The great work of chefs and those in the hospitality industry is often gone once guests leave the restaurant, but a new Hall of Fame at the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago will showcase the work of the best in the industry. Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago has been chosen to house the new International Food & Beverage Forum “Hall of Fame.”
Launched June 23, the new International Food & Beverage Forum Hall of Fame provides international recognition for prestigious chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and other food and beverage personalities. The Hall of Fame features certificates, historic menus, commemorative plates from special dinners held around the world, and other items to showcase the success of these respected professionals.
“The new International Food & Beverage Forum Hall of Fame is a gem to share with current and prospective students, as well as visitors to our school,” says Kirk T. Bachmann, president of Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. “It is an honor for us to permanently house this collection on our campus, as it will serve as a great source of inspiration and a valuable resource to aid in our students’ professional development.”
The grand-opening celebrations began with a 20th-anniversary gala dinner on June 22 at Technique restaurant on the campus of Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed the next day with remarks from Dr. hc Kurt H. Fischer, founder of the International Food & Beverage Forum. “Le Cordon Bleu is a perfect match for the International Food & Beverage Forum as both organizations share a passion for excellence in the hospitality industry,” Fischer says. “The Chicago location is an ideal home for the International Food & Beverage Forum Hall of Fame to showcase the great work of food and beverage industry personalities who have come before these students and will fuel their passion for the industry.”
Recognized as a premier global association honoring the world’s hospitality professionals, the International Food & Beverage Forum was founded in 1993 under the leadership of Fischer. It is limited to 50 active members to ensure the nonprofit association is a close circle of highly recognized individuals with the mission to enhance global dialogue, knowledge and viable creativity and to foster the education of young hospitality professionals. In 1998, members of the Forum created The International Food & Beverage Forum Hall of Fame, which has honored such industry luminaries as André Cointreau, Robert Mondavi, Steve Wynn, Ruth Fertel and Alain Ducasse.
In 2003, the International Food & Beverage Forum Hall of Fame Society was founded in order to give non-food and beverage professionals the opportunity to join the efforts to foster the education of young hospitality professionals through the International Food & Beverage Forum scholarship program. To date, 135 scholarships valued at more than $650,000 have been distributed.