André J. Cointreau

Who is André J. Cointreau?

André J. Cointreau is the president and CEO of l’Ecole de Cuisine et de Pâtisserie Le Cordon Bleu, better known as Le Cordon Bleu. During his tenure, he has shifted the Le Cordon Bleu business from one school in Paris to a multinational concern with nearly 30 schools in 15 countries.

Cointreau is a direct descendant of the founding family of the Cointreau liqueur and Rémy Martin Cognac. He holds degrees from the Hautes Etudes Commerciales and Sciences Po, Paris. Cointreau began his career with Unilever and later The American Express Banking Corporation before he joined the family business as a commercial director in the 1970s amid battles for control of the liquer magnate by the controlling families. Cointreau struck on his own in 1984, buying Le Cordon Bleu from Madame Elisabeth Brassart, an old family friend.

Among other activities within the food and wine world, Cointreau helped to create the Science and Food Culture Foundation within the Académie des Sciences, and the Institute des Hautes Etudes du Goût in conjunction with Reims University. In 2005, he received the Hall of Fame award for his contribution to the International Food & Beverage Forum. In 2008, Cointreau was awarded the Légion d’Honneur from the Foundation Alliance francaise for his contributions and accomplishments as head of Le Cordon Bleu and "for his unique educational concept."