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The mission of L’École is to inspire creative, inclusive and ethical gastronomy, and to break new culinary boundaries.
L’École Valrhona’s story started in 1989 when Valrhona and Frédéric Bau came together over a shared goal of teaching outstanding skills and bringing out dessert professionals’ talents all over the world. This unique collaborative initiative has generated a constant drive to break new creative boundaries. L’École Valrhona maintains its pioneering spirit through this ongoing quest for innovation and research.
Exceptional training facilities
L’École Valrhona’s network of schools transforms our goal for learning, new encounters, and enrichment into a reality. This network extends right around the globe, guaranteeing that everyone can access the guidance and expertise they need.
True to the spirit of the Tain-l'Hermitage campus - an iconic location for an entire profession - L’École Valrhona has expanded to Tokyo, Paris, Brooklyn and recently Dubai, as well as three V-Labs (Milan, Barcelona and Kehl).
This expansion opens up new possibilities for learning, encounters and enrichment, thanks to a network guaranteeing worldwide support and expertise. Beyond the campuses, the 42 chefs at L’École Valrhona continue to guide flavor professionals every day, offering telephone assistance in France and consultancy abroad.
Founded in 1989, L’École Valrhona in Tain-l'Hermitage is located near the company’s historic headquarters in France’s Drôme region. It offers a wide range of short vocational training programs, from pastry and chocolate-making basics to advanced techniques. Because it is so close to the business’ heart, this school offers special access to Valrhona experts, covering everything from the chocolate factory to the brand's culture.
After opening in 2009, this iteration of L'École Valrhona relocated to the heart of Paris’ Le Marais district in 2022. In this exceptional setting, professionals can immerse themselves in the wealth of pastry and chocolate-making developed in the French capital which, over the years, has become an ideal jumping-off point for discovering trends and the beating heart of a creative dessert scene.
L’École Valrhona Tokyo was Valrhona's first overseas school, and it opened in 2007 to meet the demand for pastry and chocolate training in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers courses tailored to the Japanese market, focusing on local ingredients and regional trends.
L’École Valrhona USA is located in the iconic borough of Brooklyn, with a classically American, brick-built architectural style. Since 2015, it has been enabling US-based chefs to swap and share their expertise while perfecting their techniques and discovering current and emerging pastry trends.
L’École Valrhona Dubai opened in 2024 and is located in a dynamic, easily accessible neighborhood. With its resolutely modern style, it embodies the essence of cultural fusion. It has become a genuine hub welcoming customers from the Middle East and Africa. This iteration of L’École Valrhona offers a unique opportunity to learn chocolate- and pastry-making techniques that include regional flavors.
Passing on skills & sharing knowledge
L’École Valrhona is a real hub for gaining expertise and perfecting your skills with a focus on chocolate. It brings together people with a passion for gastronomy so that they can innovate, develop and share their knowledge in a constantly changing industry. This rich environment enables L’École Valrhona to support the most demanding professionals through an outstanding training program. It offers flavor makers from all over the world the opportunity to learn how to use products, perfect their technique and add finesse to their creations.
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Video presentation
L'École Valrhona's Chefs
Talented, inspired and inspiring, discover the portraits of Valrhona's Chefs and chocolate trainers.