How much time
each week will I need to set aside to study in the program?
We have organized the readings, technique exercises and assignments
for the average student to complete in approximately 6 – 8 hours each week. We wanted you to be able to study over one weekend session or by putting in about
an hour each day. Our programs provide anywhere from 30 - 100+ hours of instruction, study, research and practice.
I have ethical/dietary restrictions. Will I still be able to make beautiful chocolates?
At Ecole Chocolat, we have seen an increase in students interested in working with chocolate and making chocolate products that meet special needs for both ethical or dietary reasons. Our students and graduates work in organic, fair trade, sustainable and functional (i.e., low/no sugar, ingredient-enhanced, raw, no GMO, gluten-free, vegan, etc.). In our programs, working with a specialized chocolate need or want is not a problem. Click here for more....
Are Ecole Chocolat programs accredited?
Because our students plan to work or open businesses in many different countries around the globe, we have not sought accreditation in any jurisdiction, as it is too difficult to achieve when there are literally hundreds of different government-approval systems. Accreditation in Canada, for example, would be of no use to our graduates outside of that country. If you're looking for registration funding, a few students have been able to secure funding from their governmental agencies for a private professional culinary school, as that category of educational institutions fits within the guidelines of their programs. You would have to research your own government regulations to see what is available.
Our school has been delivering programs since 2003 and is recognized in the chocolate industry for the quality of our programs, providing many opportunities for our graduates.
Does Ecole Chocolat offer internship or job placement
opportunities?
Yes. Our Master Chocolatier Programs offer you an opportunity to further train under the direction
of a master chocolatier in a professional kitchen. We also have
internship programs available to our graduates. Our strong ties in the fine chocolate industry mean that we receive periodic job postings for
our graduates.
Is there support available for graduates of Ecole Chocolat programs?
Yes, we have an EC team member responsible for a number of support programs. Everything from encouraging students to get to know each other during the courses via the Chef's Tables and Chat Rooms . . . to answering questions long after graduation . . . to sponsoring the EC Graduate Centre with its very active and lively Graduate Forum . . . to searching out internship opportunities . . . to the Professional Tempering Machine Forum with help on the most important machine a chocolatier uses . . . to featuring our graduates in media releases and social media . . . to the Graduate Page on this website. As an EC graduate, you are always a member of our family.
"To me, your support of the graduates in so many different ways is such a 'value-add,' in addition to the solid foundation you give students in the chocolate arts." Anna, 2010 Graduate
When are your programs offered during the year?
Each year we offer sessions of our:
Professional
Chocolatier Program starting January, March & August
Chocolate Making from the Bean Program starting April & September
Quality Assurance Program starting February & September
The Master Chocolate Programs are
offered periodically during the months of April/May and September/October.
These are the slow months in the chocolate industry calendar when the instructors for these special programs
can take time to provide educational opportunities.
Is there a restriction on the number of students who can enroll in each online program?
Even though the curriculum is online, we do cut off registrations when we reach a number our instructor and online tutors feel they will have adequate time to work with properly. Our programs usually fill about a week before the date they start. TO ENSURE A SEAT IN THE PROGRAM, you should register with your payment at least a week before the program start date.
How did we get our name?
Ecole Chocolat is French and means in English "Chocolate School." How is Ecole Chocolat pronounced? Ecole = /ekol/ Chocolat = /shokola/
Cancellation policy
You can cancel from the Professional Chocolatier, Chocolate Making from the Bean and Quality Assurance Programs up to three days before the start of the program. A refund of your registration fee, minus a 10% administration fee, may take approximately 10 working days to process. Because our programs are usually full – and in order to make sure all students are committed – on the start date of your program, your registration fee becomes non-refundable and non-transferable to another session (except in extraordinary circumstances). |
