The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

ducasse education french bakery and pastry program

restless baker's picture
restless baker

ducasse education french bakery and pastry program

hey guys , 

there is this institution in France called ,  ducasse education , here is the link 

http://ducasse-education.com/en/home/ 

and i want to apply for the bakery course in that place , but i have some concerns , so i thought maybe first i could discuss this with all you guys and get your feedback's on this matter first . 

here is the course info 

first of i wanna how good this institution is ? and if this course is advanced enough , because it seems to be so expensive and long , 3 years is a long time . i also have to pay for renting a place . so by the end of the 3 years i will go back to square one with no money  . 

i wanna know if it worth it or not . i wanna continue baking and make it my carrier and later on in future work as professional baker in different places . above all i must say that , there are places that i could learn a lot of baking and a lot of pastry here in my own country and so much cheaper . please guide me its so hard for me to decide . thank you guys . 

alg's picture
alg

Alain Ducasse is one of the big names, and the boulangerie patisserie program is no cake walk (pardon the pun).  

You mention that you want to "continue baking".... does that mean that you're currently working at a bakery or possibly as an apprentice? 

restless baker's picture
restless baker

Alain Ducasse is famous ??!! ... ok , i guess you are right . but even so , thats alot of money to pay . i mean i could learn it in so many other ways that are cheaper . right ? maybe even better ways . nope i haven't worked in a bakery but i certainly would like to . i have studied baking in a school for almost a year before . 

alg's picture
alg

I know what you mean about the costs.  Over 10 years ago, my wife enrolled me in an introductory  6-week intensive class specifically on artisanal bread baking, at the French Culinary Institute in New York.  I loved the class,and I learned a lot.  I took a look at the price tag for the full Boulangerie et Patisserie program, and it was a lot. I'm sure it was a complete program, which is why it was priced like the cost of 2 years at a community college. 

Now, things are different: there are more learning options, thanks to the internet:

1.  Places like TFL.  You can learn a lot from the experience of professionals and avid home bakers.

2. Accredited online courses.  But then again one has to be careful.  Many are simply scams, and thus 
a bit of research is needed.  For example, I don't know if  any of these are legit: 
-  http://www.eisf.fr/
https://www.my-mooc.com/fr/mooc/la-patisserie/  - This free MOOC already started; I don't see references for the next one. 

 

restless baker's picture
restless baker

Alg Thanks for the links , and i must say you are absolutely correct  . if i put my mind to it , with internet and practice i can do just great . TFL is a great place , still i hoped they used a different types of forum app instead of drupal . i have worked so hard for that money , and this institution is like going to university or something because its too expensive . 

bikeprof's picture
bikeprof

I think one of the most effective ways to learn is by getting a job at a bakery.  If you can find a good bakery where you learn to make the kinds/quality of things you are interested in, plan on committing at least a year.  Once you have solid skills and a good reference, then you can move on to more easily work at other places that inspire you.

All that said, I have taken 3, 5-day courses at SFBI, and while it is expensive, I loved every minute of it and learned a ton (getting an airbnb room for lodging made it much more reasonable cost-wise).

restless baker's picture
restless baker

dear bikeprof Airbnb is closed to my country because I live in Iran, I didn't expect that much. 

well as up for working in local bakeries, I have already tried that, it's not that easy because they are so worried due
to constant inspections from health and human services department ... so they kinda don't allow me in Lol.
these days I am looking for someone like a mentor.