About the school :

The French Pastry School offers you the rare opportunity to learn the art of pastry in an intimate setting, being personally mentored by masters in their field. Your skills will be finely honed through hands-on practice and repeated exposure to the best pastry techniques, tools, and ingredients. Our school is dedicated only to the art of pastry, and it is our goal to be the finest pastry school in the United States, producing the best-prepared professionals entering the industry.

The French Pastry School's programs are approved by the Illinois Community College Board through Kennedy King College at City Colleges of Chicago. Students in our full-time certificate programs earn from 16 to 24 college credit hours.

The French Pastry School, located at 226 West Jackson Boulevard, on the northeast corner of Jackson and Franklin in the City Colleges of Chicago building, is conveniently situated near a parking garage that provides a discount to our visitors.

Eligibility :

There are no background requirements for becoming a great pastry chef. That fact is reflected in the diverse group that makes up our student body: some have culinary experience; over half are career changers. We have admitted lawyers, actors, cooks, police officers, students, bus drivers, chefs, consultants, and homemakers. We mold your raw talent and drive. Your selection is driven by your desire to learn the venerable art of French pastry with some of the finest chefs in the world.

Scholarships Offers:

Students of The French Pastry School come from across the nation and many parts of the world, and a wide variety of backgrounds. What they share is a passion for pastry. Thanks to the continuing sponsorships and donors to For the Love of Chocolate Foundation, many students, who otherwise would not be able to afford the top education in pastry, are able to apply for scholarships and obtain the training that will enable them to achieve their dreams in a new or continuing career.

Each year, the foundation holds an annual fundraiser to help supply future scholarships. Coming up on February 25, 2012, The French Pastry School will once again host the unique and exciting event, For the Love of Chocolate where guests can see what’s new in the incredible Cocoa Cuisine, Cocoa Sutra and Cocoa Candy Land.

Learn more about how to sponsor the foundation, or to renew your sponsorship.

For more information please visit www.fortheloveofchocolatefoundation.org.

The Course and Programs :

Over 90% of any full-time certificate program is spent in the kitchen. We believe in teaching most of the theory in the kitchen, where the chefs demonstrate, tell stories and show you examples of success and failure.

L’Art de la Pâtisserie

The Professional Pastry and Baking Program
a 24-Week Certificate Program
More Details >

L'Art de la Boulangerie
The Artisanal Bread Baking Course
an 8-week Session
More Details >

Continuing Education

3 to 5 day courses Accredited by the American Culinary Federation
Specialty 3 to 5 day Courses for Food Enthusiasts
Specialty 3 to 4 day Courses for Professionals

More Details >

International Students

The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago is pleased to accept international students to its full-time programs, the 24-week L'Art de la Pâtisserie and the 16-week L'Art du Gâteau, as well as to the 8-week course, L’Art de la Boulangerie. Click here to view some key facts on one of our most recent graduates. International Students are required to take a few additional steps in the application process.

This process might take anywhere from 6-9 months. Should you have any questions feel free to contact us at info@frenchpastryschool.com.

Other facilities -

While they encourage working during the program to gain experience in the field, all students must assess their individual capacity for extra physical and/or mental activity. Students must ensure that working will not negatively impact their performance as students.

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