FAQs

 

1. Who can attend the French Pastry School? Do I need to have a culinary background?
2. In the L'Art de la Patisserie program, how much time is spent in the kitchen, and how much time in the classroom?
3. What does a typical day at The French Pastry School look like?
4. How many students in a class?
5. What are the total tuition costs?
6. Do you have to share equipment with other students?
7. Can I work while attending The French Pastry School?
8. Does The French Pastry School offer job placement assistance?
9. Where should I stay when I attend a Guest Chef Master Class or plan to visit the school?
10. Where do I park when visiting the school?

1. Who can attend the French Pastry School? Do I need to have a culinary background?
   There are no background requirements to be a great pastry chef. That fact is reflected in the diverse group that enters: some have culinary experience; over half are career changers. We have admitted lawyers, actors, cooks, police, 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.
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2. In the L'Art de la Patisserie program, how much time is spent in the kitchen, and how much time in the classroom?
   Over 90% of the 24 weeks are 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.
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3. What does a typical day at The French Pastry School look like?
   The class begins with mise en place, a French term meaning to prepare for cooking. You will scale ingredients for the day. Then, the first demonstration for the day begins, after which you go back to your station and begin to make product for the day. The chef and chef assistant are always on hand to help you. During the six hour class you may observe up to 2-3 demonstrations and make a range of products.
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4. How many students in a class?
   We have 16 to 18 students in a class, which allows you to form a close relationship with the chefs in a focused environment.
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5. What are the total tuition costs?
   We believe you should pay one tuition fee. We have a tuition fee of $21,500 that includes all classes, chefs uniforms, an apron, all course materials, a knife and tool kit. After you arrive here there are no additional fees. The $150 non-refundable application fee and the $3,850 required as a deposit is credited toward the tuition fee.
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6. Do you have to share equipment with other students?
   Our students work in pairs. Each pair has a Kitchen Aid mixer, Spring induction stove and a range of small equipment. We have no shortage of equipment to produce your pastries.
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7. Can I work while attending the French Pastry School?
   While we 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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8. Does The French Pastry School offer job placement assistance?
   The Chef Instructors build personal relationships with each of their students and offer in-depth assistance with career planning, From there, we partner with our students to target employers, provide introductions, or offer advice to start a business. Even after you leave these relationships with the chefs continue as they make phone calls and provide counsel and advice. Using our network and experience to place our students and help them reach their aspirations is important to us.
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9. Where should I stay when I attend a Guest Chef Master Class or plan to visit the school?
   The French Pastry School is located in downtown Chicago. There are many hotels to choose from. We have located a few for you.
   
   Best Western River North, at 125 W. Ohio St. #800-727-0800. Ask for Reservations and mention you are visiting The French Pastry School. They offer visiting FPS students/visitors the rate from $95 - $129 a night including free parking, free full American breakfast and free wireless internet. The Best Western River North is about 1.5 miles from the school. These rates are dependent on room availability.
   
   Holiday Inn – Chicago Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans St., #312-836-5000.  The Holiday Inn is about one mile from the school. Ask for Reservations and request The French Pastry School Rate. Depending on availability, they’ll offer you a 20% discount on current room rates. You may also email your reservation request to ptorres@martplaza.com.
   
   Hotel 71 – 71 East Wacker, #312.346.7100. Depending on availability, Hotel 71 offers visiting French Pastry School students a rate of $154 - $269 per night for single or double occupancy rooms. A convenient location, about one mile from the school, with great views of the city and Chicago River, this hotel offers many luxurious amenities.
   
   Chicago Metro Crowne Plaza – 733 W. Madison, Chicago, IL, 60661, #312-829-5000. The Crowne Plaza offers visiting students and guests to The French Pastry School a discounted rate of $159/night. To reserve a room, click here.
   
   Club Quarters, 111 W. Adams Street, #312 214-6400. Search for rates at this hotel, located just a couple blocks away from the school, online through Hotels.com, Travelocity, or Expedia. Their rates start at $84 per night. You may reserve a room ONLY through the internet in order to get their special club rate.
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10. Where do I park when visiting the school?
    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.
    Traders Self-Park at 326 South Wells Street is less than a block from the school. There are entrances to this garage from Wells (just south of Jackson), Van Buren (in between Wells and Franklin) and Franklin (just south of Jackson). See map.  Day-long parking is normally $18 to $23 per day, but with the school discount, visitors pay $12 a day (up to 12-hour period) and $5 on evenings and weekends (after 3:00pm M-F and all day weekends). Contact us to learn how to obtain the required pass for your discount.
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