Savor a menu worthy of a star without breaking the bank? It’s possible. And it is even the principle of the application restaurants of the hotel and cooking schools. Very often, these schools have a place where students can practice and gain experience before they graduate. They can thus confront the reality of their future profession with real clients, while benefiting from the advice and supervision of their teachers. Sommelier, cook, pastry chef, waiter, chocolate maker, bartender… All professions are represented there, as in a “real” restaurant. And the quality is also there, whether on the side of the plate or the service.
Application restaurants of hotel schools: prices up to 50% cheaper
These application restaurants being primarily for educational purposes and not being subject to traditional charges, they offer very affordable prices. A menu including a starter, main course and dessert costs up to 50% less than in a private establishment of equivalent quality. At Saisons at the Paul Bocuse Institute (Ecully), for example, which is the only starred training restaurant, it is possible to enjoy a high-end menu for lunch for only €60. Same thing at the very famous Ferrandi school (Paris) which offers gastro menus for around thirty euros.
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Better to do it in advance to reserve a table
Note that to take advantage of these establishments, some rules must however be respected. Schedules are often imposed (12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., etc.), so as not to disturb the smooth running of the service, and some restaurants only open for lunch during the week, and during the school term. Also difficult to get there on a whim, reservations are made several weeks in advance. To reserve a table, simply go directly to the website of the hotel or gastronomy school, to find out how to register, prices and menus.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of training restaurants in France:
Paris :
Ferrandi school
Paris school of table trades
Ecully/Lyon:
Paul Bocuse Institute
Bordeaux
Lake Campus
Lille
The Lhil