Key facts
- French cooking schools are attracting Indian students seeking to enter the fine-dining sector.
- Ecole Ducasse has over 600 students, with many from affluent backgrounds.
- Vatel has about 120 students, many from modest backgrounds.
French cooking schools are drawing a growing number of Indian students who aspire to work in the country's expanding fine-dining industry. This trend is fueled by economic growth and increased social media exposure, which has broadened career ambitions among young people. Schools like Ecole Ducasse and Vatel are experiencing rising enrollment, with students seeking to acquire French culinary techniques and gain international experience. While some students aim to open their own restaurants in India, others plan to pursue further studies and work abroad before returning. The culinary education sector in India has seen significant growth over the last decade, with a notable increase in female participation.