Top 10 Culinary Schools in Paris

7 July 2015 by Margaret Kemp    131737    17
Top 10 Culinary Schools in Paris
Margaret Kemp
By Margaret Kemp
High on the wish list for many travelers to Paris is taking a cooking class. What a great idea: learning to cook (or honing your skills) in this world culinary capital! Either book a course, or drop a large hint that this is what you really, really want for a birthday or anniversary gift. To avoid disappointment try to book well in advance; there’s often only room on the wait lists. Here are some of our top picks for culinary schools in Paris. École de Cuisine Alain Ducasse “We must open our doors to all cooking enthusiasts and let them get to know, try and understand where the delicious food served to them comes from”, explains Alain Ducasse. In a beautiful private townhouse, near Passy, with wine cellar, boutique, Miele and Perene state-of-the-art equipped kitchens and sunny patio, ECAD offers courses for the whole family, there’s even classes for families to cook together. Other programs include Teens in the Kitchen. First Cookery Lessons. Cooking for an Event & Do It Like A Chef classes to perfect knowledge and techniques. In a brand new space, discover Alain Ducasse Cooking School at the BHV Marais; located on the 3rd floor of the Groupe Galerie Lafayette owned department store, accommodating up to 10 students. Closed August 3-25. Average fee from 90€. 64 rue Ranelagh, 75016. Tel:+ 33 1 44 90 91 00. Another location at BHV Marais, 52 rue de Rivoli, 75004. Le Cordon Bleu Created in 1895, this prestigious culinary school now offers a network of 50 schools on five continents enrolling 20,000 students annually. Each school offers its own list of culinary short courses and demonstrations; find your level via 1, 2, or 3 mushrooms beside each option. Paris options include: Cooking for Friends; Food & Wine Pairings; Vegetarian; Traditional Bread/Pastry & Baking; French Regional Cuisine; Sancerre vineyard visits; Classic and Modern sauces; Christmas Yule Logs, etc. Most classes/demonstrations include English translations. Workshops are planned to give students as much exposure as possible to the working environment of a professional kitchen, all necessary ingredients and equipment are provided, including aprons and tea towels. This month Cordon Bleu President André Cointreau announced the opening of a brand new school at 13 Quai Andé Citroën in the 15th arrondissement, opening in 2016. Open August. Demonstrations 45€, 1-day (6-hour) course 199€. 8 rue Léon Delhomme, 75015. Tel: + 33 1 85 65 15 00 At Home with Patricia Wells “We’re working on our schedule for 2017,” says Ms Wells, journalist, award-winning cookbook author and teacher, who divides her time between Paris and Provence. There’s room for 7 students in her Left Bank kitchen, a former artist’s studio. Courses, which take place in the Spring, may include visits to local markets, cheese, wine and olive oil tastings and round table demonstrations on, say, the art of knife sharpening. The week-long program, in English, offers four cooking classes followed by a meal around the atelier table that includes plenty of lively discussion. Go to: http://www.patriciawells.com/sample-schedule-paris to tap into the zeitgeist. 10 rue Jacob, 75007. Atelier Guy Martin Located in a magnificent, three-story townhouse near the Champs Elysées, with a chic canteen, a library, and a boutique, L’Atelier ticks all the boxes. Who wouldn’t want to cook like superchef Guy Martin? (He holds two Michelin stars at the historic Grand Véfour restaurant in central Paris.) Lessons are held in the ground floor steel and glass kitchen, followed by tastings. Except for pâtisserie classes, in which students may take home the treats. Themes include “Grand Vefour” (200€), “Parents/Children” (40€), “Pâtisserie, Macarons etc.” (80€) and “Two Hours in the kitchen” (100€). And, yes, Guy Martin will give you a private lesson (price on application). English speaking. Closed from August 3-24.  35-37 rue Miromesnil, 75008. Tel: + 33 1 42 66 33 33 École Lenôtre Established by the late Gaston Lenôtre, this culinary school boasts a star-studded cast of professionals such as ex-Ritz chef Michel Roth, Sommelier, Oliver Poussier and Guy Krenzer (Double MOF – Meilleur Ouvrier de France). Locations include the beautiful 1900s Pavillon Lenôtre off the Champs Elysées; Vincennes (open August on Friday, Saturday, Sundays); and Parly 2. The atmosphere is friendly and courses cover everything from techniques for cooking fish, secrets of bistro favorites, festive verrines, and Lenôtre’s famous classics. For the full program go to: http://lenotrewebprod.blob.core.windows.net/mediacms/Calendrier_des_ateliers_Lenotre.pdf Average fee is 29-450€. English spoken. Closed from July 30-August 25. Pavillon Elysées-Lenôtre, 75008. Tel: + 33 1 30 81 44 96 La Cuisine Paris La Cuisine Paris doesn’t just offer fabulous cooking classes; they also offer food tours throughout the city. The Marais Soirée is a delicious three-hour tour of the Marais district. Or book Bellies on Foot, a food- and history-filled adventure through Les Halles area. Pastry fanatics should consider the Sugar Rush Tour, and for Wine and Cheese lovers, there’s the Fromage and Wine Discovery. Add the French Market Cooking Class at Le Marché des Enfants Rouge, or a trip to Versailles. Of the top-notch cooking classes, macaron making is a favourite, so are the classes on brioche and the French baguette. After preparation, enjoy the fruit of your labour with a few glasses of white wine. For the dessert classes, students are welcome to eat on site, but La Cuisine provide boxes for you to take away…
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Lead photo credit : École de Cuisine Alain Ducasse/ Photographer Pierre Monetta

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By Margaret Kemp

Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !

Comments

  • Alissa Sun
    2018-06-04 23:27:07
    Alissa Sun
    I looking for short term ( 3-4 months ) culinary course, preferably English speaking. Please let me know if you guys find one. would love to join and share experience.

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