Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

Women are an integral part of hospitality, and we are proud to count many gifted and highly skilled women in our alumni network, including Michelin-starred chefs and culinary competition winners, published cookbook authors, successful business owners and entrepreneurs to name a few.

We have a wealth of incredible alumni from our international network, and regularly share their achievements and success stories. Here is a sample of the inspirational women we are proud to count as part of our international alumni network -

Michelle Goh

Michelle Goh gained a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery in 2013 from Le Cordodn Bleu Sydney before moving to Thailand to open her restaurant, Mia, serving modern European cuisine.

In 2024 Michelle became the youngest Malaysian female chef to receive a Michelin-star for Mia.
 

Garima Arora

Garima Arora gained a Grand Diplôme^® from Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2010. In 2017 she opened her restaurant, Gaa, in Bangkok and was awarded her first Michelin-star in 2018, making Garima the first Indian female chef to gain a Michelin star.

She received a second Michelin-star in December 2023, the first female chef in India to do so. 

Belinda Christina

Belinda Christina studied the Diplôme de Cuisine in 2017 and Diplôme Avancé Culinaire in Cuisine in 2019 at Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand.

In 2023, Belinda won MasterChef Indonesia season 11, showcasing her culinary skill and besting the 23 other contestants. 

Karyn Tomlinson

Karyn Tomlinson studied Cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2010. Following this she gained experience in a variety of roles, including interning at Fäviken in Sweden and winning the national whole animal butchery competition, Grand Cochon, in the US.

In 2021, Karyn opened Myriel, her first restaurant, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Pooja Dhingra

Pooja Dhingra completed the Diplôme de Pâtisserie in 2008 at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. She went on to open Le15 Patisserie in 2010, specialising in macarons.

Pooja is now a successful businesswoman delivering her products throughout India and has published two cookbooks.

Luciana Berry

Luciana Berry graduated with a Diplôme de Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu London in 2014, going on to open a catering company before winning Top Chef Brazil in 2021.

Luciana offers private dining and workshops to clients, and is an ambassador for Brazilian cuisine and culture in the UK.

Paola Andrea Sanchez

Paola Andrea Sanchez graduated from the Diplôme de Pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2012. She worked as a pastry chef in Colombia before going on to co-found Espacio Crudo, a design studio based in Bogotá.

Paola is art director at the company, where they create visual narratives around food and transform them into photographs.

Pía León

Pía León graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Peru in 2006 with a Diplôme de Cuisine. She went on to join Central Restaurante in Lima, which she now runs with husband Virgilio Martínez, along with her restaurant, Kjolle.

In 2023, Central was named Best Restaurant in the World by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. 

Jiachen Lu

Jiachen Lu graduated from the Diploma of Wine Gastronomy and Management with Internship Pathway in 2018,  and returned to Le Cordon Bleu London in 2019 to attend the Diplôme de Cuisine.

Now, Jiachen is Assistant Head Sommelier at Dinings SW1, and won both the Gosset Matchmakers and Copa Jerez UK competitions in 2023 with fellow alumna, Gail Li.

Shaheen Peerbhai

Shaheen Peerbhai graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Paris and London during 2012-2013, Shaheen now owns a pastry shop in London, Miel Bakery.

Shaheen has won four prestigious scholarships from The Culinary Trust, USA (2011, 2013) and The James Beard Foundation, USA (2011, 2015).

Read more of our fantastic alumni success stories or discover how you can join our culinary family with our professional cookery courses.