Definition

1. Noun:
   • An honor or award gained for excellence: Historically, a high distinction or award, originally referring to the blue ribbon of a French chivalric order.
   • A chef famous for his great skill: A cook of the highest class; an exceptionally skilled chef.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Award):

  • The prestigious culinary competition is the chef's chance to win the ultimate cordon bleu.
  • Her cooking was of such a high standard that it deserved a cordon bleu.

• Noun (Skilled Chef):

  • The restaurant hired a true cordon bleu to redesign its menu.
  • She trained in Paris and is considered a cordon bleu in pastry arts.

Advanced Usage

• Used attributively (as an adjective) to describe food or skill of the highest standard.
  • He prepared a cordon bleu meal for the ambassadors. (He prepared a meal of the highest culinary standard.)
  • The institute offers a cordon bleu course in classic French cuisine.

Variants and Related Words

• Cordon-bleu (adj): Often hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun.
  • A cordon-bleu cookery school.

Synonyms

• Award/Honor: accolade, distinction, honor, prize.
• Expert Chef: master chef, gourmet chef, culinary artist.

Related Phrases

• Cordon Bleu dish: While often referring to a specific dish like "chicken cordon bleu," this is a compound term. The core term "cordon bleu" alone signifies the award or the chef, not the dish.
  • The chicken cordon bleu was invented by a talented chef, but the term 'cordon bleu' itself refers to his skill.

Related Idioms

• Of cordon bleu standard: Used to describe something as being of the highest quality in its field, not just cooking.
  • Her report was of cordon bleu standard; every detail was perfect.

Noun

1. an honor or award gained for excellence
2. a chef famous for his great skill