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Learn the craft of Pastry chef with Internship Pathway

The Diplôme de Pâtisserie with Internship Pathway is a comprehensive two-pronged programme that combines intensive culinary training with extensive practical application, enabling students to learn French pastry-making techniques while mastering core skills such as supply management, production organisation and health and safety practices.

This programme consists of 5 incremental stages: the Basic Pastry Certificate, the Intermediate Pastry Certificate, a 3-month practical application period, the Superior Pastry Certificate, which includes a practical application period at Le Cordon Bleu Paris Hôtel de la Marine, and finally a professional internship. It prepares students for a wide range of careers, including working as a pastry chef, a private chef, a restaurant entrepreneur or a food critic.




Programme objectives:

Who is this programme for?


Key information

Entry requirements:

  • All applicants must be aged 18 years or older
  • The programmes are open to beginners, Experience or practical knowledge is not required
  • Applicants must possess a baccalaureate or equivalent
  • For the internship: students must obtain Level A2 in French at the end of the professional application
  • Having a B2 level in English or an A2 level in French Accepted language tests and score/level correspondence

Intakes: January, April, July, October
For late registrations (less than a week before the intake date), please contact our recruitment department at the following email address: paris@cordonbleu.edu.


Languages: The training programme is taught in French and consecutively translated into English during demonstrations and theory classes.

Diploma awarded: The Diplôme de Pâtisserie with Internship Pathway, institution diploma, is delivered by the Fondation Internationale Le Cordon Bleu.

Duration: 13 to 18 months

Tuition Fees: €34,200
These fees include the application fee (€1,500), learning material, equipment including the Sabatier knife kit uniform and all activities (conferences, demonstrations by guest chefs, visits and educational events).

Career opportunities:

Program Details

  • Programme Content

    Please note that it is possible to register for certificates, starting with the Basic Pastry Certificate

     

    Basic Pastry Certificate

    This certificate introduces students to the basic techniques of French patisserie, including:

    • Managing supplies and implementing good food hygiene and food handling practices.
    • Understanding the day-to-day time management techniques required to successfully work in a professional pastry kitchen.
    • Handling and using a range of standard equipment found in professional pastry kitchens to produce different types of pastries (including fillings and entremets, small cakes and other pastries, chocolates and viennoiseries).
    • Acquiring a range of professional techniques, including piping, glazing, decorating, as well as specific sugar work and chocolate work techniques.
    • Correctly executing preparation and baking techniques, notably using an induction stove and an oven to prepare products.
    • Attractively presenting pastries and pastry preparations.
    • Understanding and using professional French pastry terminology.
    • Demonstrating the kind of behaviour and attitude that would be expected in a professional pastry kitchen.
    • Organising work according to production requirements, both individually and as part of a team, which demonstrates the ability to integrate a working pastry kitchen.

     

    Intermediate Pastry Certificate

    Prerequisites: Basic Pastry Certificate

    • Managing supplies and handling ingredients in line with good food hygiene and safety practices.
    • Taking account of the space and time available when carrying out routine tasks in a professional kitchen.
    • Mastering the use of both the oven and the induction stove when preparing recipes.
    • Mastering basic pastry techniques to make ‘biscuit’ sponges, creams and ganaches.
    • Preparing and using mixes that include traditional ingredients such as chocolate, gelling and thickening agents, as well as more contemporary ingredients.
    • Making glazes and knowing how to use them to add the finishing touches to a recipe, and mastering the basic techniques of plating and presentation.
    • Understanding about ingredient origin and quality and recognising that using sustainable seasonal and local produce can help elevate preparations and pastries
    • Cultivating an eco-responsible mindset when selecting ingredients, and demonstrating the kind of behaviour and attitude that would be expected in a professional pastry kitchen.
    • Writing recipes using appropriate pastry terminology and professional methods whilst exerting creative freedom to create unique contemporary tarts.
    • Organising and delegating production tasks when working individually, in pairs or as part of a team, demonstrating the ability to integrate a working pastry kitchen.

     

    Practical Application

    The Practical Application module gives students the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills into practice in the workplace:

    • Perfecting the skills acquired during the Basic Pastry and Intermediate Pastry Certificates.
    • Implementing cross-disciplinary procedures, methods and techniques, and notably basic professional skills acquired in "Goods Receival & Storage", "Preparation Kitchen", "Cuisine Production" and "Customer Relations".
    • Maintaining a clean and well-organized workstation and equipment to meet food hygiene and safety standards.
    • Perfecting the procedures, methods and techniques required for “Preparation Kitchen” and for "Plating".
    • Acquiring hands-on experience in the “Receipt of Goods” and in the logistics of stock control.
    • Acquiring the practical customer relations skills that are required when greeting and advising customers.
    • Developing strong customer relations skills for greeting and serving customers.
    • Assimilating Le Cordon Bleu’s values and organization.
    • Assisting the Chefs with production and preparation tasks during practical lessons, workshops and culinary events.
    • Cultivating the kind of behaviour and attitude that would be expected in a professional pastry kitchen.

     

    Superior Pastry Certificate

    Whilst studying for the Superior Pastry Certificate, students complete a 5-hour Practical Application module at the Hôtel de la Marine each week.

    Prerequisites: Intermediate Pastry Certificate

    On completing the programme, students will be capable of:

    • Following good hygiene and food safety practices in compliance with workplace hygiene and food safety standards.
      Implementing effective solutions to address non-compliance with good hygiene and food safety practices.
    • Taking account of the space and time available to work efficiently in a professional environment.
    • Managing supplies, receiving goods and adopting an eco-responsible attitude.
    • Managing costs and waste.
    • Adapting a recipe data sheet to the number of covers.
    • Demonstrating the ability to prepare pastries, including:
        • Mastering preliminary preparations, using eggs and cutting fruit.
        • Making pastry, fillings and garnishes.
        • Crafting artistic pieces from both chocolate and sugar.
        • Attractively presenting pastries and bakes.
        • Mastering cooking techniques, including the ability to simultaneously use both an induction stove and an oven, as well as the ability to work with sugar and chocolate.
        • Giving classic desserts an original and modern twist.
        • Working with high-quality ingredients and incorporating them into a wide variety of recipes.
    • Communicating in a professional setting, including:
          • Integrating an operational business environment by demonstrating a solid understanding of the restaurant's structure and of the internal organisation of the kitchen and the workings of the team.
          • Mastering professional culinary terminology in order to understand the Chef's instructions and detail the tasks to be completed.
          • Writing recipes and recipe data sheets using the appropriate professional terminology and methods.
          • Demonstrating the ability to communicate responsibilities when working in pairs or within a team.
          • Welcoming customers, including presenting products and offering menu guidance.

     

    Internship: 4 à 6 months

  • Teaching and assessment methods
    Teaching methods

    The Diplôme de Pâtisserie with Internship Pathway is designed to help students acquire the specific skills required to pursue a professional career in pastry.

    A multidisciplinary approach is used throughout the programme, and all of the modules leverage interactive teaching methods.

    The programme includes:

    - Theoretical learning;

    - Practical application;

    - Development of the ability to work autonomously and responsibly.

     

    Teaching methods include:

    - Online and face-to-face theory classes taught by Le Cordon Bleu Paris Instructors and guest instructors.

    - Demonstrations led by Le Cordon Bleu Chefs to help students acquire practical methods.

    - A demonstration by a professional guest Chef.

    - An educational trip to Rungis International Market.

    - Online talks or demonstrations by Le Cordon Bleu Chef Instructors from around the world.

    - Ongoing support from the Chef Instructors when appraising work.

    The programme is centred around active student participation, both in real-life situations and simulated environments, notably to cultivate a responsible work ethic.

    Assessment methods

    Students are assessed on the operational skills required to obtain professional certification.

    All absences must be justified in writing. The Diplôme de Parcours Professionnel will not be awarded to students who fail to meet all the required standards.

    The student’s Point of Contact Chef is responsible for coordinating and approving assessments for the "Practical Application" module as a whole.

    The final assessment is based on the grades awarded at the four performance reviews: one half way through the programme and one at the end of the programme at the Quai André Citroën site; and one half way through the programme and then a final performance review at the Hôtel de la Marine site.

    Mid-programme performance review - Practical Application The student’s Point of Contact Chef conducts the performance review based on the assessments provided by each station manager. Each criteria is assessed against the standardised grading scale for professional skills, attitudes and requirements.

    The performance review with the student's Point of Contact Chef focuses on the student’s performance up to the day of the review, including their level of investment, their attitude, and their ability to take responsibility. It also assesses their strengths and weaknesses in relation to the standards expected.

    Final performance review - Practical Application: The student's Point of Contact Chef assesses the student’s Practical Application period at Quai André Citroën to determine whether or not the student can continue with an advanced Practical Application period at the Hôtel de la Marine, with the prospect of then going on to secure a professional internship on completing the Superior Certificate programme.

    Then

    Mid-programme performance review - Advanced Practical Application period at the Hôtel de la Marine: The student’s Point of Contact conducts the performance review based on the assessments provided by the supervisors at the Hôtel de la Marine site. The assessment measures accomplishments against the standardised grading scale for professional skills, attitudes and requirements.

    The performance review with the student's Point of Contact Chef focuses on the student’s performance up to the day of the review, including their level of investment, their attitude, and their ability to take responsibility. It also assesses their strengths and weaknesses in relation to the standards expected.

    Final performance review - Advanced Practical Application period at the Hôtel de la Marine and final approval: This performance review is conducted by the student’s main Point of Contact along with the student’s Point of Contact from the Hôtel de la Marine once the student has completed 60 hours of advanced Practical Application at the Hôtel de la Marine as part of the Superior Pastry Certificate programme.

    The final grade awarded is the average of all the grades awarded during the Practical Application periods at both Quai André Citroën and the Hôtel de la Marine.
    Both Practical Application periods must be successfully completed in order to access a professional internship at the end of the programme (module 5 of 5).

     

     

     

     

     

  • Statistics

    Graduation rate: 99,23% (out of a total of 131 students over the 4 terms of 2023)

Complete your training with the:

Term Dates & Prices

Select a date
2025
Mar 31, 2025 - Sep 30, 2026 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
Mar 31, 2025 - Jun 30, 2026 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
Jun 30, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
Jun 30, 2025 - Sep 30, 2026 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
Sep 29, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
Sep 29, 2025 - Mar 31, 2027 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
2026
Jan 5, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
Jan 5, 2026 - Mar 31, 2027 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
Apr 6, 2026 - Sep 30, 2027 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
Apr 6, 2026 - Jun 30, 2027 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
Jul 6, 2026 - Dec 31, 2027 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
Jul 6, 2026 - Sep 30, 2027 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
Oct 5, 2026 - Mar 31, 2028 ( Standard )
34,200.00€
Oct 5, 2026 - Dec 31, 2027 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€
2027
Jan 5, 2027 - Mar 31, 2028 ( Intensive )
34,200.00€

Testimonials

  • le-cordon-bleu-paris-ecole-art-culinaire-ancien-etudiant-georgios-papavgoulis
    As well as having had the opportunity to study in a multicultural environment, Le Cordon Bleu has given me the tools and the motivation to be able to achieve my future goal: Opening my own pastry store
    Georgios Papavgoulis
  • ozgegultekin
    My internship at Pierre Herme was an amazing experience for me. I sharpened the skills that I developed at the school during the 2 months I spent there. I worked in every department, from base production to dessert dressing and I also had the chance to meet and work with very strong and capable chefs.
    Ozge Gultekin, Pastry Diploma alumna
  • susan-holding
    I feel I had excellent training from some of the best chefs in the world and have excellent techniques. It wasn’t easy, and I appreciate the level of excellence that is expected to achieve the certificate for each course. I’m able to understand recipes and techniques written by any chef. The school had a tremendous reputation, and that is something I’ve very proud of.
    Susan Holding, Diplôme de Pâtisserie 1998
  • christina-washington
    There is so much that Le Cordon Bleu taught me. The Chefs at school helped me understand the foundations of French Pastry through detailed explanations. Most importantly, we were taught the importance of creativity. The skill to move away from traditional recipes and create our own. The practical classes drove us to put our knowledge to test and perfect our techniques. Along with the technical knowledge, Le Cordon Bleu taught me the importance of teamwork, attention to detail and most of all perseverance and patience because baking as they say is both an art and a science!
    Christina Washington, Diplôme de Pâtisserie 2016
  • molly-wilkinson
    Before going to culinary school, I only knew American pastries, such as cakes and cookies. This is not pastry. By going here, I loved how the program was set up because each semester we focused on certain types of cake and I found myself doing the recipe several times to where I really knew it and what to do with it. When I returned to the US, I found that my level of expertise was very high based on what I had learned, and it was easy to find a job.
    Molly Wilkinson, Diplôme de Pâtisserie 2013
  • amanda-bankert
    Le Cordon Bleu Paris gave me a comprehensive understanding of the building blocks of pastry. It gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and gave me the skills to enter high-level professional kitchens immediately after graduation.
    Amanda Bankert, Diplôme de Pâtisserie 2004

 

Last page update in February 2025
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