CFA des Chefs

What CFA des Chefs does

CFA des Chefs is a French vocational training center (Centre de Formation des Apprentis) operating as a GIE (Groupement d'Intérêt Économique) that delivers free, apprenticeship-based culinary, pastry, restaurant service, and hospitality management programs. Founded in 2020 as an alliance of major French hospitality groups and owned by Université Clariane, the institution offers nine diploma pathways ranging from one-year CAP-level certificates to a two-year BTS in hospitality management, including specialty Certificat de Spécialisation programs in boutique pastry, restaurant desserts, and catering. All training is delivered 100% in-person across six campuses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Tours, with curricula combining campus instruction, proprietary complementary modules, and mandatory workplace apprenticeships at host companies drawn from the founding alliance (Sofitel/MGallery/Pullman/Royal Monceau Raffles hotels, Paul Bocuse restaurants, Paris Society, Potel & Chabot, Saint Clair Traiteur, and Dalloyau).

The business model is structurally distinct from a fee-for-service education provider. Training is free to apprentices, who instead receive salaries under standard French apprenticeship contract scales (43-100% of SMIC depending on age and program year). Revenue is generated indirectly through the French apprenticeship tax system (contributions OPCA/Ausoler) which funds the CFA per trainee, supplemented by alliance member contributions via the GIE structure. Apprentices are recruited through a multi-channel motion including the company website, in-person "jobdatings" events where candidates interview directly with employer partners, downloadable brochures, and organic social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. The institution guarantees host-company placement and claims a permanent contract (CDI) offer upon completion, eliminating the standard friction of self-sourced apprenticeship contracts.

Since inception, CFA des Chefs has trained approximately 1,000 apprentices across its programs and holds QUALIOPI state certification (initially obtained June 14, 2021, renewed June 14, 2024), which is the mandatory quality credential required to receive public apprenticeship funding. Reported outcomes include a 100% exam pass rate for CAP and BTS programs and 50-63% of graduates earning Mention Très Bien or Bien. The corporate entity is a privately held GIE with 9 disclosed employees, registered with RCS Nanterre under SIRET 880 234 794 00019, with Marine Brizion serving as Publication Director.

Name

CFA des Chefs

Legal name

GIE CFA des Chefs

Website

https://cfadeschefs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CFA des Chefs is a French apprenticeship-based vocational training center offering free culinary, pastry, and hospitality programs (CAP to BTS) across six campuses, operated as a GIE alliance of major French hospitality groups under Université Clariane.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Culinary and Hospitality Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAOAKAA

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training)

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Culinary Arts, Baking & Food Service Training

SECONDARYEDAOAKAE

Restaurant & Foodservice Operations Management

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Culinary Arts, Baking & Food Service Training

SECONDARYEDAOAKAL

Institutional & Commercial Kitchen Training (Schools/Healthcare/Corporate)

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Culinary Arts, Baking & Food Service Training

SECONDARYEDABALAO

Hospitality & Food Service

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Industry-Specific Professional Training (e.g., Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction)

Keywords

• Vocational culinary training
• Apprenticeship hospitality programs
• Culinary arts education
• Restaurant management training
• Pastry and cuisine diplomas

Headquarters

HQ city

Issy les Moulineaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Apprenticeship Training Funding: CFA des Chefs operates as a CFA (Centre de Formation des Apprentis) funded through the French apprenticeship tax system (contributions OPCA/Ausoler). Training is free for apprentices; the institution receives public funding for each trainee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CFA des Chefs is a French apprentice training center (CFA - Centre de Formation des Apprentis) that delivers state-diploma culinary, pastry, restaurant-service, and hotel-management training via apprenticeships combining 100% in-person campus instruction with workplace learning at alliance partner companies. Programs span CAP through BTS level (1 to 2 years), include Titre Professionnel Cuisinier, CAP Cuisine, CAP Pâtisserie, CAP Commercialisation et Service en CHR, three CS certificates, Bac Pro Cuisine, and BTS Management en Hôtellerie Restauration. Training is free for apprentices and the institution secures guaranteed host-company placement and a CDI employment pathway upon completion.

Product overview

CFA des Chefs is a vocational training institution (CFA - Centre de Formation des Apprentis) offering apprenticeship-based culinary and hospitality training programs in France. The institution operates as a unified training platform providing a portfolio of diploma programs ranging from CAP (Vocational Training Certificate) to BTS (Higher Technician Certificate), spanning 1 to 2 years. Programs include Titre Professionnel Cuisinier, CAP Cuisine, CAP Pâtisserie, CAP Commercialisation et service en CHR, various CS (Certificat de Spécialisation) certificates, Bac Pro Cuisine, and BTS Management en Hôtellerie Restauration. All programs combine campus-based practical training with mandatory apprenticeships, and include a guaranteed host company placement and CDI employment opportunity upon completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% examination pass rate for CAP and BTS programs; 50-63% of graduates receive Mention Très Bien or Bien
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Sofitel, MGallery, Pullman, Royal Monceau Raffles HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor international hotel groups that serve as host companies for BTS Management apprenticeship placements. These luxury hotels provide practical training environments for apprentices in hotel hospitality operations.
• Paul Bocuse Restaurants (Lyon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegendary gastronomic restaurant group founded by Chef Paul Bocuse in Lyon, providing high-end culinary apprenticeship placements for CFA des Chefs students.
• Paris Society GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium Paris-based restaurant group that hosts CFA des Chefs apprentices for practical training in fine dining establishments.
• Potel & ChabotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious French event caterer providing apprenticeship placements in event and banquet culinary operations.
• Saint Clair TraiteurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished event caterer serving as host company for CFA des Chefs apprentices in catering and event services.
• DalloyaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric French caterer and pastry house providing apprenticeship opportunities in haute pâtisserie and event catering.
• Gault & Millau Partner RestaurantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurants awarded at least one toque by Gault & Millau culinary guide serve as host companies for quality-conscious apprenticeship training.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AFPA: France's national agency for adult vocational training offering a wide range of programs including hospitality. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in French vocational training delivery and public-funding model, though operating at significantly larger scale and across all trades.
• Le Cordon Bleu: Global network of culinary schools offering diplomas in cuisine, pâtisserie, and hospitality. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in culinary curriculum and credentialing, but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple geographies rather than focusing on French alternation.
• Lycée Hôtelier de Marseille / Lycées Hôteliers Regionaux: Public French secondary schools offering CAP and Bac Pro in hotel/restaurant trades through alternance. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in French culinary/hospitality vocational education and apprenticeship format, though as public schools rather than private alliances.

Direct peers

• INBP (Institut National de la Boulangerie Pâtisserie): French national institute for bakery and pastry vocational training, offering CAP and specialized certifications. Comparable to CFA des Chefs' CAP Pâtisserie and CS Pâtisserie programs in French vocational pastry education.
• Institut Paul Bocuse: Higher-education institution in Lyon focused on culinary arts, hospitality, and restaurant management. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in French culinary/hospitality education, apprenticeship integration, and partnership with the Paul Bocuse brand (which is also a CFA des Chefs host partner).
• Ferrandi Paris: Renowned Parisian culinary and hospitality school offering CAP, Bachelor, and Master's programs. Directly comparable to CFA des Chefs in French culinary vocational education, apprenticeship pathways, and partnerships with top hospitality employers.
• École Lenôtre: French culinary and pastry school founded by Gaston Lenôtre, offering CAP and professional programs. Directly comparable in French pastry/culinary vocational training and target apprentice audience.
• École Ducasse (Alain Ducasse Education): France-based culinary and pastry school offering diploma programs from CAP/Bac Pro through Bachelor level. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in core offering (professional culinary training), target market (career-track apprentices), and French market positioning.

Emerging players

• Rouxbe: Online culinary school offering certification programs for professional cooks. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in culinary curriculum and professional credentialing, but delivers entirely online rather than through in-person apprenticeships.

Regional players

• Thalès Formation (CMQ Hôtellerie-Restauration): French regional CFA network specialized in hospitality and restaurant trades. Comparable to CFA des Chefs in apprenticeship-based culinary/hospitality training and reliance on French apprenticeship funding, but operates as a regional rather than national alliance brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cfa-des-chefs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CFA des Chefs