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Andre Cointreau is a member of La Chaîne des Rotisseurs’ Conseil d’Honneur and a Chevalier d’Honneur, a title only bestowed upon those who are most prominent and respected in their fields.

As President of Le Cordon Bleu, he is a true international ambassador of the French art of living, gastronomy and culture.

André Cointreau is a direct descendant of the founding families of Cointreau Liqueur and Remy Martin Cognac. But it was in 1984, when he was Commercial Director, that a branch of the Cointreau family acquired Le Cordon Bleu School, which was founded in 1895 and renowned for its diversification and its affinity with the gastronomic world. André Cointreau was appointed its President.

Today Le Cordon Bleu encompasses over 30 international schools in 15 countries (North America, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe). For more than a century Le Cordon Bleu has offered a comprehensive programme based on French culinary techniques. Since 1992, Le Cordon Bleu has also offered business certificates and diplomas in restaurant, hotel and tourism management. Among these programs are Bachelors and MBA’s including “on line” courses and a Masters of Arts in Gastronomy.

Le Cordon Bleu’s network of former students are today’s hotel managers, restaurant or pastry shop owners, chefs at prestigious restaurants and leaders in the world of gastronomy and hospitality. Working across the globe, their knowledge and experience provides inspiration and motivation to current and future students.

Complementing the educational activities, Le Cordon Bleu is also dedicated to culinary consulting opening restaurants, bakeries and tea salons across the globe and developing a range of gourmet products and home furnishings, cooking magazines and cookbooks for both amateurs and professionals.

As André Cointreau has developed his career and the Le Cordon brand he has been recognised by many educational and culinary establishments throughout the world. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities such as Sookmyung University in Seoul, Anahuac University in Mexico and Interamericana University in Central America. In 2003 he was recognised as «Person of the Year» by the Fédération of the Alliances Françaises in the United States for his contribution in support of French Culture, as well as the Silver Medal of the City of Paris. Last April, the Journal Officiel de la République Française announced the nomination of André Cointreau and he received the insignia from Jean-Pierre de Launoit, President of the Fondation Alliance Française, on January 23rd 2008 at the Cité du Patrimoine et de l’Architecture in Paris.

La Chaîne has had the privilege of working together in close partnership with Le Cordon Bleu who have sponsored our own Jeunes Commis Rotisseurs for many years. Le Cordon Bleu Paris will be the host to the final of this year’s ‘Jeunes Commis’ Competition, which is to be held on 19 September. The GB finals will again feature the regions best young chefs and in June they will come together at Le Cordon Bleu’s London school where they will be required to prepare a 3-course meal under the watchful eye of Lesley Gray, Principal of Le Cordon Bleu Cookery School and other prominent judges.

Although Le Cordon Bleu’s reputation is built upon its strong ties to professional development, non-professionals are welcomed at Le Cordon Bleu schools for short cooking classes. These culinary discovery programmes are available year round and they are perfect for those food lovers wanting to learn cooking tips and chef’s secrets. The Le Cordon Bleu website will give you all the information you need.