The institution that’s preserved and enshrined the Classic French Way of cooking since 1895 turns 130 this year. Le Cordon Bleu is going stronger than ever, and is planning an entire year of celebrations…
Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa…
Even folks who don’t know much about top-notch cooking know the name ‘Le Cordon Bleu’. It’s synonymous with the classic traditions of French Cooking and its graduates have taken their skills and knowledge to more than 100 countries around the world…
A select few
Not unlike the US Marines, Le Cordon Bleu is constantly searching for ‘a few good men’ (and women).
The school’s main campus in Paris only graduates a scant few dozen new certified Chefs each year. And it’s their destiny to preserve and practice the classic traditions of French cooking – and event-ually to pass them on to generations to come.
The exclusivity of the Cordon Bleu ‘brand’ and the exacting, excruciating program chef hopefuls must complete to be awarded the school’s coveted medallion are symbols of the high regard in which their custodians hold the school’s own tradition.
Did you know?
Le Cordon Bleu, “is considered to be the guardian of French culinary […] arts that have been the cornerstone of French gastronomy for over 500 years.”
The organization has established, “more than 35 institutes in 20 countries ,and 20,000 students of over 100 nationalities are trained every year.”
Le Cordon Bleu not only teaches cooking but offers, “Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business that focus on the demands of a growing international hospitality industry”
Graduates have not only gone on to careers as practicing Chefs, but to, “careers in a wide variety of fields, including […] restaurant and hotel management, journalism, consulting, food service, food styling, and education.”
2024 Le Cordon Bleu milestones, “included Michelin recognition for alumni in Madrid, Thailand, Australia and Singapore, success on MasterChef Indonesia and a triple Gold Star win at the Great Taste Awards.
… And I’m particularly proud to report that Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa (my home town!) won North America’s Best Culinary Institute for the third year running, in 2024!
My take
One of the hallmarks of the Le Cordon Bleu tradition has always been that, as well as preserving and protecting the classic French Way, it has kept up with the best of new techniques and new foods as they enter the global culinary mainstream.
It’s no exaggeration to say that there is no other organization quite like Le Cordon Bleu. Nor is there ever likely to be another.
Joyeux anniversaire, mesdames et messieurs !
~ Maggie J.