What does “Être un cordon bleu” mean?

Être un cordon bleu, it means having exceptional culinary skills. In other words, it’s being a true chef capable of preparing delicious dishes worthy of the finest tables.
 

Example:

  • Ma grand-mère est un véritable cordon bleu, ses gratins sont exquis. (My grandmother is a true cordon bleu, her gratins are exquisite.)
     
  • Si tu veux impressionner quelqu’un, invite-le à dîner, surtout si tu es un cordon bleu ! (If you want to impress someone, invite them to dinner, especially if you’re a cordon bleu!)
     

This expression can also be used humorously to describe someone who, on the contrary, has no culinary talents. In this case, people often say: "Je ne suis pas un cordon bleu, mais je fais de mon mieux." (I’m not a cordon bleu, but I do my best.)

 

The historical origin of the expression

Like many French expressions, être un cordon bleu has rich and surprising historical roots. To understand its origin, we need to go back to the 16th century, during the reign of King Henri III.
 

A blue ribbon, a symbol of prestige

In 1578, Henri III, King of France, established the Order of the Holy Spirit, a distinction reserved for Catholic nobles. Knights of this order were decorated with a Maltese cross attached to a blue ribbon, hence the term cordon bleu. At the time, it was the highest honorary distinction, symbolizing merit and excellence.
 

Although the Order of the Holy Spirit was abolished during the French Revolution, the expression cordon bleu remained in the language to designate someone extraordinary in their field.
 

When the cordon bleu enters the kitchen

The connection between the cordon bleu and cooking appeared later. In 1895, Marthe Distel, a pioneer in gastronomy, published a culinary journal titled La Cuisinière Cordon Bleu. The magazine was so successful that she later founded a cooking school with the same name: Le Cordon Bleu. Today, this institute is a global reference for culinary arts and hospitality.
 

The idea was simple: to associate the excellence and prestige of the historical cordon bleu with the culinary arts. The cordon bleu then became a symbol of perfection in cooking.
 

 

And what about the cordon bleu escalope?

When we talk about cordon bleu, we also think of this dish: a breaded escalope, rolled and stuffed with ham and cheese. But be careful, this dish has no direct link with the expression.
 

Two theories explain its name:
 

  1. Some believe the name comes from the blue cords used by cooks to tie the slices of escalope before cooking them.
     
  2. Others think the name simply refers to the quality and refinement of the dish, worthy of the best chefs, the famous cordons bleus.
     

And surprise: this recipe might not be French, but Swiss! The first mention of this escalope appears in a Swiss cookbook in 1949, under the name "escalope à la viennoise" (Viennese escalope).
 

 

Being a cordon bleu today

Today, être un cordon bleu is still a very commonly used expression to praise someone for their culinary talents. It’s often heard during dinners with friends or family, or even in cooking shows.

The expression has also retained a symbolic dimension: it evokes excellence, creativity, and the joy of sharing a good meal. So, whether you’re a true chef or just trying not to burn your pasta, there’s always a cordon bleu within you!