A reader writes asking if there is a chocolatier school in Texas. I don’t know of any program for chocolate only, but there are a number of culinary schools with programs in pastry/baking and dessert and some of these schools offer concentrations in chocolate....

A good resource for cooking schools is cookingschools.com. On the home page, restrict the search to Texas to get a listing and then search on the word “chocolate” using the browser’s page search.

Perhaps the best-known school on the list is the Alain & Marie Lenotre Culinary Institute, located in Houston. However, the Culinary Institute of Austin also appears to offer a chocolate concentration - you’ll have to inquire directly to learn more about these programs.

Previous Questions and Answers:

1. What can you tell me about the on-line chocolatier courses offered by Ecole Chocolat? Are they worth the $$$ if one is interested in a career in chocolate making?
   Posted by  on  08/03  at  11:47 PM
2. Several people have asked this question in the past couple of months. I have not personally taken them, but I have heard from a very reliable source that Pam Williams knows her stuff and that the programs are well organized and presented. That said, the online-only courses are probably not a direct replacement for hands-on instruction with a practicing chocolatier. However, as an introduction to professional techniques the online course is a comparatively inexpensive way to learn more than just the basics. In my opinion, the best way to use the online course would be to then follow it up with hands-on classroom instruction (either the ones Pam offers in Vancouver or in France) or an intern/externship with a good local chocolatier. The online course will provide you with a good grounding so you can take greater advantage of the more intense professional instruction/experience.
   Posted by  on  08/06  at  10:09 AM
3. I would like to take a short course (2-3 days) on chocolatier in Belgium, are there any informatin on school which held this course ? Thank you. :: Anny; Barry-Callebaut has a training academy in Belgium and they offer courses at at least three different levels from beginner through advanced. Go to http://www.barrycallebaut.com then click on "Chocolate For the Professional" and then "BC Institutes" to find out more about "The Chocolate Academy." ::Clay
   Posted by  on  02/22  at  06:15 AM
4. I would like to take up the Choclatier's course in India.and a course in sugar craft too. Jatinder; I have not spent much time researching the places where it is possible to take classes in chocolate and sugar craft in India. There is a three-year program in Pastry at the Academy of Culinary Education in Goa (http://www.acegoa.com/) but that might not be what you want; it's a place to start, though, and they might know of places that might fit your needs better or have a program for you, it was not easy for me to tell from their site. Another option would be to contact the executive pastry chef at a nearby international #### to see if they know of anything. :: Clay
   Posted by  on  02/28  at  09:35 PM
5. Anny: Barry-Callebaut has a training academy in Belgium and they offer courses at at least three different levels from beginner through advanced. Go to http://www.barrycallebaut.com then click on "Chocolate For the Profesional" and then "BC Institutes" to find out more about "The Chocolate Academy." ::Clay
   Posted by  on  03/01  at  11:26 AM
6. Jatinder: I have not spent much time researching the places where it is possible to take classes in chocolate and sugar craft in India. There is a three-year program in Pastry at the Academy of Culinary Education in Goa (http://www.acegoa.com/) but that might not be what you want; it's a place to start, though, and they might know of places that might fit your needs better or have a program for you, it was not easy for me to tell from their site.
   Posted by  on  03/01  at  11:34 AM
7. I am interested in becoming a professional chocolatier. Could you guide me to a few of the best schools would? I don't want a one week or two day course - I want to get an excellent education for a career in chocolate. Thank you. Tamara
   Posted by  on  04/30  at  05:54 AM
8. Tamara :: As near as I know, there are no chocolatier schools like the one you're looking for in the US. More common are programs are in Pastry and Baking with some portion of the curriculum in chocolate. The major chocolate companies offer short (week long) courses; Valrhona and Chocovic come to mind and Barry-Callebaut has something they call The Chocolate Academy but that's a short program, too. The best thing to do is to get as much instruction in these shorter programs as you can and then go apprentice yourself. If you've got a strong grasp of the basics you'll be able to get a job where you can learn everything you need to know - as well as commercial production skills. Try starting online with Pam Williams of Ecole Chocolate and then take her class in Vancouver. From there take other short courses in other locations and practice at home until you feel you've mastered the basics well enough to apprentice yourself. That's how all of the best people I know have done it. :: Clay
   Posted by  on  05/10  at  08:11 PM
9. Hi Clay I would to find out if there are Chocolatier vacation courses for beginners(about a week or less) either in USA or Europe or even Australia like e.g. the Italian Culinary vacations, Provence cultural tours being offered in Europe for holiday makers. I would like to have an idea of what it is all about and if the world of chocolatier is for me before I sign up for any courses. Thanks very much for your time. Best Regards Sun Chan :: Sun; There are some chocolate-themed tours, but none of them offer instruction in chocolate making. Sounds like fun and something I should look in to. :: Clay
   Posted by  on  06/11  at  11:17 PM
10. I would like to take an online course but Iam not sure of being able to access the ingredients required while Iam being taught and this may lead to a bad percentage by which I will not be able to participate in the maitre course. I do not want any set backs as iam much too passionate about this course. Thanx, reply soon. :: Tanuja; Having never taken one of these courses I can't tell you what the requirements are for ingredients. Why don't you contact one (like Pam Williams' http://www.ecolechocolat.com in Canada) and ask her that question. She can let you you know what's needed and you can assess whether or not you can get what you need where you live. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  08/26  at  11:58 PM
11. Is there a chocolatier school, or courses, anywhere in England? :: Heather; I am sure there are and I'd look for them the same way you would ... using a search engine. There is Le Cordon Bleu in London (http://www.lcblondon.com) for a start. Try talking to the exec pastry chef at a top restaurant or pop into a gourmet shop you like ... Rococo or some such. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  08/30  at  09:25 AM
12. Hi, I wanted to know if there are any chocolate making schools in India and if yes!!!!!Where??? I desparately want to get into this industry but dont have the know-how! Please help me with anything that you may have for me on this! Regards, Sujatha :: Sujatha; I responded to this question for another person living in India, Jatinda. Take a look. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  09/04  at  04:05 AM
13. please could u send me the names of the best chocolate schools (only choco without pastry)in france or switzerland? thank u Rana; See the answer below. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  09/29  at  04:28 PM
14. hi could you plz telll me abt chocolate making courses in switzerland? ( only chocolate making not pastrt). thank you....... :: radhika; Your best bets are to contact a chocolate manufacturer directly or look for a culinary school. I understand that Felchlin, in Schwyz, offers classes and may know other resources for you. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  11/08  at  10:48 AM
15. Please let me know where i can join a chocolatier course in India. :: Rita; This has been answered twice previously in this thread. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  11/22  at  08:15 AM
16. I am currently working in Japan to save enough money to open a chocolate cafe in Canada but would like to apprentice before I start my business. I've taken Ecole Chocolat's program but don't know how to go about looking for an internship. Any suggestions? :: Brit; Have you approached Mary's Chocolates? (http://www.mary.co.jp). There are many aspects of opening a chocolate cafe. Is making your own chocolates what you want to do as well? :: Clay
    Posted by  on  12/05  at  03:14 AM
17. respected sir, i want to establish a good chocolate indudstry in Pakistan.i think there is not a single industry which is producing a Europian standard chocolate in Pakistan.please guide me to take inital steps regarding this.please also remark institutes in hungry or romania.it will cost low feeses.thanks shahid pakistan it is a very good dite for the beginners like me. Shahid; When you say chocolate industry what do you mean? Do you want to manufacture chocolate (from beans)? Or do you want to make confections (truffles), or both? Before I can make any suggestions I need to know these answers. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  01/18  at  08:46 AM
18. Triton Community College in Maywood, Illinois offers a six-week course in confectionery arts. Retail Confectioners International, Glenview, Illinois sponsores ongoing educational programs in chocolate and candymaking. Check the RCI website at retailconfectioners.org.
    Posted by Van Billington  on  01/24  at  01:06 PM
19. HAI I AM LOOKING FOR SMALL CHOCOLATE MAKING MACHINES HANDY AS WELL AS OPERATIONAL FRIENDLY.I WANT TO LOOK THE PHOTOGRAPHYS OF THOOSE MACHINES. CAN GIVE ME SOME MACHINE MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE AS WELL AS SOME GOOD RECOMMENDATION.
    Posted by lakshmi narayanan  on  02/08  at  04:44 AM
20. is there a institute by the name of the wolf in switzerland who teaches chocolate making
    Posted by  on  02/21  at  01:26 AM
21. i want tostart a small scale business retailing home made chocolates and cakes can u help me out by suggesting some courses and some manufacturers of chocolate making machines
    Posted by pooja  on  02/21  at  02:20 AM
22. Hello, please send us some chocolate of your factory. After all we are familiy how are you? Bye bye tamara callebaut and the family :: Tamara, I am sorry but that is one service I do not provide as I do not manufacture chocolate. Are you a part of the Canadian side of the family or the Belgian side? :: Clay
    Posted by  on  03/21  at  07:00 AM
23. Please supply me with the address of a chocolate shool in Europe or the Middle East where I can take a crash course in the art of chocolate making. Thank you Ayed Amr
    Posted by  on  03/30  at  03:12 AM
24. I'm becoming a pastry chef and am interested in doing a detailed chocolate course in Sydney, Australia. If you know of anyone who i could contact with this information could you please let me know.
    Posted by  on  04/02  at  12:37 AM
25. i am an ex student if le cordon bleu london i have worked thereafter at a chocolate company and grodon ramsays restaurant at strand i would like to learn professional choclaterie and intend to start my own small sacle business and teach guide me for related short erm courses in london only with names of instustutes and adresses along with course structure and fees starting june end july 2006 as i will be in london at the time :: Anupa, With all due respect, while I might be willing (and able) to provide you with some leads to professional programs in chocolate in London (I am in New York) don't you think it's a little much to ask me to provide course outlines and fee structures? If you want to become a chocolatier badly enough you not only have to have the passion for it but you need to do your homework. When considering a chocolate school (as should be the case with any school, actually) what is most important is who is doing the teaching. Go someplace to work with people you admire and respect who motivate and inspire you. Those are questions I can't even begin to hope trying to answer. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  04/02  at  07:26 AM
26. i am looking at the ecole school online and cannot find the full tuition price anywhere how much is the full program? i live in seattle and would love something local as well do you know of anything?

    
    :: Rachel: 
    
    The cost and timing of the next online session at Ecole Chocolate can be found at
    http://www.ecolechocolat.com/enroll.htm .
    
    A number of people I know have taken the course and recommend it. Pam also
    does an in-person course in Vancouver once you've taken the online course.
    The best bet locally is to look into cooking schools to see if they offer a program,
    I don't know anything in particular.
    
    :: Clay
    

    Posted by  on  05/04  at  08:22 PM
27. hello clay. i am interested in making chocolate confections. but what would be a better place to start. working under some professional or studying it. either way please recommend schools/professionals in milano italy.
    Posted by  on  05/06  at  05:58 AM
28. I see that many people are interested in learning to work with chocolates. I also see that Callebaut is mentioned in many of the postings. I'd like to add that Callebaut also offers short-courses (3-days) in Montreal, which may be more approachable to many of us in US. These programs are hand-on classes and if you are lucky and your class is not overcrowded you may learn something. :: Georgette: Thanks for this tip. Here is the link on the Barry-Callebaut web site for people interested in contacting them about classes: http://www.barry-callebaut.com/35 In addition to classes in Canada, there are classes in Belgium, the UK, France, Poland, Singapore, and the UK. Courses range from beginner through advanced. :: Clay
    Posted by  on  06/06  at  08:11 PM
29. please tell me of sugarcraft schools in switzerland (other than fabilo school) where i can take sugar courses (better be in geneva or zurich) ... thanks in advance
    Posted by  on  07/06  at  09:17 AM
30. Hi, I am looking forward to beginning my own business in the chocolate industry but I do need to improve my skills. I am im Portugal and can´t find any schools around. Where could I go closer to Portugal. Also, I don´t have much time for a long course. Thanks!
    Posted by  on  10/18  at  04:02 PM
31. RE : importing Chocolate from Belgium Hi Clay, Thanks for the prompt reply. I have tried contacting Callebaut at there Singapore branch and they put me on to a distributor in NZ. Their cost for 72% couverture works out to be about $NZ22/kg about $US15/kg. Do you think that is a good price? Regards Phil

    Phil, 
    If I understand you correctly, the NZ distributor wants to charge
    you NZ$22/kg for the 72% couverture. I don't know how that
    compares with other products in NZ, but it's high for the US.
    
    I can buy a 5kg block of 71% at retail (online) for US$69.75, or
    about 20% less than you appear to be paying wholesale. A lot
    of this might be due to shipping costs, but also the import tax
    structure in NZ. I would take a look (if you can) into how tariffs
    are calculated on imported chocolate. In the US it is based on 
    sugar content (to protect the domestic sugar industry) - the higher
    the sugar content the higher the import duty.
    
    Here is a link to some comparative online retail US$ pricing data:
    http://www.chocosphere.com/Html/Products/callebaut.html
    
    I have a tendency to underprice the products I sell because I have
    very low overhead and don't take a large stock in anything. When
    I sold the Cocoa Barry named-origin Tanzanie a couple of years
    ago, I bought a kg from a local distributor at about US$8.50 and
    sold it for $15 when others were selling it for $22-$30!
    
    There are many countries where there are multiple importers
    because the country is large enough. Not sure about NZ, but
    there might be an opportunity for a North Island/South Island
    split. If you do want to import, you probably also want to think
    about currency arbitrage to make sure you don't lose your
    shirt when exchange rates change against your position.
    
    :: Clay
    

    Posted by  on  10/19  at  01:51 AM
32. Just to note that Wilton offers classes, including those in chocolate, fondant, pulled sugar and cake decorating. They have their own instructors along with famous instructors like Colette Peters. The school is in Illinois, about 25 miles out of Chicago. Just go to their website: Wilton.com and click on their classes. The popular ones fill up fast, but they will put you on a waiting list.
    Posted by  on  11/12  at  03:59 PM
33. I forgot to mention the Notter School in Orlando for classes in chocolate, desserts, cake decorating, etc. Their prices are a little higher than Wilton, around $800 for the chocolate class. They do require a 50% deposit to register and give you a list of a couple of places to stay that will give you discounts as a student of the school. They also have famous instructors there, more so than Wilton.
    Posted by  on  11/12  at  04:14 PM
34. Dear Sir, I want to learn hand made home chocolates & desserts of international lavel.Please advise me short time courses in India or any English speaking country.Thanks & Regards
    Posted by  on  11/19  at  07:23 AM
35. Dear Sir, Are their formal chocholate schools in usa/europe ?, What are the necessary steps in order to have the knoledge to produce exclusive choolate products for retail purposes ? Thank You... Gur
    Posted by  on  11/20  at  10:19 AM