On the right bank of the Seine, just a stone’s throw from the impressive Hôtel de Ville and within view of the grand and gothic Cathedral Notre Dame, lies a narrow building marked with a simple sign that reads “La Cuisine Paris.” Tucked beside a traditional bistro, Le Trumilou, La Cuisine Paris seems the humblest entry on this stretch of Parisian sidewalk. But upon entering, visitors immediately encounter a cook’s and baker’s sanctuary, a Francophile’s dream culinary school made delightfully real. Upstairs, light streams through expansive windows, casting sunshine on a state-of-the-art kitchen lined with stand mixers, ovens, and stovetops. Downstairs, a centuries-old cellar has been transformed into two more modern kitchens, with new cooking equipment sharing space with ancient stone archways and ceilings. Finally, at the street level is a compact gift shop and welcome desk, where a warm chorus of bonjour greets all who enter La Cuisine’s doors. It’s the premier English-language cooking school in Paris, France, and where Bake from Scratch hosts its Parisian baking retreats.
This charming culinary school is the vision of Jane Bertch. Once upon a time, Jane was an international banker, splitting time between London, England, and Chicago, Illinois, and various European cities of commerce. At a personal crossroads,
