Le Cordon Bleu (Paris or Ottawa)?

Question

I heard Le Cordon Bleu is an excellent school to learn and study culinary arts. I want to continue learning my passion for cooking and cuisine but also new things aswell. So I have a few questions:

1) If you attend LCB, can you learn Culinary, Pastry and Management (for resteraunts, etc) All at the same time? If you can, how long would this course take, and how much would it cost?

2) I am Canadian, and although Ottawa is closer to me (probably a few hours drive from where I live) I'd prefer to go to Paris - Is Paris a more prestigous place to get your Culinary degree? Do you think you can get a better position as a chef (higher pay, etc) if you go to Paris? Does Paris offer courses in English, because if they don't I won't be able to go. I know very basic french, and I wish to learn more over in Paris, do you think I can survive over there knowing very minimal of their language? Lastly, how much do you think living expenses will be in Paris? (Rent, food, entertainment, transportation,etc)

3) With an LCB diploma, do you think you can have a bright future as a chef? I know I would love to learn the arts of Culinary and then in the future open my own restaurant, and being the head chef, making my own menu and food items. If I'm passionate with cuisine and cooking, and study hard at Le Cordon Bleu (I mean practice cooking, and such) do you think I can attain this future? 

I may add more questions later, but that's it for now.
Thank you.

Mustang Driver · Accepted Answer

I would say it's one of the more prestigious places to go, but if I may suggest: either the Culinary Institute of America, or CIA, or Johnson and Whales in New England, I think in Massachusetts. I went to LCB in Minnesota, and we learned all of that stuff, it's actually in the course outline. They had an extension course for pastry chefs after I graduated, and I actually don't know if that is now part of the program or an extra. I would also suggest getting a job in a kitchen as a dishwasher. See what it's really like before borrowing a crapload of money.

C.M. C · Answer

Dj Pep. Welcome!
1. That's only part of the criteria.

2. For sure Paris is top line, and always updating, you better brush up on your French if you want to go there. Some of the recipe terminology of course will be French in Ottawa also.

3. It's not just the piece of paper that will give you that bright future. If you follow the patten,you will have a long way to go, you will have to suffer sacrifice, stress, long hours, very hard head chef's. You have to prove yourself in the field. Once you have done that your well on your way to great rewards.

Just remember, watch out for those nosy restaurant reviewers, we strike when you least expect it LOL

Good luck my friend.

Chris

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Le Cordon Bleu (Paris or Ottawa)?

2 Answers