Le Cordon Bleu Istanbul · 33 Weeks

Grand Diplôme®

The world's most prestigious culinary qualification — combining the complete Cuisine and Pâtisserie curricula into a single comprehensive programme of over 900 hours.

$51,000
Tuition · 2025–2026
International students
Overview

The credential behind
the world's great chefs.

The Grand Diplôme® is awarded upon successful completion of both the Diplôme de Cuisine and the Diplôme de Pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu. It represents the highest qualification in the Le Cordon Bleu system — and is globally recognised as a mark of culinary excellence.

At Le Cordon Bleu Istanbul, the Grand Diplôme is studied concurrently: Cuisine classes run 3 days per week (6 hours/day), and Pâtisserie runs 2 days per week (6 hours/day), giving you both qualifications in 9 months. Alternatively, programmes can be studied consecutively over 12 months.

33
Weeks duration
900+
Contact hours
6 hrs
Per day
5 days
Per week
$51,000
Tuition (USD)
4
Intakes per year
No prior culinary experience required
No English exam required — competency to follow lessons sufficient
Minimum age 18 at time of enrolment
All instruction by international chef-instructors
Programme structure

Three levels · Two disciplines.

The Grand Diplôme covers both Cuisine and Pâtisserie across three levels each. Below is the curriculum overview for the Cuisine component. Pâtisserie runs simultaneously.

Level 1 · Cuisine

Basic Cuisine Certificate

Fundamental kitchen techniques — the foundation every professional chef builds on.

  • Knife skills and classical vegetable cuts
  • Basic stocks, sauces, and derivatives
  • Elementary butchery and fish preparation
  • Basic doughs — puff pastry, pâte brisée
  • Introduction to plating presentation
  • Basic dessert methods for restaurant service
  • Health, safety, and hygiene regulations
Level 2 · Cuisine

Intermediate Cuisine Certificate

Classical and contemporary techniques applied to real kitchen production.

  • All basic techniques implemented at speed
  • Classical and contemporary cuisine techniques
  • Participating in large-scale canapé production
  • Team production techniques
  • Classic and modern plating and presentation
  • Sweet and savoury hot soufflé
  • Developing sauce knowledge and shellfish
  • Practising cooking methods for preservation
Level 3 · Cuisine

Superior Cuisine Certificate

Advanced professional technique — your personal culinary identity.

  • Wide range of classical and contemporary techniques
  • Advanced butchery, fish, and protein preparation
  • "À la minute" cooking and garnishing techniques
  • Expressing personal cultural ingredients and flavours
  • Seasonal and market influences on menu design
  • Creating new recipes using signature ingredients
  • Kitchen organisation and management skills
Who this programme is for

The Grand Diplôme is the
right choice if you are...

An aspiring professional chef who wants the most comprehensive qualification available
Someone planning to work in Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels, or haute cuisine restaurants
An entrepreneur planning to open a restaurant, catering business, or food concept
A career-changer who wants the fastest route to professional credibility
Someone who wants both Cuisine and Pâtisserie qualifications — without spending 2 separate years
A food industry professional (hospitality, events, F&B management) upgrading their technical skills
An international student looking for European-level culinary education at a significantly lower cost than Paris or London
Anyone serious about building a career in food — this is the credential the industry recognises
Questions about this programme

Common questions.

The 9-month format studies Cuisine and Pâtisserie concurrently — 3 days of Cuisine and 2 days of Pâtisserie per week. The 12-month format studies them consecutively — completing one full diploma before starting the other. Both result in the identical Grand Diplôme® qualification. The 9-month option is more intensive; the 12-month suits students who prefer full focus on each discipline separately.

No prior culinary experience is required. The programme starts at Basic level and builds progressively. Many Grand Diplôme students have no professional kitchen background before enrolling. What matters is commitment and the ability to follow instruction in English.

Yes. Le Cordon Bleu Istanbul issues the identical Grand Diplôme as the Paris, London, Tokyo, or any other campus. The Fondation Le Cordon Bleu Culinaire signs each diploma — there is no distinction between campuses from an employer's perspective. The curriculum is standardised across all 35 Le Cordon Bleu schools globally.

Le Cordon Bleu Istanbul runs 4 intakes per year — Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Exact start dates vary per academic year. Contact us for the current intake schedule and to check availability for your preferred start date.

Ready to apply?

Start your Grand Diplôme
application today.

Our consultants guide you through the entire process. Package 1 ($300) or Full Support ($900). Contact us within 24 hours.

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