Why A students are choosing culinary arts over traditional degrees

Laourine Muthoni, a culinary student prepares a dish during a practical training session at the Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi on February 24, 2026.

Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group

Top-performing students with As and Bs are increasingly enrolling in culinary courses rather than pursuing traditional university degrees. Others, already holding degrees in fields such as economics, are joining cooking schools to earn postgraduate diplomas to become chefs.

Laourine Muthoni, 20, had secured a university placement to study international relations. She chose culinary instead.

PAYE Tax Calculator

Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.