Culinary Excellence Unveiled: DCT Abu Dhabi Set to Inaugurate UAE's Premier Le Cordon Bleu Institute

The culinary training school will open in the first quarter of 2025 and its announcement comes after DCT Abu Dhabi confirmed Alain Ducass‘s École Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio would open this month.

Le Cordon Bleu Abu Dhabi will offer specialisations in the fields of maritime sustainability and food security and will be located in Aldar Properties’ The Grove on Saadiyat Island. His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “At DCT Abu Dhabi, we pursue excellence across all our activities by collaborating with world-leading organisations and top talent. This collaboration with the globally renowned Le Cordon Bleu will enable us to redefine culinary education in the region, nurturing creative talent while shaping the future of food to advance the emirate’s status as a hub of diverse gastronomic experiences.”

DCT Abu Dhabi announced an AED360 million Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund earlier in 2023, which will introduce leading brands to the UAE capital over five years and accelerate Abu Dhabi’s development as a rapidly growing gastronomical hub.

André J. Cointreau, president of Le Cordon Bleu, said: “Founded in 1895 in Paris, Le Cordon Bleu is recognised worldwide for its excellence in education, with programmes ranging from diploma level up to Bachelor’s, Master’s and research projects, and in providing students with an international ‘passport’ for a career in the food, nutrition, restaurant and hospitality industries.

“This can be seen by the numerous success stories of its alums, including many Michelin-starred chefs and many illustrious alums, ranging from Julia Childs to Giada de Laurentiis, from Dame Mary Berry to Gaston Acurio, from Maria Pía León to Virgilio Martinez, from Yotam Ottolenghi to Vicky Lau, to mention a few.

“Le Cordon Bleu is eager to start welcoming students to the Abu Dhabi Institute and open our doors to our exclusive alumni network.”

With an international network of 35 institutes spanning 20 countries and over 20,000 students worldwide, Le Cordon Bleu has established itself as a hub of culinary education, French haute cuisine and international hospitality management.