Naphaporn “Lek” Bodiratnangkura, CEO of Nai Lert Group, Alain Ducasse, Founder of École Ducasse, and Elise Masurel, Managing Director of École Ducasse have been joined by 130 VIP guests to inaugurate École Ducasse Nai Lert Bangkok Studio, the first school in Thailand of world-class culinary and pastry arts training reference.
On 14th June the guests were welcomed at the school, which is located in picturesque Nai Lert Park in the centre of the Thai capital, and gathered first in the 1,400 sqm purposed-built building across three floors to discover the school’s five kitchens and workshops, the chocolate and ice-cream lab, chef’s table, wine cellar, and event room.
École Ducasse Nai Lert Bangkok Studio then presented an exceptionally curated menu by a team of École Ducasse’s esteemed trained chefs including Luc Debove, Director and Executive Pastry Chef at École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie located in Yssingeaux, France, Julian Mercier, Executive Chef at École Ducasse Paris Campus, alongside the in-house chefs Antonio Cortes, Executive Culinary Chef, and Olivier Robin, Executive Pastry Chef.
The venue, which opened last December, combines a training centre for enthusiasts and professionals alike, an exclusive event space, as well as a café open to the general public.
Macarons Madness, a dedicated course to unlock the secret of perfecting macarons through traditional French techniques is already a highlight of the short classes offered, while parents can learn to cook Four Hands with their child or get a full lesson on Brunch at the weekend. For a greater immersion highly practical full-time ten-week courses on culinary arts are dedicated to learn the essentials of French savoir-faire and Alain Ducasse philosophy in the trendy Bangkok culinary scene.
Naphaporn “Lek” Bodiratnangkura commented: “It ultimately comes down to having a shared vision on transmitting knowledge across cultures and through generations. Nai Lert Group has a vision to create a sustainable and holistic community in Thailand. And Alain Ducasse with École Ducasse is an eminent ambassador of this vision promoting culinary excellence, sustainability, and innovation in the food sector.”
Alain Ducasse said: “Passion for transmission, openness and curiosity is what makes the beauty of this exclusive partnership. I am delighted to extend our vision to Thailand, one of the most vibrant culinary scenes and gastronomic culture.”
Elise Masurel added: “École Ducasse Nai Lert Bangkok Studio shares culinary and pastry arts know-how offering practical and academic courses that jointly celebrate the heritage of French and Thai cuisine, while echoing trends in contemporary gastronomy and the philosophy of Alain Ducasse. There is something for everyone at every level.”
In other developments in the Sommet Education group, two Les Roches postgraduate courses have been included in Forbes’ published list of the best business school programs in Spain.
The Executive Master’s in International Hotel Management, recognised within the category of executive programs, prepares future professionals to actively participate in the teams that lead important hotel projects, through a deep immersion in the industry. Students are trained in the latest trends in management and administration, acquiring the necessary skills most demanded by the hospitality and tourism industry worldwide.
And within the MBA category, the MBA in International Hotel Management is aimed at professionals who already work in the hotel industry and who seek to acquire a strategic vision and high-level leadership skills to prosper in executive positions. Students are immersed in the industry and learn how to solve present challenges, through hospitality management theory and practice, eventually specialising in revenue and performance management or hospitality entrepreneurship and business development.
Forbes’ selection has been made by a committee of international experts, who have analysed, in over 80 business schools, criteria related to access and accessibility, price, educational offer and quality of teaching, research and innovation, job projection, level of internationalisation and recognitions. Les Roches is the only school in this ranking specifically oriented towards luxury hospitality and tourism.
CEO Carlos Díez de la Lastra said that “the institution is proud to share a ranking with other internationally prestigious universities. For Les Roches, this recognition demonstrates how demanded and necessary focused specialisation is in an industry that does not stop advancing and innovating”.
