Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Tourism scholarship program

People who love food, wine and travel now have the opportunity to turn their passion into a career through the Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Tourism scholarship program. Now accepting applicants through the Le Cordon Bleu website, 2016 scholarships will be awarded to three talented individuals hungry to capitalise on a growing trend in global tourism.

This scholarship program, launched in 2012, offers three (3) categories and is open to those working in (1) media and communication, (2) education and (3) food, wine, hospitality or tourism.  Appealing to those keen to hone their skills and broaden their knowledge in areas such as food history, culinary tourism, marketing, food and wine technology or food and wine writing, this generous scholarship has already invested more than $45,000 to help people achieve their dream of a career in gastronomy or tourism.

Maggie Beer, chef and well-known Barossa food advocate said that:  “Training is so essential to truly make the most of this hankering for holistic gastronomic experiences, and courses such as this ensure strong agricultural areas will continue to appeal to travellers, not just for their beauty but for the behind-the-scenes glimpse they offer into food production.”

Jules McMurtrie, a success story from the 2015 Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Tourism scholarship program, who will commence her studies this month, reflects on the importance of providing culinary tourism experiences, which bring the horti and agricultural sectors as well as the hospitality industry together.

To have teachers, chefs and farmers meeting and learning together can only help increase the depth and quality of food experiences available moving into the future, McMurtrie said.

 “I was thrilled to be part of the Le Cordon Bleu program which carries such prestige, and I’m grateful to have received the scholarship, which has only enhanced my passion for food and wine and how it interconnects with our lives.”

Academic Director at Le Cordon Bleu Dr Roger Haden is looking forward to getting to know this year’s applicants.

“The enthusiasm expressed from applicants in the past really signifies how the Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Tourism continues to be held in high esteem by all prospective students,” Haden said.

The demand from both local and international tourists for regional food and wine experiences has never been stronger and these students will become future leaders of this growth industry.

According to research by the Australian Tourism Commission, 53 per cent of tourists view food and wine experiences as the number one highlight of their trip to Australia. This, coupled with the fact that Australia is considered only second to France in food and wine experiences by overseas travellers, provides evidence of the vital need for education and training for the growth of this industry.

The Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Tourism, delivered entirely online in partnership with Southern Cross University, specialises in the needs of those operating food and wine tourism businesses. It is the only program of its kind available in Australia and more than 100 students from around the world are currently studying in the program. This innovative program reimagines tourism education and enriches the industry by educating students to build an understanding of local food ideas and initiatives, skills in revitalising and building regional food cultures, insights into the economic and social impacts of tourism, as well as adopting a more conscious approach to eating and drinking.

Students can apply on the Le Cordon Bleu Australia website. Applications close on Friday 31 October 2015.