Housed in one of the most elegant hotels in Paris and named after the father of French cuisine, Auguste Escoffier, the Ritz Escoffier School offers classes for professional chefs and amateur gourmets. If you are visiting Paris, check out one of the many cooking workshops focusing on a particular technique or type of meal, such as "Fitness, Health and Flavor," "Extreme Chocolates" or "7 to 9 Pastry." Workshops range from two to four hours and involve learning about ingredients and techniques, preparing and cooking a meal, then eating your creations with a glass of fine wine at the end of the class. The classes are in French with an English translator, and the classrooms are beautiful as well as functional with navy blue top-of-the-line appliances and antique copper pots. The Ritz also offers cooking classes for children, and if you prefer a liquid meal, cocktail mixing classes by the famous Hemingway Bar mixologists.
Ritz Escoffier School
15 Place Vendôme
Paris, France 75001
011-33-01-43-16-30-30
ritzparis.com
Founded in 1896, The Cordon Bleu's philosophy is "l'Art de Vivre," or the Art of Living Well. In classes at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, you'll learn how to cook using modern methods while appreciating the traditions of classical French cooking. Choose from dozens of hands-on courses ranging from two hours to two days in length. A few examples include Food and Wine Pairing, Desserts in a Glass, French Regional Cuisine Discovery and The Chef's Choice-Foie Gras. Professional chefs can obtain their Le Grande Diplome Le Cordon Bleu in under a year of study, and join the ranks of Michelin starred chefs who have graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. Julia Child also studied here and received her degree in 1950. The classes are in French and English.
Le Cordon Bleu
8 Rue Léon Delhomme
Paris, France 75015
011-33-01-53-68-22-50
cordonbleu.edu
Lenotre is one of the most famous patisseries in Paris. To pass on the art of making delectable desserts, Gaston Lenotre founded the Lenotre Culinary School in 1971. Today, in an elegant mansion constructed in 1900 off the Champs Elysees, you can learn how to create macarons, a Parisian specialty, home-made ice creams and pastries, like millefeuilles, as well as terrines and foie gras in half-day cooking classes. A rudimentary knowledge of French is helpful, although the detailed examples and small class sizes may make it easy for you to follow even if you are not fluent in French. Professional classes are also available in 50 different area of expertise including confectionery, catering and bread making. Professional classes are three to five days in length.
Lenotre Culinary School
10 avenue des Champs Elysées
Paris, France 75008
011-33-01-42-65-85-10
lenotre.fr
