NEXT EDITION: OCTOBER 2025
Partake in a program that reimagines gastronomy as a fusion of art, science, and innovation.
Growth in the gastronomy, food, and restaurant sector is ever-evolving. To progress in this dynamic field, a blend of precise research tools, skilled intuition, and a creative mindset is essential. Our Official University Master's program is a pioneering initiative, the first of its kind, focusing on research in gastronomy, hospitality, and food. It equips students with specialized research methodologies to develop innovative products and services grounded in scientific and technological knowledge. What sets this program apart is its transdisciplinary approach, marrying science with gastronomy and infusing scientific rigor into culinary expertise. Graduates not only gain contemporary insights but also prepare for teaching and future doctoral studies.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
MASTER'S OBJECTIVES
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
We understand that professional opportunities may vary depending on the geographical location and individual preferences of students. However, with this program, participants can take on roles and functions in the following positions and areas:
ARE YOU AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?
Students enrolled in a master's program must apply for a long-term study visa at the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy in their country of residence. If you possess a European identity document, there is no need to apply for a visa.
You can find information on different embassies and consulates here.
This procedure can be initiated once you have reserved a spot in the master's program.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCIES
After almost three years between Delhi and Dubai, my fascination with the intersections between science and gastronomy led me to the Basque Culinary Center. My experience was an emotional roller coaster, but the diversity of people and disciplines immersed me in an inspiring atmosphere. I especially valued the program's unique ability to intertwine science and gastronomy, providing a holistic understanding of my field. Beyond academia, my network of contacts has become my most valuable asset. Participating in key projects like GOe and connecting with professors, peers, and researchers has expanded my capabilities and enriched my understanding of people and communities.
This master's program enters your life when you feel most lost, when you don't know which way to turn; to open new doors you didn't know existed in this fascinating world of gastronomy, which involves more factors than just cooking: culture, art, reflection, and community. The Master's in Gastronomic Sciences is a transformative experience as it exposes you to a multitude of stimuli in a short period. To enjoy it, the main requirement is to have an open mind. Thanks to this, classmates become friends, creating a safe space in class where professionals push your limits and even take you out of your comfort zone.
From the beginning of the master's program, my goal was to apply my background as a biotechnologist to culinary R&D projects. The interdisciplinary environments fostered in Gastronomic Sciences have provided me with a more comprehensive approach to gastronomy. I understand it not only from my academic background as a biotechnologist but also from humanistic and community perspectives. As a gastronomic scientist, I analyze the interconnections of food with its natural and human environment, emphasizing innovation respectful of its context. My journey through Gastronomic Sciences has equipped me with the necessary tools to fulfill my role as an R&D chef at the Dutch restaurant De Dyck. We focus on creating a sustainable rural gastronomic proposal with our own crop production and a reduced content of animal-origin foods. In this ecosystem, my task is to process seasonal ingredients to offer new techniques, flavors, and innovative dishes that cater to the Dutch palate.
HERE'S A PREVIEW
WHY YOU SHOULD DO THIS MASTER'S DEGREE.
You will learn the research methodology in gastronomy, as well as advanced knowledge of the sector to construct business proposals and/or products based on science and technology. You will work with intercultural and multidisciplinary groups of students who will contribute different perspectives to develop creative and innovative projects. You will face real challenges from companies related to research on new services, products, or gastronomic experiences. You will integrate knowledge of sensory, aesthetic, technical, and nutritional aspects for the design of dish and menu architecture. You will learn about current trends in food to manage research and innovation in the gastronomy, food, and restaurant sector. |
You will learn from professors with deep subject matter knowledge from esteemed universities and well-regarded centers, as well as from their experiences in the world of gastronomy, receiving personalized guidance and feedback from your tutor to evolve every day. You will visit technological centers, R&D units of food industry companies, and esteemed culinary venues. You will attend gastronomic congresses and actively participate in entrepreneurship initiatives and new business generation, such as Culinary Action. You will complete your Master's Thesis in R&D units at restaurants, research centers, as well as in nationally and internationally forward-thinking industries. You will be part of Basque Culinary Center, a Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences in Spain, recognized and supported by chefs who have made a significant impact on society. |
DIRECTED TO
The Master's program is aimed at university graduates in various disciplines, such as:
Language Requirements:
If your profile is not reflected in the points mentioned above and you are interested in the Master's program, do not hesitate to apply. We will assess your background and experience and get in touch with you
PROGRAM OUTLINE
The curriculum of the Master's program provides students with comprehensive competencies, complemented by an external internship period in which they will work on their Master's thesis.
MASTER'S THESIS
During the second year of the Master's program, the student will develop a Master's Thesis for a minimum of 5 months (30 ECTS) in the R&D units of restaurants, research centers, and nationally and internationally esteemed industries. To do so, they will have the support and guidance of both faculty members and company tutors. This experience will allow them to gain insights into the top-level gastronomic and food industry, working on real projects. Here are some examples:
PROGRAMME
The Master's Degree study programme gives students overall competencies, supplemented with a period of work placement during which the final project is prepared.
2nd ACADEMIC YEAR | 30 ECTS | |
---|---|---|
3rd Semester | 30 | |
Work Placement | 15 | |
Final Master’s Project | 15 |
SUBJECTS IN THE MASTER´S DEGREE
Applied Scientific Fundamentals | 18 ECTS |
Design of Products & Services | 24 ECTS |
Management of Research and Innovation | 12 ECTS |
Culinary Sociology | 6 ECTS |
Work Placement | 15 ECTS |
Final Master’s Project | 15 ECTS |
The Master's program follows the learning by doing methodology, which is based on the idea that the best way to learn is through practical experience and direct action. Instead of focusing solely on theory and passive instruction, this methodology encourages students to gain knowledge and skills by actively participating in practical activities and real projects.
This approach involves a significant emphasis on action-based learning, where theoretical classes are complemented by exercises, challenges, or practical activities to ensure that the acquired knowledge is effectively absorbed. For example:
Get a glimpse of what our students have achieved through these project examples
Learn from Industry Experts with Experience!
Students will have the opportunity to learn from accomplished professionals in the field, recognized for their academic, intellectual, and social influence, as well as their impactful contributions. The program features a panel of instructors composed of seasoned culinary experts with specialized knowledge in the field of Gastronomy.
MASTER'S COORDINATOR
Juan Carlos Arboleya
BASQUE CULINARY CENTER FACULTY
Cipriano Carrero
Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid. Cipriano has worked as a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Universiteit van Amsterdam, Università degli Studi di Torino, and Stockholm University. Currently, he is a professor at Mondragon University within the Master's in Gastronomic Sciences and the Bachelor's in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts programs. His main research interests include fungal biotechnology and the development of various methodologies related to the extraction, fractionation, and analysis of bioactive and nutraceutical ingredients.
Joo Youl Lee
Bachelor's degree in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts and a Master's degree in Gastronomic Sciences from the Basque Culinary Center (Donostia-San Sebastián). Currently, he works at BCC as part of the coordination team for the Master's in Gastronomic Sciences. Originally from South Korea, he has worked at several restaurants including Relæ (Copenhagen), Alkimia (Barcelona), and Elkano (Getaria). He has a keen interest in the psychosocial aspect of the culinary field and in understanding the fusion of science and gastronomy.
Raquel Mestre
Graduated in Food Science and Technology from the University of Granada and an Illustrator. A graduate of the Master's in Gastronomic Sciences at Basque Culinary Center, she received a scholarship to work in the Sensory Perception department of BCCInnovation and completed her master's thesis on interdisciplinary interactions in R&D teams in gastronomy. She is currently a member of the Technical Committee for the Master's in Gastronomic Sciences and a professor in the Bachelor's program in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, as well as in several other master's programs offered at Basque Culinary Center.
María Mora
Diploma in Human Nutrition, Bachelor's degree in Food Science and Technology, and Ph.D. in Agro-Environmental Technology for Sustainable Agriculture. María specializes in sensory analysis and sensometrics, with an emphasis on the psychological dimension of consumer behavior. During her thesis, she studied the emotional response of consumers to different foods. Since 2015, she has worked as a researcher in the sensory analysis area at BCCInnovation, developing research projects funded both publicly and privately.
Pablo Orduna
Ph.D. in Modern History from the University of Navarra. He has worked as a teacher at that institution, as an international lecturer at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), as a faculty member at the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, and at the Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences within Basque Culinary Center. He has conducted research as a grant recipient from the CSIC and the José Miguel de Barandiarán Foundation. He enjoyed a research stay at the Center of Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno (USA). He belongs to various associations in the fields of History, Ethnography, and Anthropology, of which he is an active member. He continues his ethnological research with the Etniker Ethnographic Studies Group. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Cuadernos de Etnología y Etnografía de Navarra. Since 2020, he has been a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science.
Laura Perezabad
Ph.D. in Food Sciences from UAM, Madrid. After studying nutrition, she started a personal consulting project for individuals and companies. She worked in the food industry before pursuing her Ph.D. at CSIC, studying food allergy to egg and milk. She is currently the coordinating professor for the specialization in Food Development and Technology of the Bachelor's in Gastronomy and a researcher at BCCInn. Her contribution to various projects always seeks synergies between nutrition, food technology, and gastronomy to meet the demands of the food sector.
John Regefalk
Research chef and culinary team coordinator at BCC Innovation. With over 20 years of international experience in professional kitchens and high-end restaurants (Noma - Copenhagen, RyuGin - Tokyo, Metamorfosi - Rome), he has gained a broad gastronomic perspective and experience in a variety of cuisines. He lived and worked in Italy for 9 years, which provided him with knowledge of Italian culinary culture.
Laura Vázquez
Research coordinator and researcher at BCC Innovation. She holds a degree in Biology, a degree in Food Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Food Sciences and Technologies. With over 15 years of experience in sensory analysis of food and more than 60 publications in indexed journals. She has previously worked as a sensory research and development manager at Hijos de Rivera S.A.U., as well as a researcher/professor at different universities (University of Vigo, Kansas State University, Miguel Hernández University of Elche).
EXPERT COLLABORATORS
Dani Lasa
Founding partner of Imago S.L., a community producing creative and executive creations in a number of areas to transform businesses. He is currently involved in a number of businesses (Dotorea, Nublo, Humo Pizza and Los Caños), on projects ranging from the creation of catering spaces to management of companies operating in the world of food. He is a founding partner of Wild Ferment S.L., a company which produces an original low-alcohol beverage in the Basque Country known as Ama Pet-Nat Tea, and sells it in 19 countries. He is also jointly responsible for international projects in the intersection between social innovation and gastronomy, working alongside organisations such as ALC (a social innovation laboratory), La Caixa Foundation and also UNDP (United Nations Development Program), working in countries such as Thailand, Pakistan, Colombia, Uruguay and Peru.
José de la Rosa Morón
A biologist absorbed by gastronomy and the sciences surrounding it, with a close affinity for neurophysiology and microbiology. The Basque Culinary Center's Master's programme in Gastronomic Sciences sparked a connection between his studies and his true passion. He is director and creator of the Food Alchemist Lab at the Future Food Institute, advising a wide range of multinationals and restaurants worldwide. He now works as fermented freelance®, sharing knowledge and exploring the contamination between and through disciplines with the help of microorganisms, in order to "ensure" a better food system from Andalusia and for the world.
Nabila Rodríguez
She qualified as a technical industrial engineer specialising in industrial chemistry at the University of Las Palmas, and graduated in Analytic Chemistry at the University of Laguna. She is a former student on the Gastronomic Sciences Master's programme at the Basque Culinary Center. She now works in research and development at the Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen, carrying out a range of science and cooking projects. She is also studying for the Gastronomic Sciences doctorate at the Basque Culinary Center in association with Harvard University, investigating the kokumi sensation in fermented products.
Carlos Velasco
Carlos Velasco is associate professor at the Department of Marketing, BI Norwegian Business School (Norway), where he co-founded the Centre for Multisensory Marketing. Carlos received his D.Phil. in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University. His work is situated at the intersection between Psychology, Marketing, and Human–Computer Interaction, and focuses on understanding, and capitalizing on, our multisensory experiences and their guiding principles. Carlos has worked with a number of companies from around the world on topics such as multisensory experiences, food and drink, branding, and consumer research. For more information, visit https://carlosvelasco.info/
The price of the Master's program is €14,352.
1st year:
2nd year:
The enrollment fee includes:
Basque Culinary Center has an admissions system aimed at ensuring that our students have the academic level and personal competencies necessary to successfully complete an innovative and demanding curriculum. After completing the application process, the Admissions Committee will select the admitted candidates.
The application period for the master's program is now closed. However, you can sign up for the waiting list.
In addition to completing the online registration, you must send the following scanned documentation to admisiones@bculinary.com:
For any queries or further information, please contact admisiones@bculinary.com
RETENTION POLICY IN THE MASTER'S PROGRAM:
The retention policy of the program is based on two aspects:
Livensa Living San Sebastian is located in the neighborhood of Ibaeta, in a quiet area and a step away from Tolosa Avenue that leads to Ondarreta beach. It is an accommodation that takes care of all the details and is designed to make you feel at home during your stay in Donostia-San Sebastian. It has spaces to relax and share time in company.
Features to highlight:
Through the MU Sports Service, students can access team sports as well as individual sporting activities and Group trips (weekend skiing, surfing trips….).
Donostia-San Sebastian also has an extensive offer of municipal sporting facilities. The Kirol Txartela (sport card) permits access to all the city’s municipal facilities at a very economical price. For more information, go to the following link.
During their study years, BCC students will have access to the BCC Student APP. Through this APP students will be informed about grants and scholarships, job opportunities, extracurricular learning opportunities, events, invitations to exclusive Master Classes... They will also be informed on student discounts, BCC Cafeteria or Restaurant reservations, transportation, etc.
SGIC - INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM
VERIFY
MONITOR
It is a program offered to universities to facilitate the monitoring of official degrees in order to verify their proper implementation and outcomes.
Monitoring indicators |
2016-2017 | 2017- 2018 |
---|---|---|
Number of enrolled students in the Master's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences |
12 | 17 |
Graduation rate in the Master's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences |
- | 91.67% |
Drop out rate in the Master's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences |
0.00 | 8.33% |
Efficiency rate in the Master's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences |
100.00% | 100.00% |
Satisfaction level of the student in the Master's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences |
7.21 | 7.11 |
Business satisfaction of the students final dissertation in the Master's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences |
- | 10.00 |
DOCENTIA
It is a program that supports universities in designing their own mechanisms for managing the quality of the teaching activities of university faculty and promoting their development and recognition.