First week at Ferrandi, Paris
At last the week came when I would start my course at L’Ecole Ferrandi. Though I arrived a month ago and have been enjoying living in Paris, this is what I really came here for: a five month intensive culinary course at one of France’s top gastronomy schools and afterwards a ‘stage’ (internship) at one of the world’s top restaurants. I enrolled almost a year ago now on what will surely be a once in a lifetime adventure.
Ferrandi was founded in 1932 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry and when it moved to the Rue Ferrandi in Paris’ 6th Arrondissement in 1958 it acquired its current name. The school teaches culinary arts, separated into cuisine, patisserie and boulangerie; as well as all aspects of the hospitality industry such as restaurant management and front-of-house training to students from age sixteen to adults in continuing education. I have enrolled on the international program for the ‘diplôme de cuisine’.
The first day was mostly orientation, getting to know the layout of the labyrinthine school, meeting our chef-teachers and fellow class mates—who hail from all over the world. We were also given our uniforms, beautiful white affairs, complete with embroidered names and tall chef’s toques, and our equipment kits—which contain just about everything you could wish for, including three sizes of tweezer. After that it was straight into the cooking: lesson 1 knife skills.
I’ll keep you updated about the things that I am learning and the food that I am cooking, eating and experiencing.
