cordon bleu
1
8.8
- noun
- /ˌkɔrdən ˈbləː/
:
cordon bleu
- The cordon bleu chef prepared a stunning meal for the gala, showcasing his exceptional culinary skills.
Examples
-
I can make a cordon bleu.
-
Chicken cordon bleu was the plan, but the plan seems to be changing.
-
You were going to make a cordon bleu with chicken thighs?
-
Sometimes people like to serve chicken cordon bleu with a little marinara for dipping.
Blog text (4) -
When I came to France, I had dreams of bouillabaisse, crêpe Suzette, chicken cordon bleu...
-
The former concert harpist and Cordon Bleu-trained chef uses the freshest ingredients and turns out artful plate presentations.
-
I studied at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, where I learned the art of French cuisine.
Synonyms
559
2.3
A professional cook who leads a restaurant or hotel kitchen
How Skilled
Surface Forms
Morphology
cordon + bleu
The constituents 'cordon' (a ribbon) and 'bleu' (blue) transparently suggest a 'blue ribbon'—a visible sign of honor or distinction—so a learner who knows both words can plausibly infer an award/mark of excellence. However, 'cordon bleu' is a French loan with culturally specific and specialized uses (including culinary senses and historical knighthood), so the exact connotations are not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Cordon bleu comes from a literal 'blue ribbon' worn long ago by top French knights, and cordon means 'ribbon' while bleu means 'blue'. So the image of that special blue ribbon came to mean someone of great skill, which is why 'cordon bleu' now means 'a top chef'.