (BSc) in Accounting and Finance from University of North Texas. He is an Accounting Lecturer in numerous educational institutions from 1992. Moreover he worked as an Auditor from 1988 to 1991 acquiring significant experience on issues related to his profession. He also participated in numerous seminars whereby, he had the opportunity to enrich his knowledge and improve his skills. He is accredited by the Human Resource Development Authority as an internal trainer.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer

Specialisation: Biology, Environmental Management

Programmes of Study: Beauty Therapy and Beauty Therapy Units Management, Culinary Arts Management, School of Environmental Studies, Pharmacy Assistant (Technician)

Dr. Demetrios Sarris is an Academic Scholar with +15 years research experience, participating in over 20 international and national research projects and has developed international collaborations with scientists from Switzerland, USA, France, Israel, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus and Greece. Publications of his research teams have a significant impact and are featured in leading scientific journals, with research findings having been presented in +30 primarily international conferences. He is also a reviewer for more than 10 international journals and has designed and supervised over 30 Thesis. Trained in Switzerland (Inst. of Botany, Univ. Basel) and Greece (Dept of Biology, Univ. of Patras) in Biology (BSc), in Ecology and Environmental Management (MSc) and in Dendro- Ecology/Climatology and Plant Science (PhD), he has been employed: (i) at the Dept of Biological Sciences of the Univ. of Cyprus (having held the positions of Assistant Professor-Academic Visitor and Special Scientist for Research & Lecturing), (ii) at the Open Univ. of Cyprus (as Academic Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty Tutor & Master’s Thesis Supervisor of the Environmental Conservation and Management Postgraduate Program), (iii) at the Dept of Life Sciences, European Univ. of Cyprus and (iv) at KES College in Cyprus (as Coordinator of the Environmental Management and of the Organic Products Technicians’ Programs). He has also worked at Academic Institutions in Greece and has Post Doc experience at the Inst. of Botany, Univ. Basel and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI, ETH-Zurich). He is an expert of the International Science Network MedECC, which supports, inter alia, the UN Environmental Program, and has served as Scientific Consultant for Scientific Documentaries (e.g. Άνυδρη Γη), for the University of Cyprus (Black Gold Strategic Program) on Sustainable Agroforestry and Organic Farming aiming to revitalize the carob industry of Cyprus («Μαύρος Χρυσός») and for the Association of Organic Farmers in Cyprus. He is also an Invited Member of the Editorial Board of Annals of Silvicultural Research.
Employment Status: Part Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialisation: French

Programmes of Study: Culinary Arts Management

Ms. Eleni Pettemeridou is a Lecturer at KES COLLEGE from 2023. She holds a Master Degree in “Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning” (2016) from Open University of Cyprus. She has, also, a Bachelor Degree in “French Language and Literature” (2011) from University of Cyprus. As of 2009, Ms. Pettemeridou teaches adults and kids French language. From 2018, she participates in the program of Ministry of Education for homeschooling. She teaches subjects of her specialty.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialisation: Food Technology

Programmes of Study: Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry, Culinary Business Management, Hotel Management, Technician for the Production of Organic Products

Ms. Eve Konstantinou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2016. She holds a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Food Quality Management from the University of Wagenigen in Netherlands and a Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in Food Technology from Karditsa Technological Educational Institute in Larissa. Since 2015, she has been working as an external consultant at Q-Point BV on food quality assurance issues.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer

Specialization: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, LOGISTICS

Programmes of Study: CULINARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, LOGISTICS, MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES, CULINARY ARTS

Short cv: Ms Marina Konstantinou is a Coordinator of the Logistics, Business Management, Office Management and Secretarial Studies Programs of Studies and a Senior Lecturer at KES College since 2019. She holds an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Cranfield University and a BSc in Business Administration from the University of Macedonia. She has successfully worked in the retail sector as a Purchasing Executive where she specialized in food and management of the supply chain. She also worked for seven years as a Purchasing Manager in the industry sector. She teaches subjects of her specialty.
Employment Status: Part Time

Position: Senior Lecturer

Specialization: Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics

Programmes of Study: Hotel Management, Pharmacy Assistant (Technician), Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry

Short CV: Dr. Sophocleous Xanthi is a Senior Lecturer at KES College since 2017 and she is a holder of an undergraduate qualification in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from the Charokopio University in Athens. Moreover, she holds an MBA from Maastricht School of Management. Ms Sophocleous is a holder of a PhD with the topic: Associations between Cypriot’s children television food advertising exposure and their eating behavior: An observational and diagnostic survey with the use of questionnaires and eating behavior tests in 1088 Cypriot children. She has in-depth experience as a Medical Representative of a Pharmaceutical company. From 2010-2018 she has her own personal nutrition practice.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Lecturer

Specialisation: Hotel Management / Travel and Tourism

Programmes of Study: Hotel Management, Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry, Culinary Arts Management

Ms Olvia Kyriakou is a Lecturer at KES College since 2021. She holds Master in Business Administration (with Distinction) in Human Resources from Cardiff Metropolitan University of Wales. She also holds a Bachelor Degree of European University of Cyprus and a Higher Diploma of Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus. Since 2015 she has been working in the hotel industry. From 2017 she worked as a Floor Supervisor Housekeeper for two years at Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol. Then in 2019 at the opening of a new hotel Amara Hotel she worked as a Floor Supervisor Housekeeper and then as a Front Office Receptionist until today. She also has a certificate of attendance Cultural Tourism Specialist based on ISO 17024. She teaches subjects of her specialisation.
Employment Status: Full Time

Position: Programme Coordinator, Senior Lecturer

Specialization: PROGRAMME COORDINATOR OF THE SCHOOL OF CULINARY ARTS, HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

Programmes of Study: CULINARY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Short cv: Mr. Panayiotis Hadjisymeou is the Coordinator of the "Culinary Arts", "Ηotel Management" and " Travel & Tourism Management" Programmes of Study and a Senior Lecturer at KES College since 2007. He holds a Post Graduate Degree (MA) in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts and a Degree (BA) in Hospitality Management from Middlesex University and a Higher Diploma in Culinary Arts from Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus. He has ample professional experience from various work positions within a range of different countries and primarily at the international hotel chain Hilton Hotels from 1980-1985 and Cyprus Airways as the Head of Catering Services from 1985-2006. He is a member in various organizations relating to his profession and he is also the president and founding member of Eurotoques – Cyprus and the Cyprus Chefs Association. He is accredited by the Human Resource Development Authority as a trainer, an assessor of vocational qualifications, assessor of Vocational Training Centers and evaluator of Vocational Training Structures (VET). He is a business consultant in areas related to staff development, training and creation of new businesses. He regularly organizes seminars and lectures both in Cyprus and abroad for companies and academic institutions.