Acclaimed French culinary school Le Cordon Bleu is to get a taste of Thailand, through a joint venture with Dusit Thani Plc, a director of the local hotel operator said yesterday.

Sinee Thienprasiddhi said Thailand is the 16th country to be included in the cooking school's network. Founded in Paris in 1895, the school welcomes more than 18,000 students every year.

The business expansion is to be made through a joint venture with Le Cordon Bleu Helvetia Sarl, operator of the French culinary arts school.

The French school is the parent company of Le Cordon Bleu International BV, owner of the trademark Le Cordon Bleu and operator of 26 schools in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

"The current trend for cooking schools is increasing and will serve as a good place for the company to develop its workforce, while also benefiting Dusit Thani by attracting customers from the region," Sinee said.

Bangkok is now a centre of stylish cooking schools, including those operated by Blue Elephant and the Oriental Hotel. Renowned chef McDang, who received a degree from the United States, is also opening a cooking school.

Dusit Thani also provides diplomas in cooking through its Dusit Thani College.

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Co Ltd will be jointly owned by Dusit and Le Cordon Bleu, but the Thai firm will have one more share than its French partner. The venture's registered capital will be Bt40 million and it will seek a Bt80-million loan to finance the school project.

The school, to be located on the first and second floor of the Dusit Thani Building on Silom Road, is expected to generate a 14-per-cent internal rate of return. Both investors expect to break even within four years.

"The objective of the joint venture is to operate an international culinary arts academy by delivering the curriculum of Le Cordon Bleu," Sinee said.

The school will provide short courses and continual courses in culinary arts.

Le Cordon Bleu will present graduates with certificates. The highest of these, Le Grande Diploma, will cost up to Bt1.5 million, according to its website,

Under the agreement, 15 per cent of the revenue will go to Le Cordon Bleu in royalty fees and 1 per cent as a trademark licence fee. Dusit Thani will lease space in its building to the joint venture.

Meanwhile, Dusit Thani struck another deal with the French cooking school to incorporate the courses of Le Cordon Bleu and Dusit Thani College into the BBA International programme.

Dusit Thani College is a subsidiary of Royal Princess Plc. Le Cordon Bleu will charge 8 per cent tuition revenue to deliver the services.

In a related development, Dusit Executive Development Centre announced a cooperation deal with the University of Hawaii at Manoa. It will jointly develop training programmes by renowned professors at the university and Dusit staff will have an opportunity to go to Hawaii for training.