Summary

The market for cookery courses in France has seen substantial growth, influenced by strong national interest in culinary activities and increased demand from tourists keen to discover French cuisine. The average price of a cooking class in France was estimated at 22 euros per hour in 2020, with regional variations such as Paris, where the average price is 29 euros per hour.

The market structure is competitive and fragmented, with a mix of local players and major players such as Atelier des Sens and the Ritz Paris, which have invested heavily in the expansion and renovation of kitchen facilities. The move towards online platforms has become more significant, with digital cooking courses gaining ground, posing a competitive threat to traditional in-person courses. High-end cooking courses are more expensive, depending on the chef's reputation, and range from €90 to €3,500 for specialized courses.

Players in the high-end segment such as Alain Ducasse generated sales of €2.06 million, while providers of standard courses such as L'atelier des chefs achieved sales of €11.22 million. Despite the challenges posed by free online alternatives, the sector's potential growth is underpinned by the French population's positive attitude towards cooking and the cyclical nature of interest, which peaks around Christmas and wanes during the summer months.

##Cooking classes in France: market and trends

In France, the passion for cooking is obvious, and a large proportion of the population is devoted to and appreciative of this culinary art. Studies show that the French have a positive view of cooking, with between 65% and 70% of those questioned expressing a penchant for the activity. This enthusiasm goes beyond mere personal interest, as cooking is also seen as an important social bond, likely to improve family relations. The desire to improve culinary skills has translated into a strong demand for cooking classes, with 15-20% of the French population expressing an interest in this type of course. Participants are primarily interested in being able to reproduce recipes at home, underlining a trend whereby individuals, particularly young cooks, are seeking simplicity and self-sufficiency in their cooking endeavours.

Interest in cooking classes shows seasonal variations, with a peak around Christmas - probably due to gift-buying - and a decline during the traditional vacation months, such as July and August. Television has played a key role in this market trend, with popular cooking shows such as"Masterchef" and"Top Chef" fuelling people's fascination with gastronomy and inspiring viewers to take up cooking themselves. These shows not only entertain, they also educate the masses, contributing to the growing demand for cooking classes.

With the growth of digital platforms, the market is also witnessing changes in the distribution of cooking classes. Online platforms such as YouTube are an abundant source of free culinary content, creating competition for traditional cooking workshops. Nevertheless, the market remains strong, with estimates putting the sector at around 27 million euros. The domestic market offers enormous potential, with participation in cooking classes having risen considerably over the years, from around 5,000 participants to between 6.5 million and 20 million interested parties.

Overall, the French market for cookery courses is strong, underpinned by a culture that celebrates culinary expertise and pleasure. With trends moving towards both traditional and digital demands, the market is ripe for suppliers who can effectively harness these preferences, offering experiences that cater to modern lifestyle choices while preserving the essence of community and family ties through food.

Key players shaping the French cooking class landscape

The French cooking course market features an eclectic mix of traditional and innovative players who are shaping the culinary education scene with their diverse offerings. From reputable institutions to digital disruptors, here's a look at the major players making waves in this tasty sector.

  • Alain Ducasse Education - As a globally recognized name in the culinary world, Alain Ducasse stands out for its prestigious cooking courses that not only educate but immerse students in the art of French cuisine. His courses range from beginner to professional level and often feature renowned chefs, guaranteeing an enriching learning experience.
  • L'atelier des Chefs - Considered one of the benchmarks in culinary training, L'atelier des Chefs offers a wide range of courses adapted to different levels of culinary expertise and interest. Their accessible format includes short 30-minute sessions and longer workshops, making culinary education accessible to a wide audience.
  • L'atelier des Sens - Another great name, L'atelier des Sens, offers interesting and informative cooking workshops. The workshop has carved out a niche for itself by combining a hands-on culinary experience with a friendly atmosphere, which not only promotes learning but also social interaction through food.
  • The Ritz Escoffier School - Housed in the luxurious Ritz Paris, the Ritz Escoffier School represents the pinnacle of culinary education, attracting those who wish to learn in opulent surroundings. Investment in state-of-the-art kitchens demonstrates the school's commitment to offering an unrivalled culinary teaching experience.
  • Le Cordon Bleu - An international leader in culinary education, Le Cordon Bleu has extended its reach by establishing schools in several countries, including France. It offers comprehensive training programs for those wishing to pursue a professional culinary career.
  • Cooking with Class (À La Bonne Cocotte) -Proposing experiences in picturesque locations such as Provence, Cooking with Class offers an escape for those who want to combine a vacation with learning regional culinary techniques and recipes.
  • The French Kitchen - Located in Gascony, The French Kitchen is another player that combines culinary education with the allure of the French countryside. Their programs often span several days, offering immersion in local culture and cuisine.

These key players in the French cooking course market reflect the diverse demand for culinary education, blending traditional know-how with modern, practical and sometimes even luxurious teaching methods. They underline France's reputation as a world center for gastronomy and culinary arts training.

Get all the information you need
to understand this market

Detailed content

Inforamtion

  • Number of pages : 30 pages
  • Format : Digital and PDF versions
  • Last update : 28/09/2022
Update Details

Summary and extracts

1 Market summary

1.1 Presentation and market definition

Cooking classes are offered by proffessionals to a client base with the aim to teach culinary skills. In particular, cooking classes often revolve around a certain theme, such as Itailan or French cuisine, or desserts. These classes take place in a kitchen owned by the supplier, and often involves a larger group of people which cook together. 

According to a study in 2017 conducted by BVA, close to 30% of French respondents said they had fun while cooking. 70% of them replied that they like or love cooking. Due to the strong cultural ties France has to cooking, players have leveraged this and started offering cooking classes. In general, these are targeted at two groups: first, the local population who are interested in improving their culinary skills, and secondly tourists who are interested in taking part of the French cuisine. In light of this, the number of cooking classes which are offered have increased dramatically over the last 20 years. The rise of cooking classes is also the result of the enthusiasm of television broadcastings with programs such as Masterchef or Topchef.

The cooking class market in France is impacted by the rise of digitalization; indeed, a new group of players have emerged which offer online cooking on for example YouTube.

 

1.2 Domestic market

Due to the lack of data on the market size of cooking classes in France, we resort to estimations. First, we assume the average price is €** per hour in the entire France based on the national average. [***] It is important to underline that there are regional disparities; for instance, the average ...

1.3 L'impact du COVID-19 sur l'industrie

En ****, l’enquête du magazine B.R.A Tendances restauration, accompagnée par le cabinet Food Service Vision, a présenté les chiffres du marché de la restauration commerciale. Le chiffre d’affaires global du secteur en France a généré environ ** milliards d’euros. Mais, en **** avec la ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Demand Analysis

Overview

Source: ****

The graph above depicts the view on cooking in France in ****. From this we learn that **% of respondents have no interest in cooking. However, **% are positive towards the activity.

According to an IFOP survey, only *% of people see cooking as a chore.

This speaks for the cooking class industry ...

2.2 Demand Trends

Cyclicality

Source: ****

The graph above represents the proportion of searches for a given term in a given region during a specified amount of time, compared to when it was the most searched (***). Thus, a value of ** means that the keyword has been used less often in the region concerned, and a ...

2.3 Analyse de l'audience

Décomposition de l'audience par âge France, ****, % Source: ****

    L'analyse de l'audience du marché étudié par rapport à la population française montre plusieurs tendances. L'audience du marché est principalement composée de personnes âgées de ** à ** ans (***). [***] MARCHÉ DES SITES DE RENCONTRE- Décomposition de l'audience par sexe France, ****, % Semrusg   L'analyse ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Market structure

In section *.* we estimated the French cooking school market to value at around €** million. This growth comes both from an internal market in France together with a large demand from foreign tourists who are intrigued to take part of the renowned French cuisine. 

The market for cooking classes is competitive and ...

3.2 Distribution

Distribution of cooking classes can be divided into three broader segments: first we find traditional cooking classes which are hosted in workshops. Secondly, a smaller and less common distribution channel is home cooking. Finally, we find online classes, a segment which is gaining in prominence. 

Several actors expand their services to ...

4 Analysis of the offer

4.1 Product Overview

As have been stated previously, cooking classes vary widely in terms of the length of the class (***), to themes, and prices. To diversify in this setting, it becomes essential to provide original services, such as including chefs as a means of marketing, using onlines courses, or offering premium cooking classes.

In ...

4.2 Price Analysis

In January ****, the average price in France was €** per hour of cooking class. [***] However, prices vary greatly depending on the chef, the location, and type of cooking; Star of Service puts the price range between €** and €** per hour. For cooking classes which take place at the home of the client, the ...

4.3 Supply Trends

Diversification of players and services

Several shifts can be noted in the market for cooking classes. First, we find that services are diversified in order to be original and stand out against competition. For instance Vorwerk through its product line in Thermomix (***). [***]

Another popular means of diversifying services to not only ...

5 Rules and regulations

5.1 Regulations reserved for vocational training

Cooking workshops that are not intended to offer real professional training leading to a diploma are not subject to direct regulation. Any private individual with the necessary means in terms of space and kitchen utensils may offer culinary services, be it at home or in workshops.

Despite official regulations governing these ...

5.2 Quelles sont les formalités pour créer son entreprise de cours de cuisine ?

Le chef à domicile choisit fréquemment le statut d’auto-entrepreneur. Vous serez alors un cuisinier indépendant avec une activité libérale, inscrit à l’Urssaf. L’avantage réside dans la simplicité des démarches, même si le chiffre d’affaires est plafonné.

Le code APE (***). Vous pouvez également proposer ...

List of charts

  • Les français cuisinent-ils souvent ?
  • Combien de temps les français passent-ils en cuisine ?
  • Avec qui et comment les français partagent-t-ils leur repas ?
  • Êtes-vous favorables à l'instauration de cours de cuisine à l'école?
  • Quel est votre type de cuisine favori?
Show more Hide

All our studies are available online in PDF format

Take a look at an example of our research on another market!

Do you have a question about this study?   +44 238 097 0676

Latest news

How McCain relies on ChefClub to promote its French fries - 05/12/2022

Chefclub a catalog of more than 10,000 recipes videos that exceed 300 million views every month Partnership with McCain to raise awareness of its frozen French fries

L'atelier des chefs launches a 100% digital florist training course - 31/10/2022
  • After preparing for jobs as cooks, electricians or beauticians
  • L'Atelier des chefs offers 100% digital CAP florist training
  • 30% of flower businesses face recruitment difficulties
  • 20% of stores have disappeared 1,500 positions open every year
  • Our aim is to train tomorrow's generation of florists
At Rungis, Lenôtre trains in the culinary arts - 04/08/2023
  • The Marché d'Intérêt National (MIN) at Rungis is the largest fresh produce market in the world.
  • The Lenôtre school moved from Plaisir to Rungis in April 2021.
  • The school offers a range of culinary arts courses, including cuisine, pastry-making and bakery.
  • The school has 12 fully-equipped cooking rooms.
  • The school welcomes between 3,000 and 4,000 students every year.
  • In addition to long courses for adults, the school offers advanced courses of 1 to 5 days for professionals.
  • L'école Lenôtre is planning to open its first establishment abroad, in Bangkok, at the end of 2022.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Ritz Escoffier
Ecole de Cuisine Alain Ducasse
Chefsquare
Paul Bocuse Groupe - Institut Paul Bocuse
Du Bruit dans la Cuisine (MDF Kitchen)
La Cuisine de Paris
Ecole de cuisine Tsuji
Atelier Guy Martin
CFA Médéric
Chef en ligne
CMH
Ecole de Paris des métiers de la table

Choosing this study means :

Access to more than 35 hours of work

Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.

Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced

Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.

Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.

Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data

Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).

To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)

Guaranteed support after your purchase

A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676

A digital format designed for our users

Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.

Our offers :

the cooking class market | France

89 €
  • What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
  • What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
  • What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
  • Data from several dozen databases

Pack 5 études (-15%) France

75.6 € / study
378 € instead of 445 € -15%
  • 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
  • Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
  • Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)

Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.

Updates

Do you have a question ?
Our team is at your disposal at   +44 238 097 0676