Le Cordon Bleu, the leading Global Network of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institutes, celebrated the continuous cooperation with Université Saint Esprit Du Kaslik (USEK) and the official opening of its Culinary Arts Institute.

The celebration is hosted by André Cointreau, president of Le Cordon Bleu International. The new institute gives students the opportunity to follow Le Cordon Bleu culinary training programs such as Le Grand Diplôme, Cuisine and Pastry Diplomas, and also has a range of culinary workshops for the general public. These curriculums are taught by a team of permanent chefs.

The standard of these training programs is identical to those available in the other Le Cordon Bleu campuses, giving students the opportunity to continue their training within the international network. Le Cordon Bleu Grand Diplôme, recognized for its excellence in the cuisine and hospitality sectors, is made up of the Cuisine Diploma and the Pastry Diploma. Each diploma has three levels: basic, intermediate and superior. The lessons are taught by prominent Chefs, most of whom come from Michelin-starred restaurants or have received prestigious awards such as the title of One of the Best Craftsmen in France (Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France – MOF).

The new Beirut campus is fitted out with ultramodern equipment and the latest technology, providing students with the perfect environment in which to achieve excellence. The institute has three demonstration rooms, one of which has the capacity to seat 80 people and three practical classrooms for cuisine and pastry lessons. Overlooking the sea, the training center also has an aromatic herb garden, a library, a student area and a private student car park. All lessons are taught in English. Le Cordon Bleu has been present in Beirut since 2004. In partnership with Saint-Esprit de Kaslik (USEK) University, it has been teaching programs in English with an international scope with a double diploma, Bachelor of Business Administration – Hotel Management (USEK) and Bachelor of Business in International Hotel and Tourism Management (Le Cordon Bleu), for the past 12 years.

During this celebration, Cointreau honored Nouhad Dammous, who was the first Lebanese in the hospitality industry to hold a Honoris Causa and was awarded with a National Order of the Cedar in 2013 by the President of the Republic of Lebanon, by naming one of the demo rooms under his name. The celebration is followed by a dinner at Signatures by Le Cordon Bleu, located on the 14th floor of BURJ on BAY Hotel. Attendees include USEK council, business faculty members and alumni, Hospitality Services management, officials & public figures.