"Overall, I thought the experience was the most amazing experience of my culinary life!

I really learned so much and couldn't believe how wonderful all the other students were!"

–Ellen, 2012 Graduate

"Not only was I inspired by what I learned in the workshop. . .

. . . I also feel like I absorbed so much throughout my trip when we visited the various shops and cafes. I am excited to experiment more with making a gianduja that is as close as possible to the italian version and I intend to make this a major component/attraction of my business."

– Andrea, 2011 Graduate

"Yes! Yes! and Yes! Excellent.

It was getting to the point where I knew that we needed new product, but I wasn’t sure where to start. I needed inspiration. The program not only gave me direction but also the chance to recharge my batteries and get excited about our business. The other travelers provided a lot of ideas and great camaraderie."

–George, 2010 Graduate

Italy – This one-week (six-night) experience is an opportunity to learn from Italian master chocolatiers. The program combines intensive hands-on training at the ICAM Choco Scuola with travel to Turin to visit important Italian cioccolatieri in their cioccolateria and laboratories.

September 15 - 21, 2013

Next program is September 15 - 21, 2013

Registration Fee (does not include travel to and from Italy):

Single Occupancy: 3365 € per person
(shared rooms may be available at a rate of 3131 € per person if we are able to pair participants with an appropriate roommate)

Registration is now open for this program.

Ecole Chocolat students and graduates should refer to the program overview in Learning Centre for registration.

If you are NOT an Ecole Chocolat student or graduate and do have experience in chocolate work please contact us at: to arrange for enrollment in this program.

Non-refundable Deposit of $1000.00 is due no later than June 30, 2013 in order to hold a seat.

Registration Fee includes:
Hands-on training at the ICAM Choco Scuola in Lecco on Lake Como, including chocolate factory tour
Immersion in Gianduja and Chocolate factories in Turin
Six nights accommodation
One Dinner
Five lunches
Breakfast daily
Ground transportation

"With Judy Witts as the most amazing guide/history teacher/walking encyclopedia, we were able to set foot into the sacred domain of the artisan Italian chocolatiers workshops in Turin – a complete impossibility without her. " Susan, 2009

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This program is delivered in English. We provide a culinary- trained interpreter if the Chef is not comfortable in English.

Traveling Companion must be adults - 17 years of age or older and their registration includes:
Immersion in Gianduja and Chocolate in Turin
Six nights accommodation
One Dinner
Two Lunches
Breakfast Daily
Ground Transportation

Also note that the program involves a lot of standing for long periods and walking (with bags at times) so good mobility and strength are important. Because we go into small towns, access for the handicapped is minimal.

Our minimum requirement for this program to run is 4 students and the maximum is 7 students (traveling companions are not included in minimum or maximum number). You'll want to wait to book and confirm your flight schedule to Italy until we confirm that the minimum number of students have registered.

Prerequisite: Ecole Chocolat Professional Chocolatier Certificate of Achievement or equivalent qualifications.

Master Chocolatier Program Certificate:

Students completing the program will receive an Ecole Chocolat Master Chocolatier Certificate of Achievement.

Cancellation Policy:

Our Ecole Chocolat Master Chocolatier Programs only accommodate a limited number of students and are usually full, with a waiting list. As these programs involve a travel component, we need to contact those on the waiting list in enough time for them to make travel arrangements. If you have to cancel, we'll do everything in our power to find a replacement but we can't guarantee that we'll be successful. No refunds will be given after 45 days prior to the program start date. Make sure you're totally commited to the program before paying your registration fee. We also suggest that you take out travel insurance when booking your travel to and from the program country, in case of an emergency.

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Are you interested in qualifying for this hands-on program?

The Ecole Chocolat Professional Chocolatier Program is the only program of its kind that allows you to start learning professional gourmet chocolate making in your own home through our part-time, 100% online program.

In 1946, Silvio Agostoni, together with his wife and two brothers, set up a small company, ICAM, for the production of chocolate. Along with expanding their chocolate production with a focus on quality, ICAM has established itself as one of the most important organic chocolate manufacturers in the world. ICAM's chocolate is used by the top cioccolaterie and pastry chefs in Italy.

Our hands-on work in the laboratory at the ICAM Choco Scuola will be focused on the professional praline program. We'll also be visiting the ICAM chocolate factory.

The program takes place around Eurochocolate so you can extend your itinerary to include Italy's most famous chocolate festival.

Itinerary:

**Legend for meals included in your tour: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

* Itinerary subject to change. Every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as it appears here; however, the final itinerary may vary due to schedules, availability and factors beyond our control.

Sunday:

Independent arrivals at tour hotel in Milan.

Monday: B,L,D

We travel to Turin in the moring and explore as much cioccolaterie, cioccolato and gianduja as possible. Overnight in Turin with Welcome Dinner.

Tuesday: B, L

Another chocolate-saturated day in Turin and in the afternoon we travel to Lecco and check into our hotel. Lecco is a beautiful Italian town on Lake Como. Free night for dinner in Lecco at its many cafes and ristorantes.

Wednesday and Thursday: B,L

After a morning tour of the ICAM chocolate Factory, we start our program at the ICAM Choco Scuola. Free night for dinner in Lecco on both nights.

Friday: B,L

Full day of classes with lunch at ICAM Choco Scuola. In the evening after class we travel back to Milan to check into our hotel. Free night for dinner in Milan.

Saturday: B
Independent departures from Milan hotel.