Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Launches New Wine and Beverage Certificate Program

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A leading culinary arts education provider, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts is launching a new Le Cordon Bleu Wine and Beverage Certification Program to build on its long-standing culinary excellence and provide training for students to advance in the industry as sommeliers, wine experts and managers.

In the past, wine sales have risen¹ and the U.S. market is continuing to show signs of growth in the spirits category². The new program is designed to assist professionals in the field seeking to enhance their knowledge and looking for educational opportunities to answer questions about beverages. From understanding the various wine-producing regions around the world to developing a discerning palate to recognize different flavor profiles, textures, aromas and acidity, students participating in the comprehensive program will learn the skills and techniques to pursue key certifications required for professionals in the wine and beverage industry.

"Le Cordon Bleu created the new Wine and Beverage Certificate program to give students more opportunities to pursue their passions," said Lachlan Sands, M.Ed. CCC CCE, President, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles. "As the industry continues to demand expertise in this area, this program allows hospitality service professionals to take their education to the next level. Through it, we will teach the specialized knowledge and fundamental skills for running a successful beverage program."

The new program will further Le Cordon Bleu's approach of providing in-depth, hands-on instruction through in-class tastings, student presentations, practical instructions, lectures, readings, research and beverage evaluations. The extensive program will help prepare students for professional certification exams required to pursue careers in the field, including the Level I and Level II examinations offered by the esteemed Court of Master Sommeliers, applicable State responsible alcohol service requirements and ANSI-CFP Sanitation. Students will also have the opportunity to earn certification for the U.S. Bartenders' Guild Spirits Professional and Advanced Bartending programs, aiming to improve customer-bartender relations and increase the prestige and knowledge of practicing bartenders.

"More than a program for sommeliers, we built this curriculum to offer even more opportunities for individuals to pursue a non-traditional culinary career path in an evolving field," said Anna Vasquez, Vice President of Operations at Le Cordon Bleu. "Expanding our offerings is one more way Le Cordon Bleu is demonstrating its leadership and commitment to providing specialty programs for the entire foodservice and hospitality industries."

Course offerings will range from Wine Fundamentals and Food and Wine Pairing Principles to Mixology and Advanced Service. While the program will cover all aspects of the beverage industry, including coffee, tea, soda, beer and mixed drinks, due to the nature of the subject matter and because consumption of alcoholic beverages is an essential part of the program, those interested in the program must be 21 or older to enroll. Graduates of the program will receive the Certificate in Le Cordon Bleu Wine and Beverage and the internationally-recognized Le Cordon Bleu Diplôme.

Students can now enroll in the new Wine and Beverage Certification Program at the Le Cordon Bleu Chicago campus. Enrollment in the program at the Los Angeles campus will begin on August 20 this year, with additional campuses planning to offer the program in the future.

For those interested in learning more about the Le Cordon Bleu Wine and Beverage Program visit www.chefs.edu and click on culinary arts programs under the programs tab.

About Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

Le Cordon Bleu North America is a leading provider of quality culinary arts education in North America. The network of 16 schools in the United States offers culinary and baking students a hands-on training alongside faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue opportunities in the culinary and hospitality industry. Find employment rates, student financial obligations and other disclosures at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Le Cordon Bleu is a member of the Career Education Corporation CECO network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information about Le Cordon Bleu, visit www.Chefs.edu.

Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation in North America for educational services.

¹ Silicon Valley Bank. ''Wine Report: State of the Wine Industry 2015.'' http://www.svb.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Blogs/Wine_Report/2015_Wine_Report/wine-report-2015-pdf.pdf

² Rabobank. ''Spirits Quarterly Q1 2015.'' https://d21buns5ku92am.cloudfront.net/27385/documents/25189-Rabobank_Spirits_Quarterly_Q12015-d492d4.pdf

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