Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila was officially inaugurated in the Philippines on April 5, 2019 at the Ateneo de Manila University. During the opening ceremony, distinct personalities and leaders from the education, hospitality, culinary, and tourism industries were present. Leading the opening rites were Ateneo President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin and Le Cordon Bleu President and CEO André J. Cointreau.
This opening is the result of a joint venture between Le Cordon Bleu and the Ateneo de Manila University, to propose the finest culinary educational programs with premium business and management expertise.
Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila Institute aims to support the Gastronomy industry’s evolution, while upgrading the skills and expertise of local enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. In this, Le Cordon Bleu and Ateneo de Manila University partnership is founded on the desire to contribute to national development by making a unique contribution to one of the pillars of the national economic development plan: the tourism and hospitality industry.
The first programme proposed is the B.S. Restaurant Entrepreneurship, which will train professionals to harness the rich local potential and create economic opportunity and jobs locally, but also internationally.
Strong, Compelling Partnership
This partnership between Le Cordon Bleu and the Ateneo de Manila is a natural offshoot of their shared hundred-year old traditions of service and excellence, and commitment to quality. Founded in 1859 by the Society of Jesus, the Ateneo is one of the oldest universities in the Philippines. Le Cordon Bleu was founded in 1895, with over 120 years of teaching Excellence in the culinary arts and hospitality management. These shared values provide the strongest of foundations to ensure an enduring partnership that can make a difference in the Philippines’ hotel, tourism and gastronomy sectors.
Creating the Premium Learning Experience
The first facility, inaugurated on April 5, 2019, occupies over 1,000 square meters on the ground floor of Arete, in the Loyola Heights, QC campus of the Ateneo. It currently includes a variety of cuisine and pastry kitchens, demonstration rooms and lecture rooms. A teaching restaurant and wine bar will open later this year.
A second facility, under construction will sit on another 1,000 square meters, this time in the Ateneo Professional Schools building in Rockwell Center, Makati City.
Undergraduate Degree Program
As its initial offering, LCB Ateneo de Manila will be offering a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Restaurant Entrepreneurship. This programme will focus on integrating theory and hands-on practical experience with a strong management and service orientation. It will provide a global perspective into cuisine, gastronomy, and hospitality management, and is targeted at young men and women who would like to set up their own restaurants and food-related businesses.
The Restaurant Entrepreneurship programme is a Double Diploma. 22 students are already currently enrolled in the program, with a new, much larger intake of freshmen projected for August 2019.