Le Cordon Bleu announced a scholarship opportunity to one U.S. citizen, covers the $41,000 tuition required to attend the Institute’s Southern-most location – New Zealand -for a two-year professional culinary management program in Wellington. The lucky recipient will receive a first-class culinary and business education combining classical French techniques with new world innovation. Voting on the competition begins today.
A South Pacific nation of 4.4 million, New Zealand is a small and vibrant country packed with spectacular scenery, outdoor adventure, and exciting, diverse cuisine drawn from a fusion of Pacific flavors, indigenous Maori cuisine, and European heritage.
Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand Institute director, Cath Hopkin, says the school provides aspiring chefs with a level of training unmatched by other culinary schools.
“New Zealand food is distinguished by its superior quality and abundance of ingredients, including lamb, beef, seafood, wine, dairy products, and fresh produce. Our students not only work with the best ingredients every day, but they visit the farms, wineries, and artisan producers where they’re sourced,” she says.
This ‘pasture to plate’ teaching approach is unique to Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand.
“Students still receive practical French culinary training from the master chefs Le Cordon Bleu is famous for. But with easy access to the country’s famous wine regions, produce growers and farms, we’re able to provide a beyond-the-classroom education that gives our students in-depth knowledge of ingredients they’ll use throughout their careers,” says Hopkin.
Wellington, labeled by the Lonely Planet travel guide as “the coolest little capital in the world”, is a compact and bustling city filled with students who attend the city’s many education institutions.
“There’s always something new to discover. A food lover’s paradise, Wellington’s packed with top cafés, restaurants and bars, and live music, art, theatre and comedy are constantly on offer. For outdoor adventurers there’s easy access to sailing, mountain biking and hiking, with skiing close by,” Hopkin says.
To apply for the scholarship, applicants need to make a short video explaining why they deserve to study at Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand, and upload to http://scholarship.lecordonbleu.co.nz by August 16. Study commences in January 2014.
