Cordon Bleu London Releases YouTube Tour

Many members of the Hospitality Industry are familiar with the Cordon Bleu in Paris but have not had time to tour the school's newly refurbished London center.

Happily you can now visually walk through the renovated British center thanks to a new YouTube video just released that not only highlights the center's outstanding new features but also reviews the history of the famed culinary school itself.  

But be warned in advanced, after viewing this informative clip, you'll want to visit in person - and why not: London is one of the world's great culinary cities. 

You will enjoy your trip and be inspirited by your visit.

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Hong Kong Ferran Wine Auction a Great Success

Sotheby’s has just completed their Hong Kong auction of Ferran Adrià’s wine from the world famous elBulli Restaurant. When the evening’s sales were totaled, the coffers of Ferran’s future Barcelona culinary research center were US$1.82 million richer.

The most sought after wines were in three lots of Romanée Conti wines from various years.  The Romanée Conti 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti lot fetched top dollar, commanding US$72,708 for just three bottles. 

The lot's final bid surpassed its original estimate auction value of US$33,547, certainly signaling many smiles from Sotheby’s wine staff. However, perhaps the most esteemed item auctioned off was an evening for four lucky guests with Chef Ferran Adrià himself in beautiful Barcelona, Spain. 

The bid packet consisted of a meeting with Chef Adrià at his culinary test kitchen El Bulli Taller, followed by dinner at his brother’s acclaimed tapas restaurant, Tickets La Vida Tapa.  The final winning bid for this evening of discovery and delight was an amazing US$28,451.

The funds generated by the auction will be well needed as the future elBulli Foundation is projected to cost US$7.7 million to build and another US$3.85 million annually to operate.

But Ferran need not fear. On April 26^th Sotheby’s will auction off the remaining elBulli 10,000 wines in New York City to what will surely be another recording breaking evening for wine lovers from around the world. Additionally, Spanish telecom and broadband provider Telefonica SA has signed on as a Foundation sponsor.

Ferran has also committed to prepare what are sure to be a legendary series of meals once a year for the 100 to 200 supporting Foundation members. 

The accumulated funds will result in a Foundation that, as Ferran recently told members of the press, will be "a mix of Cirque du Soleil, the Museo Dali and MIT’s media lab." Once completed, Ferran will most likely amazing the culinary world - yet once again.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Amazing New Ferran Video Shows Creative Plans for elBulli Foundation

Only a few days after Ferran Adria presented plans for his BulliPedia to members of the Hospitality Industry and the waiting press corp at the University of Barcelona, he released this stunning video documenting the concepts for his elBulli Foundation, set to open in early 2015. 

To see the future of creative cuisine as envisioned by Ferran and his remarkable staff, take a few moments and view this film in which he lays out his very thoughtful plans for the Center. 

All the components included are designed to preserve the original culinary discoveries of the historic elBulli Restaurant, create new culinary concepts, share them with everyone every where and finally, provide a mentoring environment for inquiry and innovation.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

El Bulli Cooking in Progress Is One Amazing Film

Well, the Oscars have been awarded in Hollywood and congratulations to all. But there is one film the members of the Hospitality Industry are all waiting to see in wider release and that's El Bulli - Cooking in Progress.

If you have not had a chance to read any of the film's glowing reviews, just check out the movie's trailer and you'll run, not walk, to the showing nearest you or purchase the DVD for your permanent collection. 

Truly an inspiring film about the nature and value of creativity!

POST NOTE, February 25, 2013: It’s finally confirmed! THERE WILL BE A SECOND FERRAN MOVIE!

Vendome Pictures has just announced they are moving ahead to turn Lisa Abend’s book, The Sorcerer’s Apprentices: A Season in the Kitchen at Ferran Adria's elBulli, into a new film.

The movie will focus on the drama of the young apprentice chefs going through the restaurant's famous training program. Besides Adria, the main characters will be his Chefs de Cuisine--Eduard Xatruch, Mateu Casanas, and Oriol Castro

There will also be a stunning range of stagiares: Katie Button, an American former biomedical researcher turned chef; Luke Jang, a Korean who paid his way to El Bulli by working in a slaughterhouse; Andrea Correa, a Colombian chef who gets to be Oriol's personal assistant; Roger Alcaraz, a son of Catalan goat farmers; and Gael Vuilloud, a young French chef who can't quite pick up Spanish.

But the big question is: Who will play Ferran? Abend has always thought of Johnny Depp in the central role.

And while no one can doubt his talent, for this role, he might have to gain some pounds.

But what better way to gain weight then while studying (and savoring) the cuisine for this world famous Chef and his amazingly talent staff.

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Harrods Hosts Chef Thomas Keller for Ten Very Special Days

The famed Harrods Department Store of London has always been a trend setter. From its beginning in 1849 with the motto ‘Everything for Everybody Everywhere’ and telegraphic address of ‘Everything London’, Harrods has set the fashion in everything from men’s wear to children’s toys.

Today is no different as Harrods hosts Chef Thomas Keller at a unique pop-up restaurant that will appear for ten days starting October 1^st in the legendary fourth floor Georgian Restaurant.

Keller, a three star Michelin chef, will recreate there for Harrods’ fortunate guests his esteemed northern California based restaurant, The French Laundry, as faithfully as possible including its actual décor and signature dinnerware.

For this his first European service event, Keller will blend French cuisine with American ingredients to create a set nine course culinary experience that is sure to be one of the most talked about restaurant events in London this fall.

In addition Keller will be presenting several new culinary creations devised especially for this unique Harrods event.

As reservations are, of course, required be sure to call early and know that as a result you be part of history in the making, all thanks to Harrods and the very talented Thomas Keller.   

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011