Cooking Schools in Europe

European cuisine caters to a wide range of tastes. From Spanish tapas to Greek baklava, there is something to suit almost everyone. Cooking schools, suited for beginners and professionals alike, have sprung up in countries all over Europe. Aspiring chefs are spoilt for choice, with English-speaking chefs available to teach them the secrets of the culinary arts of Europe in anywhere from one day to two weeks.

Italy

Set in a fifteenth century Tuscan villa, Toscana Saporita teaches students the art of Italian cooking, specifically focusing on Tuscan cuisine. Programs offered include one-day cooking classes as well as week-long courses that include accommodation, lessons, meals and sightseeing tours of the area. These courses are advertised as cooking vacations, culminating in a graduation dinner during which students receive diplomas stating that they are "Authentic Tuscan Cooks."

France

Perhaps the most famous of all cooking schools in France, Le Cordon Bleu has grown from a small school in Paris to become an international sensation. Le Cordon Bleu is an institute of higher education in cooking, issuing graduates with Le Grand Diplome Le Cordon Bleu after completion of a one year course. Master Chefs, often from Michelin-starred restaurants, teach classes on topics like French cuisine, patisserie, modern cooking techniques and wines.

Spain

Epicurean Ways is a Spanish company with offices in the United States. The company gives one-day cooking classes in Spanish cities, including Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla, as well as longer cooking holidays. Students cook with Spanish chefs, learning to cook paella, gazpacho and tapas, among other dishes. Students on the cooking holiday tours also meet with winemakers, cheese makers and chocolate specialists.

Switzerland

The Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland develops students into top chefs, restaurant managers and culinary specialists through various degree programs. Students can undertake a nine-month program to obtain an Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts, and have the option of continuing towards the Swiss Higher Diploma in Culinary Studies. Courses cover basics, such as hygiene and sanitation, and build towards more complicated studies of international cuisine and menu planning.

The International Kitchen

This culinary travel company claims to have started the concept of 'cooking school vacations,' and runs courses all over Europe and beyond. Participants learn to create dishes from local market produce in Spain, work with Greek herbs and spices on the island of Poros, or whip up a spectacular seafood dish in Portugal. One-day classes are also available in Italy, Franc, and Spain, or as a shore excursion from a Mediterranean cruise.

References

• Europe's classic cooking schools
• Epicurean Ways
• Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland

Resources

• Best culinary schools in Europe
• Tuscan Saporita
• Le Cordon Bleu