Anne-Sophie Pic's cooking school is about to close its doors, but for a good reason

Pauline Masotta | 9/6/23

Scook, the PIC Group's cooking school and éPICerie in Valence, are closing for three years. A justified temporary closure.

Passing on know-how? A priority for Anne-Sophie Pic, chef for 20 years. So it's hardly surprising that, under her impetus, the Scook School was created in 2008. It's a friendly place where budding gourmets enjoy bringing to life the recipes that awaken their taste buds. But sad news for those wishing to sign up for the new school year: the school will close its doors on September 30, 2023, along with the éPICerie located opposite, on rue Danton in Valence.

A strategic closure

Nothing to worry about. The school and the grocery store are not doomed to never exist again. Quite the contrary, in fact. With sales expected to reach 32 million euros by 2022, the Pic group has never been in better shape. Over the years, however, customer needs have evolved. The 15-year-old premises need a breath of fresh air. "We have a huge number of requests for video lessons, and we're not equipped for that, so we would have had to redo everything," David Sinapian, president of the Pic group, tells France Bleu Drôme Ardèche. "This would have meant major work and a substantial investment, which would have made no sense given that we plan to play a full part in Valence's gastronomic hub," continues David Sinapian.

Leaving to come back

The idea of closing the Scook school and the éPICerie was therefore prompted by a number of upcoming projects. In particular, the involvement of the Pic group and the chef in the gastronomic hub project currently underway in the lower town, which is due to open its doors to the public in 2026. Naturally, the group wants to locate its school and sales outlet there. "Closing today to bounce back there will also free up our energy for other projects in the meantime, such as the two foreign openings planned for this autumn, which require a lot of work", explained the group's president.

These news might interest you

News & Events

Mondial du Rhum 2025: Paris at the heart of the rum ecosystem

From February 12 to 14, 2025, the Palais Brongniart will be the place to be for rum professionals. Discover an exceptional program with the participation of Gault&Millau.

Read

News & Events

Quentin Pellestor-Veyrier: first restaurant in the former Amphitryon building

Quentin Pellestor-Veyrier, who has worked in a number of top establishments including those of Gilles Goujon, is about to open his first restaurant not far from Toulouse.

Read

News & Events

Guillaume Pape: towards a new gastronomic chapter in Concarneau

The chef behind L'Embrun restaurant in Brest is planning to move his kitchen to Concarneau, in the superb Stang-al-Lin manor house. The venue will also house a number of high-end suites.

Read

News & Events

Sébastien Vauxion opens a patisserie-café in Annecy

Sébastien Vauxion, of the Sarkara restaurant (4 toques) in Courchevel, is preparing to open a patisserie in the heart of Annecy. The place will be warm and accessible.

Read

Food & Health

Do you know this technique for harvesting truffles?

The black truffle season began in November and will last until February. It's the perfect time to try your hand at harvesting this prized mushroom.

Read

News & Events

American chefs who have chosen France

Over the past twenty years, many American toques have crossed the Atlantic Ocean to embark on French cuisine, giving a delicious boost to French traditions. Focus on five of them.

Read