General Information & Policies
We appreciate your interest in PreGel AMERICA and our products. If you share our passion for creating great gelato, sorbetto, frozen yogurt, pastries and frozen desserts, and want to turn that passion into a successful business, then you are in the right place! With ten years of experience training students in the artisan world of gelato, you can be confident that you will leave our school with a wide-range of knowledge, confidence and support necessary to be successful in the gelato, pastry and specialty desserts business.
Program Overview
Our classes are designed for beginners and experienced students alike. Our Gelato and Soft Serve Classes provide a broad understanding of how to produce these products and build a successful business based on quality. Our Pastry and Specialty Frozen Desserts Classes focus on different pastry and desserts options out there and how to effectively produce and sell them. But in all cases, our signature approach has been to provide students with both a solid classroom learning experience and hands-on instruction. It is our personal goal to make sure that no one leaves our classes disappointed or ill-equipped to succeed in their business.
We offer the following class types:
- The Fundamentals of Gelato and Sorbetto Production
(Three-day course) - Advanced Gelato and Sorbetto Production
(Two-day course) - Frozen Pops and Novelties
(One-day course) - Frozen Cakes and Pies: Frozen Dessert Basics
(Two-day course) - Redefining Soft Serve - The Basics of Tenero
(One-day course) - Pastry for Catering & Buffet Events
(Two-day course) - American Classics: Cakes, Pies, and Cupcakes
(Three-day course)
Typical Class Structure
As a general rule, classes last about seven hours and normally run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, make sure to check the curriculum of each class for the detailed information. The classes consist of two parts: classroom theory and hands-on participation. Our instructors are always available during breaks if you'd like to go over the class topics or discuss your individual needs. Lunch is provided by PreGel AMERICA.
Consecutive-Day Classes
Please note that many of our classes are offered on consecutive days. This means that rather than coming for only one or two days of training, we recommend you to enroll in a couple classes, making it convenient and flexible.
Our Instructors
Attendees are encouraged to explore the world of gelato and desserts under the guidance of our distinguished instructors. Well trained chefs and experts in their field will bring all of their experiences to the classroom.
Continuing Education Hours
The Training Center's core classes have been approved by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) for Continuing Education Hours (CEHs). Classes indicated with CEHs meet the ACF continuing education standards. Attendance at these classes will earn ACF continuing education hours (CEHs) towards ACF initial and renewal certification. The following classes have been approved for:
- 4.75 CEHs Redefining Soft Serve: The Basics of Tenero
- 5.75 CEHs Frozen Pops and Novelties
- 10.75 CEHs Frozen Cakes and Pies: Frozen Desserts Basics
- 11.0 CEHs Advanced Gelato & Sorbetto Production
- 11.0 CEHs Pastry for Catering & Buffet Events
- 16.5 CEHs The Fundamentals of Gelato & Sorbetto Production
- 16.75 CEHs American Classics: Cakes, Pies, and Cupcakes
The ACF is the largest professional chefs' organization in North America. Institutions and programs that earn approval from the ACF show a commitment to excellence to both students and leading employers in the culinary-arts industry.
Awarding of Certificates
A Certificate of Completion is awarded to each student completing any of our classes. The Certificate affirms that each student has successfully passed a test and reached a specific standard of knowledge.
Equipment
Our fully-equipped Training Facility has a variety of the batch freezers, display cases, blast freezers, soft serve machines, pastry tools and equipment that will give you a great opportunity to choose from the latest technologies in the business.
Recipes
Recipes and instructions are provided for class use and are encouraged to be taken home.
Clothing
We suggest you dress in comfortable, casual clothing and flat, comfortable, closed-toe shoes. You may not wear open-toed shoes or sandals. Also, for comfort, hygiene, and safety, all attendees must wear long pants during class, and if you have long hair, it should be pulled back. PreGel will provide labcoats to wear during class.
Hygiene
Make sure to wash and sanitize your hands every time before making any product in the kitchen. Long hair must be restrained.
Cellular Phone Policy
Cellular phones must be turned off or placed on silent at all times while class is in session. While we request that you do not talk on your phone during class, you may do so if necessary in the hallway, outside of the classroom or kitchen. Cellular phones are permissible during the scheduled break periods.
Personal Baggage Policy
Bags of any kind are not permitted in the Training Center. These include, but are not limited to, suitcases, backpacks, laptop bags, and purses. All bags can be placed in the Wardrobe room while in class. The Wardrobe room has shelf space available for any attendees that would like to utilize it.
Directions
The PreGel AMERICA Professional Training Center is located at 4450 Fortune Ave. NW, Concord, NC 28027, just northeast of Charlotte. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes (25 miles) to drive from Charlotte Douglas Airport to our facility. The local airport code for Charlotte Douglas Airport is CLT.
Accommodations and Airport Shuttle Service
We are pleased to offer you this list of local hotel accommodations. The hotels are nearby and offer a special rate for our students. Please remember to mention PreGel AMERICA to lock in the corporate rate. These hotels offer transportation to PreGel for the training classes and each afternoon back to the hotel. Please remember to ask the front desk about the scheduled departure time.
Airport Shuttle Service Option
On the Wagon Shuttle, LLC
Contact Person: Ric Starnes
Phone: 704-449-4279
Web site: www.callonthewagon.com
Rates: $45 for transportation from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to PreGel AMERICA or nearby hotels.
Basic Rate for other services start around $35 and vary depending on distance
*Please book at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability for the correct pick-up time
*Gratuities welcomed (but not required)
Accommodations
Hampton Inn & Suites
Phone: 704-979-5600
Address: 9850 Weddington Road
Concord, NC 28027
Web site: www.hamptoninn.com
Distance from PreGel AMERICA: 6.85 miles, approximately 7 minutes
Special Offers: Free shuttle service to and from PreGel AMERICA plus a complimentary daily hot breakfast
*Please request the PreGel Corporate rate – Corporate Account Number: 02696541
Hilton Garden Inn
Phone: 704-979-2900
Address: 7831 Gateway Lane NW
Concord, NC 28027
Web site: Hilton Garden Inn
Distance from PreGel AMERICA: 7.3 miles, approximately 12 minutes
Special Offers: Free shuttle service to and from PreGel AMERICA plus rate includes complimentary breakfast for one
*Please request the PreGel Corporate rate - Corporate Account Number: 2721901
Wingate by Wyndham
Phone: 704-979-1300
Address: 7841 Gateway Lane NW
Concord, NC 28027
Website: Wingate by Wyndham
Distance from PreGel AMERICA: 7.3 miles, approximately 12 minutes
Special Offer: Free shuttle service to and from PreGel AMERICA plus a complimentary daily hot breakfast
*Please request the "PreGel AMERICA" Corporate rate
General Policies
Class Fees
PreGel AMERICA charges a single registration fee per person for participation in each class, in the following designated amounts:
- $50 One Day Course (Tenero, Frozen Pops and Novelties)
- $60 Two Day Course (Advanced Gelato; Frozen Cakes and Pies; Pastry for Catering)
- $70 Three Day Course (Fundamentals of Gelato; Cakes, Pies and Cupcakes)
PreGel offers lunch during all of our training classes free of charge. Please note that registration cannot be confirmed until payment is received.
Cancellation
In case you are unable to attend a scheduled class, please let us know as soon as possible. Registered students must contact PreGel to cancel their attendance in a general class a minimum of two business days in advance in order to get a full refund. Refunds will not be available for registrants who choose not to attend a class without prior notification.
PreGel AMERICA reserves the right to cancel our classes. In case of cancellation, all students will be notified a week in advance and the registration fee will be credited.
Learn & Save Offer
The Learn & Save Offer is valid for the following classes:
- The Fundamentals of Gelato and Sorbetto Production
- Advanced Gelato and Sorbetto Production
- Frozen Cakes and Pies - Frozen Desserts Basics
- Redefining Soft Serve: The Basics of Tenero
Upon completion of each class, attendees will be presented with a special coupon for a $250 discount on an order of PreGel products. The offer is valid for 45 days upon completion of the class, and only good on one order, with a minimum purchase order of $1000. You may only redeem one coupon per class taken per class type. Orders must be placed directly with PreGel AMERICA. This discount cannot be applied to backordered products, or combined with any other offers or promotions. One coupon per company.
Photographs and Videos
No recordings, audio or video are permitted during the classes. You are welcome to take photographs inside the Training Center. Photographs of anything outside of the designated Training Center are prohibited.
Allergens
If you have any allergic reactions to certain foods or ingredients please let us know before the start of the class.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages may be used in certain classes for gelato and pastry production. However, outside alcohol cannot be brought into the classes. School participants may be asked to present identification to prove that they are of legal North Carolina State drinking age and will be held responsible for limiting their consumption of alcohol to safe amount. Pregnant women, people who will be driving, and people on certain medications should not consume alcohol.
Smoking
No smoking of tobacco products is permitted within the PreGel facilities or on the property at any time.
