FAQs

A student’s final grade is a combination of three assessments: 1) Written test 2) Performance evaluations and 3) Final exam. Students are also given a mark each day in their practical class.

The main objective of our programs is to cultivate a practical knowledge, appreciation and respect of French culinary techniques at the service of world cuisine. Our programs are designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop their culinary skills through a hands-on, practical approach in professional kitchens under the mentorship of world-class Chefs.

Students at Le Cordon Bleu learn from world class Chefs that were trained in the world’s finest restaurants and hotels. Small class sizes and a student-chef ratio of no more than 15:1 ensure students get personalized attention and coaching from their expert Chef instructors.

Students learn by watching professional Chefs prepare selected menus in demonstration classrooms featuring close-circuit cameras, mirrors and audio systems. Then students get to practice and replicate recipes in professionally equipped kitchens designed with individual work spaces.

Students participate in seminars on topics such as butchery, safety and sanitation, chocolate, taste, and wine. We also offer short courses that focus on a variety of topics and an intensive course where students can earn a basic cuisine or patisserie certificate in only 5 weeks.

Class hours run anywhere from 12–30 hours per week depending on the program, as follows:

Diplôme de Cuisine: approx. 15-18 hrs/wk

Diplôme de Pâtisserie: approx. 12 hrs/wk

GRAND DIPLÔME®: approx. 27-30 hrs/wk

Boulangerie: approx. 20 hrs/wk

The programs and courses taught at our International Le Cordon Bleu campuses follow the similar curriculum. A student can complete Basic Cuisine in Ottawa, Intermediate Cuisine in Paris and Superior Cuisine in London. While the course outline and recipes taught to the students may vary, the foundation and methodology are consistent and standard across all our schools.

All of the courses at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa are instructed in English by our French-trained chefs. Our students come from all around the world and, as such, English is used as a common language.

For International Students Only
Prospective Students must:

• A valid and official language score (TOEFL or IELTS Academic), TOEFL: 54 (internet based) or 480 (paper based), IELTS Academic: 4.5

Please be aware that our programs do not accept applications for placement at intermediate or superior levels, unless an applicant has successfully completed the prerequisite levels at one of our Le Cordon Bleu campuses. This policy is in place to ensure that all students have a solid foundation in French fine dining culinary arts before advancing to higher levels. While we acknowledge your extensive experience and expertise in the culinary field, our curriculum mandates that all students commence at the basic level. This approach ensures consistency, aligns with our teaching methodologies, and optimizes the learning journey for all participants. However, for the Diploma in Culinary Management (DCM) program, the institute does accept applications from external candidates with previous culinary experience and/or training. As an external applicant, it is mandatory to provide proof of significant professional experience in cuisine or pastry at the time of your application for the DCM program.

Schedules are distributed at the orientation session on the first day of class.

 

In order to apply for a certificate or diploma course, students must:

Be 18 years of age on or before the day the program commences;

AND

Have a diploma from an Ontario secondary school within the meaning of the Education Act or an equivalent diploma,

OR

Successfully complete a qualifying test.

Please also take note of our Application Process and the related requirements.

We recommend that we receive the application within a minimum of 4 - 6 months before the session begins. There are no set registration deadline dates, however, courses do fill up quickly. For international students, it is best to apply as soon as possible to ensure enough time to obtain a visa once the student has received a letter of acceptance into Le Cordon Bleu.

Students who do not have a high school diploma must pass the Wonderlic test, which is administered at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa.

The student must apply for a visa once he/she has received a letter stating that he/she has been accepted into Le Cordon Bleu.

Students must then contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate within their native country for a Visa Application

At Le Cordon Bleu we provide our students with the skills, training and mentorship necessary to launch them into their culinary careers. We have found that our students are better equipped upon graduation and their skills help them move up the career ladder faster. In order to become a professionally trained Chef, graduates must obtain practical experience in various restaurant and kitchen settings.

As a Registered Private Vocational School, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa is authorized to issue education tax receipts (Form T2202A in Canada). All Canadian students will be issued their T2202A form by mail. To ensure that the contact information given to us is relevant and up-to-date, please visit our Student Portal.

Yes, Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa does offer student housing. For more information on our accommodations, please email us at Ottawa-Admissions@cordonbleu.edu.

For Domestic Students Only: Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa accepts tuition fees payments via Flywire. Flywire is a secure and trusted online payment process. Any fees incurred towards payment transactions via Flywire, must be borne by the Student.

An international student must first complete and submit the application package.

Once the student has been accepted, he/she will receive an acceptance letter. Students must then contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate within their native country for a Visa Application

Please note that documentation and/or requirements may vary from country to country. To apply for a Student Visa, the student will need to supply the Canadian Immigration with ‘Letter of Acceptance’ – a letter that will be sent as part of the Registration Package once the application to our Institute has been accepted.

We encourage students to register with us and apply for a student visa well in advance of the start date of their first course. It may take a few weeks for students to receive their Registration Packages and possibly a couple of months for the visa to be processed. The ‘Letter of Acceptance’ will only list the courses and dates for which we have a received the application fee.

Recent changes to the Canadian Student Visa Program now permit international students to work up to 20 hours per week while studying in Canada. Additionally, these students may also work full time in between school terms.

Study permit holders in Canada may gain work experience by working off campus while completing their studies.

As of June 1, 2014, you may qualify to work off campus without a work permit. If you qualify, your study permit will allow you to work up to 20 hours per week:

• during regular academic sessions and
• full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break.

To qualify, you must:

• have a valid study permit,
• be a full-time student,
• be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level or, in Quebec, a vocational program at the secondary level, and
• be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration.

Read more about the details of the program:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp