Media Room

Le Cordon Bleu, a culinary and hospitality education institution, has inaugurated state-of-the-art training facilities at its Gurugram campus, in partnership with GD Goenka University. This initiative aims to provide world-class and hands-on training to future hospitality professionals.

The launch event was attended by several distinguished guests, including the Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, along with his wife, Cécile Mathou. Other key attendees included André Cointreau, President of Le Cordon Bleu; Charles Cointreau, Vice President for Le Cordon Bleu Asia Pacific; Renu Goenka, Vice Chairperson of GD Goenka Group; and Nipun Goenka, Managing Director of GD Goenka Group.

Mathou highlighted the strong cultural and educational ties between India and France, stating that “The collaboration between Le Cordon Bleu and its Indian partners reflects our shared commitment to fostering excellence in hospitality education. France and India share a passion for gastronomy, and the unveiling of the new facilities will further strengthen our cultural and educational exchanges.”

The new facilities include the East Wing, a 120-seat Theatre Demonstration, and the Goenka Fresh Hydroponic Polyhouse, which focusses on sustainable culinary training. These additions reflect Le Cordon Bleu’s dedication to integrating sustainability into hospitality education while equipping students with new industry skills.

André Cointreau, President of Le Cordon Bleu, emphasised the importance of training the next generation of hospitality professionals, noting that “India has an incredible young population, and we need to be at the forefront of developments in the hospitality industry, which is expected to double in just a few years. The industry offers significant job prospects, engaging careers, and strong recognition in the lifestyle sector. GD Goenka University and Le Cordon Bleu have partnered to pave the way for future advancements. Our goal is to become the leading institution in India related to hospitality training,’’ Nipun Goenka echoed these sentiments, stating that GD Goenka Group and Le Cordon Bleu have consistently offered exceptional infrastructure, global exposure, and innovative learning opportunities.

The inauguration also featured a panel discussion titled The Future of Hospitality Education: Vision 2030, with notable industry leaders such as Andre Cointreau, Charles Cointreau, Kush Kapoor (CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts), Dr. Nakul Anand (hospitality expert), and Arun Agarwal (former VP, Learning Institutes, ITC Hotels). The discussion explored evolving industry trends and the need for education to align with global benchmarks. Meanwhile, Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the NAAC Executive Committee, stressed the significance of positive human interactions in hospitality, particularly in an era of increasing automation.

The event concluded with the launch of a coffee table book and a celebratory dinner, showcasing the renowned culinary excellence of Le Cordon Bleu.