In the central Chinese city of Yueyang, barbecues are more than a late-night snack. It has become a booming local industry – and now, even a subject taught in the classroom.

In 2025, Yueyang launched China's first  "barbecue academy." The school officially began recruiting students in March this year, and its first group of trainees has recently completed its graduation assessments.

The idea may sound unusual, but in Yueyang, the demand is real. The city is home to more than 3,000 barbecue restaurants, with the industry continuing to grow rapidly in recent years. Long lines outside popular eateries have become a familiar sight, while many restaurant owners say their biggest challenge is finding skilled grill masters.

That demand has helped turn the academy into an unexpected hit. Its first training program offered only 30 places, yet drew more than 4,000 applicants.

At the school, students take a month-long training course focused on hands-on grilling skills. They learn how to control heat for different ingredients, when to turn the skewers and how long each item should stay on the grill – in some cases, timing is measured down to the second. After passing their assessments, students receive nationally recognized vocational skill certificates.

The academy is also part of a growing trend in China, where vocational schools are working more closely with local industries. Behind the smoke, skewers and crowded night markets is a growing service economy – one that is creating jobs, attracting young workers and turning a local food culture into a new business opportunity.