Learn about Le Cordon B;eu from French masters

Academie d'Art Culinaire Le Cordon Bleu, founded in Paris in 1895, is always associated with century-old gastronomic artistry that not only pleases the taste buds but also feeds the imagination.

This week, two masterchefs from the culinary academy, master patisserie chef Alain Jacques (right) and masterchef Yann Barraud (left) are in Jakarta to tempt the taste buds of local food lovers in a six-day-long dinning experience, ending on Sept. 20, 2003, at Margaux French restaurant, Shangri-La Jakarta.

The masterchefs, both of whom are members of the academy's teaching staff, will also prepare cutting-edge dishes for the hotel's special program on Sept. 19, dubbed Le Cordon Bleu Dinner and Opera, featuring two opera singers -- Italian tenor Angelo Marenzi and award winning soprano Lorraine Nawa Jones -- at the hotel's poolside. Members of the public can participate in what promises to be a memorable evening under the stars for Rp 499,000++.

Besides serving a plethora of glorious creations, the two masterchefs will also separately demonstrate their fine skills in patisserie and French cuisine cooking classes, scheduled for Sept. 19 and Sept. 20 respectively. The fee for participants in each cooking class is Rp 240,000++.

-- Maria Endah Hulupi