Considered by many to be the most prestigious culinary school in the world, Le Cordon Bleu continues to strive in the education of hospitality management and culinary arts.
By Sami Kawahara
Next year will mark their 120th year milestone, and with this experience comes a certain level of tradition and prominence that is well respected not only in the culinary world, but also for anyone familiar with fine dining. Starting off as a small culinary school in Paris, the company has expanded worldwide to 27 different countries with an international alumni network of 300,000 people.
One of the creations of students in the cuisine program…
Le Cordon Bleu has produced many world-renowned chefs and creators of Michelin star restaurants, and has even made its way into mainstream media, featuring in many books and Hollywood films. Famous chef and Food Network star, Mario Batali, as well as the subject of a popular movie played by Academy-award winner Meryl Streep, Julia Child, are just two examples of success stories that have roots in Le Cordon Bleu.
In Japan, there are two Le Cordon Bleu schools located in Tokyo and Kobe. Founded in Daikanyama in 1991, the Tokyo school offers cuisine, pastry, and bakery programs in Japanese, English, and Chinese, welcoming international and Japanese students together. The courses range in level from Initiation to Superior or Advanced, and the number of lessons in each class varies from 20 to 23 sessions, allowing for an intense study in the culinary modules.
The Grand Diplome is the most comprehensive training, as students learn French culinary techniques and how to apply them to any cuisine, in addition to developing the full range of skills in French pastry. Throughout the training, demonstrations, tastings, and individual, practical, hands-on classes, are set up to develop students’ palates and skills. But even if you’re not the next Julia Child, or don’t plan on spending nights whipping up gourmet food in the kitchen, you can still experience Le Cordon Bleu in Tokyo.
…and from the pastry program
Located just a few steps away from Daikanyama Station, La Boutique Cafe is a delicious opportunity for customers to taste the hard work of Le Cordon Bleu’s chefs, pâtissiers and bakers. The café offers an assortment of cakes, deli items, arguably the best French bread in Tokyo, a small range of wines and beers and a charming terrace area where you can just sit and watch the world go by.
Le Cordon Bleu Tokyo is an Approved Program Provider for the internationally recognized Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Given the popularity of the programs, the Daikanyama school will expand their offering to include English programs from July. The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines is a one-day program in which students can learn about the different types of grapes and wines, and get an introduction to wine-making and food and wine matching. The wine course will be taught by Richard Dawson, owner of Parabola wine bar in Nishi Azabu and The Devil in the Grape wine company.
As the only International Culinary Arts School in Japan, Le Cordon Bleu Japan has 6,000 students participating in its culinary classes each year and 850 students in the diploma program, 60% of whom are international students. Lessons are assisted by interpreters, and students can choose the language in which they prefer to study to benefit from an international experience while being in Japan.
From beginners interested in all culinary arts to professionals looking to improve their skills and master the art of fine cuisine, Le Cordon Bleu Japan offers a full spectrum of programs to get involved in. And to start, check out La Boutique Café for a free coffee or tea, compliments of Le Cordon Bleu Tokyo.
La Boutique Le Cordon Bleu
La Boutique Le Cordon Bleu
Open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 7:00pm ( L.O. to eat-in 6:30pm)
Closed on Monday
Free coffee or tea to to customers who quote the article in the weekender (basic tea or coffee only)
http://www.cordonbleu.co.jp/tokyo/cafelaboutique/jp
https://www.facebook.com/la.boutique.japan
Free coffee or tea to customers who mention this article (basic tea or coffee only)
Course Information
NEW: English WSET 1 Awards in Wines from July 26th. Classic Cycle in English: Cuisine, Bakery, and Pastry programs. For inquiries or a private counselling appointment:
[email protected]
NEW Course Launch: English WSET program
WSET 1: July 26th, 2014, 9:30m ~ 6:00 pm
Diploma and classes in English:
Pastry in Summer and Autumn 2014
Bakery in Summer 2014
Cuisine from Autumn 2014
For a private counselling appointment and details,
email [email protected]
Address: 28-13, Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0033 (see map below)
Tel: 03-5489-0141 (EN/FR/CN/JP)
Web: www.cordonbleu.edu/tokyo/home-en/en
By Train: Tokyu Toyoko Daikanyama station 2min. JR Yamanote or Hibiya line Ebisu station 10min.
