Is Le Cordon Bleu cooking courses worth it?

[UglyModernWindows]

Over the past year I have learned to cook more varied meals and have found it rather enjoyable. I'd like to learn a proper set of basic cooking skills like how to handle different food items, make sauces and recipe writing.

Both Le Cordon Bleu and Leiths have courses for this type of thing but both do cost quite a bit. Are they worth the cost?

For example Cordon Bleu has a four day basic cooking skills course which is £700. They also have a 3 month course which would be super interesting but it is £7000! I am self employed but currently on a hiatus so I'd have time for this.

Anyone?

I think they would be great to learn classical cookery.
But for me I'd rather attended courses in different types of cookery, for example Indian cookery courses etc etc.

I've often thought I'd like to do one of these but then question how often I'd incorporate it into every day life. I once read that a professional chef said he cooks like he hates you - too much salt, fat etc which all bring taste. So you couldn't cook and eat like that too often

I'm a self taught cook... but I'd love to have gone on a cookery course years ago. If it's what you love to do go for it! Your friends will be pleased too 😀 I have lots of friends that don't or can't cook in their 50's
It's an excellent life skill and feeding people good food always is a winner

I've done quite a few one day courses and have learnt loads from them , even if you only take one thing per lesson and use it it will broaden your scope and confidence , I found them hard work physically ( and I was much fitter then !) but guess it depends on the teacher and how much the class is doing hands on as opposed to watching
The more expensive professional days we didn't do any of the clearing and cleaning at all - we had staff working behind us doing that , we would have not got through the lesson plan without them
I would say do a day or two first and see how you enjoy it rather than throw 7k at one

No experience with Cordon Bleu but a couple of years ago my sister and I took a 3 day pastry course at the Ritz Escoffier school in Paris , so worth it, we both enjoy baking and do it so often , it was very informative to learn how to master basic techniques , preparing in advance, "building" deserts from scratch and presenting , this was not a professional course , but it really made a huge difference in how we bake at home, plus it was loads of fun!
We both would love to go back , hopefully next Autumn and take other courses.

Not Cordon Bleu but my SIL has done a few courses - her latest was all about kitchen knife skills, showing how to do things like properly chop meat finely and that sort of thing. She’s a fantastic cook so it clearly pays off!

@queenofarles

No experience with Cordon Bleu but a couple of years ago my sister and I took a 3 day pastry course at the Ritz Escoffier school in Paris , so worth it, we both enjoy baking and do it so often , it was very informative to learn how to master basic techniques , preparing in advance, "building" deserts from scratch and presenting , this was not a professional course , but it really made a huge difference in how we bake at home, plus it was loads of fun! We both would love to go back , hopefully next Autumn and take other courses.

Oh, that would be a dream course to do.

I'll put that down on my bucket list for my next life, when I am reincarnated as rich and can do as I please.

Thanks for all the replies! It all sounds positive!

I've learnt a lot during this year by watching Youtube tutorials and just by doing trial and error. But my cooking is still bit hit and miss even though I'm miles better compered to last year at this time. We don't rely on processed food anymore but I'm guessing a lot whilst cooking which doesn't fill me with confidence. It holds me back at trying to teach my DC because I'm not quite sure what I'm doing myself .

However, having always been someone who eats to live, this new way of being has really opened up my eyes how gratifying it is to produce a lovely meal, not to mention to eat it!

@whateveritwilltake I love butter and sea salt

@ponkydonkey That's what I was thinking of too that it's a great life skill to have. And I'm hoping it'll give me more confidence to teach my DC to cook too.

@greedygut Interesting! I'd love to have a minion who clears up after me!

@queenofarles The short course I'm looking at is not for the professionals either. But something that I hope would teach me important basics.

Both my kids love to cook too, my eldest whose 17 can cook a mean meal out of nothing eg, fridge leftovers and a few store cupboard items. Definitely a life skill 😀