For the third consecutive year, fifth-grade students from La Cima Elementary Charter School in Brooklyn, NY have ventured to Paris for a study abroad experience.   Each time, Entrée to Black Paris has provided them with our Entrée to Black Paris tour entitled "Black History in and around the Luxembourg Garden."

This year, we were also privileged to organize the school's first culinary experience in Paris.  Students and chaperones enjoyed creating a three-course, gourmet meal at the Cook'n with Class cooking school. 

Cook'n with Class' owner, Chef Eric Fraudeau, privatized the school to welcome the excited group of 21 travelers on Easter Sunday morning.  He, and fellow chefs Sarah Tyler and Patrick Hebert, created a tag-team event where each chef manned a kitchen and worked with participants to create one of the three courses they would consume during a buffet lunch.

Chef Eric and team welcome La Cima students and chaperones
© Entrée to Black Paris

The participants were split into three groups.  Each group visited each kitchen and had the opportunity to prepare each course for the meal.

Chef Patrick was in charge of the first course and the salad.  On the menu were poached cod fish fillets, green bean salad, and creamy vinaigrette.

Chef Patrick demonstrates how to use the knife
© Entrée to Black Paris

Chef Eric guided participants in creating the main course, which consisted of chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms and side dishes of sautéed oyster mushrooms and Parmesan potatoes.

Chef Eric explains how the morning will proceed
© Entrée to Black Paris

Chef Sarah was in charge of desserts.  Students under her charge made chocolate crème brûlée and miniature financiers (almond cakes).

Chef Sarah (far left) and group watch as a student separates an egg
© Entrée to Black Paris

Some of the children were no strangers to the kitchen, while others had never cooked before. They not only learned knife skills and other techniques, but also were exposed to science as they learned about emulsions while making the vinaigrette.

Making vinaigrette
© Entrée to Black Paris

Chaperones participated alongside the kids in what turned out to be an entertaining and educational experience.

Whisking egg yolks and chocolate cream
© Entrée to Black Paris

Smashing garlic
© Entrée to Black Paris

Perhaps the most exciting activities were tossing mushrooms in a pan ...

Preparing to toss mushrooms
© Entrée to Black Paris

Success!
© Entrée to Black Paris

and flaming the crème brûlées.

Crème brûlées waiting to be flamed
© Entrée to Black Paris

Flaming crème brûlée
© Entrée to Black Paris

By far, the most satisfying experience was consuming everything the groups made that day!

Ready to eat!
© Entrée to Black Paris

Students serve themselves
© Entrée to Black Paris

Chaperones serve themselves
© Entrée to Black Paris

Everything was scrumptious and everyone left happy!  Here's hoping that this event was the beginning of a new tradition in travel / study abroad for La Cima!

Cook’n with Class
6, rue Baudelique
Paris 75018
www.cooknwithclass.com/paris