Top 5 pastry schools in Paris
The French take food very seriously. Family meals are extravagant affairs that usually contain no less than three courses. They generally last for hours filled with conversations, and often end with a good sweet dessert such as cake or pastry.
Do you dream of playing with chocolate or learning how to make chocolate éclairs, soufflés, macaroons and other classic French pastries and desserts?
Many travelers to Paris are keen to take a cooking class. What a great idea: learning to cook (or perfecting your skills) in the culinary capital of the world!
Either you book a lesson for a few hours or you are convinced that this is what you really, really want to get a French pastry chef qualification.
To avoid disappointment, try to book well in advance; there is often room only on waiting lists. Here are some of our top picks for cooking schools in Paris.
Le Cordon Bleu Pastry School
Created in 1895, this prestigious culinary school now offers a network of 50 schools on five continents, which welcome 20,000 students per year. Each school offers its own list of short courses and cooking demonstrations. Find your level with 1, 2 or 3 mushrooms next to each option.
Paris options include: Gourmet Pastry Chef, Gourmet Cuisine; Food and wine pairings; Gourmet vegetarian; Bread/pastry and traditional bakery; French regional cuisine; Hotel kitchen tour; Classic and modern local sauces; Gourmet caterer, Tasting of local products, etc...
Workshops are planned to allow students to familiarize themselves as much as possible with the work environment of a professional kitchen of a starred chef. All necessary ingredients and equipment are provided, including aprons and tea towels.
The president of Le Cordon Bleu, André Cointreau, announced in 2016 the opening of a brand new school of pastry specialties and French culinary know-how at 13 Quai André Citroën in the 15th arrondissement.
Opening in August. Demonstrations €45, one-day course (6 hours) €199. 8 rue Léon Delhomme, 75015. Tel: + 33 1 85 65 15 00
Lenôtre Pastry School
Founded by the late and world-famous pastry chef Gaston Lenôtre, this culinary school has a host of professionals and starred chefs such as former Ritz chef Michel Roth, sommelier Oliver Poussier and Guy Krenzer (Double MOF - Meilleur Ouvrier de France ).
The school is located in the magnificent Pavillon Lenôtre on the Champs Elysées, in Vincennes (open in August on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) and in Parly 2. The atmosphere is friendly and the lessons cover all aspects of pastry and cooking traditional French cuisine, from fish cooking techniques to the secrets of favorite bistros, including festive verrines and famous Lenôtre classics.
To consult the complete program, go to: http://lenotrewebprod.blob.core.windows.net/mediacms/Calendrier_des_ateliers_Lenotre.pdf
The average price is 29-450€. Spoken English. Closed from July 30 to August 25.Pavillon Elysées-Lenôtre, 75008. Tel: + 331 30 81 44 96
Alain Ducasse Cooking School
"We must open our doors to all lovers of pastry and gourmet cuisine to allow them to know, try and understand where the delicious dishes that are served to them come from", explains Alain Ducasse to the culinary know-how of gastronome French gourmet.
In a beautiful private townhouse, near Passy, with wine cellar, shop, kitchens of Miele and Perene hotel restaurateurs equipped with state-of-the-art technology and sunny patio, the ECAD offers courses for the whole family, there even has courses so that families can cook fresh and prestigious local products together (foie gras, truffles, duck breast, cheeses)
Other programs include teens for a first lesson in pastry or gourmet catering cooking. Cooking classes for an event and "Cooking like a Chef" classes to improve knowledge and techniques.
In a brand new space, discover the Alain Ducasse cooking school at BHV Marais; located on the 3rd floor of the Galerie Lafayette Group department store, which can accommodate up to 10 students.
Closed from August 3 to 25. Average price from 90€. 64 rue Ranelagh, 75016. Tel: + 331 44 90 91 00. Other premises at BHV Marais, 52 rue de Rivoli, 75004.
Pastry School Ferrandi Paris
Ferrandi Paris is located in the sixth arrondissement, not far from the Luxembourg Gardens. The school offers half-day courses for beginners, often focusing on baking. However, these courses are not as frequent as those offered by other schools and usually cost around 220 euros.
The Ferrandi School, however, is one of the best places in town for more professional people. Their training weeks are a great option for vacationing chefs, and to enroll in the intensive programs, which last five months and lead to certification from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry upon completion, longer stay.
Training supervised by a hotel chef who will teach students the harmony of flavors and aromas of the two worlds of pastry and French cuisine
FERRANDI Paris 28, rue de l'Abbé Grégoire 75006 PARIS Tel: +331 49 54 28 00
Ritz Escoffier Pastry School
At the Ritz Paris, a school lives in the heart of their kitchens. This school is unique in the world, a place where French know-how is taught to future professionals up to excellence and to French cuisine enthusiasts, whether they are novices, experienced chefs or young budding cooks. Located in the center of the most luxurious hotel in the world, the Ritz-Escoffer School is founded in the famous gourmet kitchens of the great chefs of the Ritz Hotel. The hotel is located in the heart of Paris, in an upscale neighborhood, and the hotel prides itself on offering fine dining in its Michelin-recommended French gastronomy restaurant.
The culinary school is taught by the many chefs who work in the hotel kitchen, the pastry teachers are among the most accessible and gifted chefs in Paris.
The school offers 12 individual "Art of French pastry" training courses lasting two and a half days each. Two of these modules deal with chocolate. The school also offers a master's degree program in pastry that lasts five half-days.
Opening in August. One-day lesson (3 hours) €250 - 15 place Vendôme 75001 Paris T +33 1 43 16 30 50
There's a lot of love going into French patisserie, whether it's getting creative with recipes, exploring culture, or the simple satisfaction of serving something delicious to diners.
For budding chefs, there is hardly a better place than Paris, the world capital of gastronomy, to hone their skills and develop their culinary know-how.
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