Cordon Bleu chefs © Cordon Bleu

CERTIFIED TRAINING

To study to become a certified chef, there are three major culinary institutes in Paris: Cordon Bleu, Ecole Ritz Escoffier and Ecole Lenôtre. All three offer diploma courses in haute cuisine and patisserie. Students learn how to make traditional Gallic fare as it has been made for centuries.

Cordon Bleu Paris

For over 100 years, Cordon Bleu Paris has been training aspiring chefs from all over the world. For budding professionals, the institute has several three-month courses available. For complete professional training, it offers diploma packages including basic, intermediate and advanced alternatives in both cuisine and patisserie. For aspiring managers in hospitality and tourism there is also on offer a 10 month full time MBA in International Hospitality Management.

Amateur chefs wanting to perfect their skills can take part in specialized ateliers or watch demos by professional chefs. The school also hosts wine appreciation, market tours around Paris, and "Les Petits Cordons Bleus" workshops for children aged 8-12 years. All courses are in French but translators are provided for English-speaking and Japanese students.  A day courses cost between 129E-235E,  and now with the release of the Julie and Julia film, the school is offering a demonstration cooking course in honor  of Julia Child for only 45E. One can take more intense classes with their basic 10 week course in cuisine or patisserie the courses cost 7 900E and 5 900E respectively. If one wants to master the art of French cuisine, Grand Diplôme course is 37 855E.

Venue: 8, rue Léon Delhomme 75015 • Métro: Vaugirard • Tel: 01 53 68 22 50 •  http://www.lcbparis.com                         
 
Ecole Ritz Escoffier

Beneath the glitz and glamour of the Ritz Hotel, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier offers a variety of classes to begin or perfect one's training. Professional courses range from specialized modules in cuisine, pastry, or baking (2days-6 weeks) through to the comprehensive Superior Diploma (15 weeks). Recreational cooks can try "Ritz Saturdays," four hour classes in the morning or afternoon. Each teaches a series of recipes themed around a particular ingredient or dish. On Wednesday afternoons during school term, children aged 6-11 can take lessons with Les Petits Marmitons du Ritz and in just a few weeks will be making strawberries charlotte and citrus madeleines.  English translation is available at all levels.  Professional modules range from 1 000 to1 580E, while the superior diploma costs 27,880E.  Amateur classes start at 45E for adults and at 90E for children.

Venue: The Ritz, 38, rue Cambon, 75001• Métro: Concorde – Madeleine – Opera • Tel: 01 43 16 30  50 •  http://www.RitzEscoffier.com

Ecole Lenôtre

For professional training Ecole Lenôtre offers a variety of short, specialized courses (20-35hrs), as well as their 24-week intensive Grande Diplome, and consulting for culinary businesses.  On the recreational plane the Pavillon Elysée, on the Champs-Elysées, hosts a number of workshops for adults (3.5-9hrs), teenagers and children (1.5hrs).  Amateur classes start at 80E for adults and at 40E for younger chefs while the Grande Diplome costs 25 116E.

Venue: 10 avenue des Champs Elysées, 75008 • Métro: Franklin D . Roosevelt• Tel:  01 42 65 97 60 •  http://www.lenotre.fr

RECREATIONAL COOKING

If you have no intention of turning pro but would like to learn the tricks of the trade, then simply taking amateur classes with a chef is a fun alternative. Cooking courses allow students to start with the basics and slowly build up a repertoire of recipes. Usually taught in the chef's home, they constitute what amounts to a customized experience with generally no more than eight students to a class.

La Cuisine de Marie Blanche

For over three decades, Princess Marie-Blanche de Broglie has been teaching the French art of entertaining, leading classes in cooking, pastry, floral arrangement, table decoration and etiquette. (Rumor has it that Lady Diana took lessons there too). As well as daily programs where students prepare and share lunch, the Princess offers three diploma courses including the "Grand Diplôme Princesse Marie-Blanche de Broglie" which spans four weeks and comprises 20 cooking classes, eight pastry lessons, sessions in the "Art de Vivre”, appreciation of French cheese and wine, and a final graded exam.   A morning class is set at 155E while the grand diplôme sports a royal price tag of 3 500E.

Venue: 18, ave de La Motte-Picquet, 75007 • Métro: Ecole Militaire • Tel: 01 45 51 36 34 •  http://www.cuisinemb.com

L'Ecole de Cuisine d'Alain Ducasse

As the first ever chef to hold three michelen stars in three different countries simultaneously, Alain Ducasse is luminary. At his Ecole de Cuisine, opened in 2002, his handpicked staff teaches food lovers the magic of his current restaurants, Plaza Athénée in Paris and Louis XV in Monaco. The school offers morning, afternoon or full day courses in pastry, cooking and haute cuisine.  A complimentary shuttle service is available to transport you from Paris to the training centre in Argenteuil.  Courses (in French) range from 165 to 205E for a half-day and from 280 to 330E for a full day. For a romantic date, evening courses are also available for 165 to 205E.

Venue: 41, rue de l’AbbéRuellan, 95100 Argenteuil • Shuttle Stop: 73, boulevarde de Courcelles, 75008 • Métro: Courcelles • Tel:  01 44 90 91 00 • http://www.atelier-gastronomique.com
 
Patricia Wells

Patricia Wells’ courses are the ultimate of luxury food tourism packages. The cookbook writer and longtime International Herald Tribune journalist hosts a series of week-long cooking classes in her rue Jacob studio. For five days, students cook, visit markets, take part in wine and olive oil tastings and meet some of Wells’ favorite butchers and bakers. Wells also hosts week-long culinary gatherings in her house in Provence. Reservations must be made well in advance - She's already fully booked until 2010.  The fee for either the Paris or Provence course is $5,000.
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it • http://www.patriciawells.com

 Paule Caillat's Promenades Gourmandes

A US-educated bilingual Parisian with a passion for food, Paule Caillat teaches in her large fully equipped kitchen in the Marais. Her classes are laid-back and filled with professional cooking tips. Each morning starts with a trip to the market to buy ingredients. Pupils then prepare a large three-course lunch. After dining with a few carefully selected bottles of wine, the students have the opportunity to go on a promenade gourmande and visit some of Paule's favorite food places (Gérard Depardieu sightings have also been reported).  Prices start at 260E for a half-day class ending at 3pm and at 330E for full day classes ending at 6pm, while a gourmet walking tour sans class costs 110E . Tel: 01 48 04 56 84 • http://www.promenadesgourmandes.com

Les Coulisses de Chef avec Olivier Berté

After several years managing fine hotels, Oliver Berté is back in the kitchen and eager to pass on his passion.   In three hours, amateur chefs will typically learn to prepare a three course meal whose recipes infuse French classics with international spunk.  For children, the Wednesday afternoon classes are better priced than most.   As his distinguishing feature, however, Berté offers corporate group lessons in a selection of locations as glamourous as the Castle de Breteuil, in addition to private and group classes in the comfort of one’s own home.  American assistants are on hand to translate for those non-French students who account for fifty per cent of his clientele.  On site classes cost 100E for adults and 30E for children. In house lessons range from 30E p/p, not including ingredients, to 150E p/p for a lesson and the rest.

Venue: 7, rue Paul Lelong, 75002 • Métro: Bourse – Les Halles • Tel. : 01 40 26 14 00 • http://www.coursdecuisineparis.com

La Belle Ecole

La Belle Ecole is a fresh new school that takes a comprehensive approach to entertaining.  Their French gastronomy classes may be a little larger than usual (up to 14 students), but the convivial feel, the approachable staff, and the sites reminiscent of Grandma’s kitchen will ensure you a relaxed time.  For the truly aesthetically attuned hosts, be sure to consider the variety of other classes in Savoir-Vivre, which include the Art of Tasting, Floral Arrangement, Etiquette, Elegance, and Decorative Arts. Classes cost 70E (2 hrs) or 75E (2.5 hrs).

Venue: Various locations in the 8th , 11th , 12th and 16th arrondissements • Tel: 01 47 04 50 20 • http://www.labelleecole.fr

E-Diet Café

For those who’ve marvelled at the French paradoxe of devouring scrumptious food while maintaining a youthful figure, Frédérique Lauwerier offers classes with a unique, healthy twist.  Educated in nutrition, she designs elegant and balanced meals that are low in fat and sugar, but rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants and, most importantly, taste.  You won’t find confit de canard on the menu, but you will discover the creative potential of vegetables, poulty and fish.  And for the sweet tooth, learn to marry the natural goodness of fruits with tea-infused ice-creams.   

Classes are conducted in French and, with an espresso on arrival, music in the background, and a leisurely pace of work, they are relaxed and convivial.  The hands-on approach is particularly transferable to the home kitchen, with quality but readily attainable ingredients and the preparation of recipes from absolute scratch. And with Frederique’s enthusiasm for discussing diets in general, you’ll be well on your way to a delicious wellness and beauty.  Adult classes cost 90E (3 hrs) or 350E (5x3hrs), while students receive discounts at 65E (3 hrs), 300E (5x3hrs).  

Venue: 9, rue Charles V, 75004 • Métro : St Paul – Pont Marie • Tel : 01 42 74 07 85 • http://www.e-dietcafe.com
 
Atelier des Chefs

At this new school, experienced chefs impart their industry experience with various cooking and aperitif menus: from traditional French fare to Asian fusion, from cocktails to canapés.  The lessons are fast paced, hands on, and will enlighten you about crucial techniques often assumed by cook books.  The variety of menus and sessions is enormous: classes range from 30 minutes for one course, through to three hours for a take-home, 3-course dinner for two, (perfect for he who is desperate to impress on that in-house date).  Plus there are Saturday classes for children 8-12.  And with four locations across Paris, and the lowest prices around, expanding your repertoire has never been more convenient or affordable. Full prices start at 15E for a 30 min class but keep an eye out for industry sponsored classes, which are half price and sometimes include a souvenir bottle of wine.
Venue: Four locations in the 8th, 9th, 15th and 20th arrondissements; Also available in Bordeaux, Brussels, Lyon, Nantes • http://www.atelierdeschefs.com/

MOVEABLE FEASTS

For those who just love food, the culinary walking tour is a perfect way to learn about French food and sample its finest wares without getting your hands dirty. The walking part also makes up for any guilt one might feel in the face of such indulgence.
 
J'Adore le Chocolat

Vous adorez le chocolat? Then join published cacao connoisseur, David Lebowitz, for a tantalizing tour of Parisian chocolate boutiques and patisseries. The weeklong program offers promenades through the hidden laboratories of master chocolatiers, private Grand Cru chocolate tastings at the Maison du Chocolat, trips to markets, lunch in Normandy, and an evening on the Seine. A champagne reception in a Place des Vosges private home is even thrown in for good measure. A deliciously decadent experience. Prices are available upon request.

http://www.davidlebovitz.com  • Email: Jeannette Hermann at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Edible Paris

Edible Paris is an online service that provides gourmet itineraries tailored to your personal gustatory desires. Founder Rosa Jackson is a former restaurant critic and food expert.  She has edited four editions of the Time Out Eating and Drinking Paris guide and is very knowledgeable about the city. All one needs to do is send her an email with food likes and dislikes and she will provide a Paris itinerary ranging from traditional bistros to trendy hotspots and including specialty shops and markets. The itinerary comes complete with a map and because the tour isn't guided there is no set pace, allowing for impromptu café stops and whimsical detours. The tour is available for up to six people. The cost for a full day for two is around 200E.

http://www.edible-paris.com