Who Should Join

Our students have a wide age range, they come from very diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, yet they all have a common goal: learning from highly qualified instructors the skills and techniques required to become a professional culinary or pastry chef.

It’s never too late, or early, to change careers, and follow your passion. Most of our programs are designed for beginners and accessible to all. You will start with basics such as knife skills and stocks and sauces, then progress to increasingly advanced techniques as the programs move forward. Are you concerned you will not be able to do it? You will not be on your own. Our classes are small (maximum 20 students), and our chef-instructors and chef assistants will be there to help you every step of the way, to provide direction and guidance as you practice.

Whether you are a career-switcher aspiring to open your own restaurant, a culinary professional looking to broaden your skills in French cuisine, or a “food enthusiast” pursuing your personal interests and passions, the diversity of our student body contributes to the overall learning experience at ICDE.

We also offer dedicated intensive Chef Apprenticeships for our younger students who are pursuing their first career opportunity in the culinary arts.

Depending on which program they have completed, some of our former students will go on to work for prestigious fine dining establishments or luxury hotels, some will switch towards a culinary arts related career, and yet others will launch or continue to run their own business in the Food & Beverage industry. Our alumni include junior cooks, experienced chefs and restaurant owners, wedding and event planners, food bloggers, pastry boutique owners, etc.

Requirements to enrol in ICDE’s professional programs:

For our professional-level Certificate and Diploma programs, we typically request that students be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.

Across our locations, classes and reading materials are in English, so a good command of that language is necessary. In China, however, the Master Teacheris supported by a mandarin translator, and the course materials are available in mandarin as well.

Our professional programs require a significant time commitment from students (at least 2 full days a week – schedules depend on the location). Classes cannot be skipped, unless under exceptional circumstances, and students will therefore have to make sure they can follow up on the time commitment.