Pioneer of molecular gastronomy at Sunway Le Cordon Bleu

Sunway Le Cordon Bleu welcomed Professor Hervé This, world-renowned physical chemist and co-creator of molecular gastronomy, as the distinguished speaker for the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Speaker Series in November 2025. Themed “Molecular and Physical Gastronomy: Key to Culinary Innovation,” this session celebrated the intersection of science and culinary art, marking a momentous occasion as Le Cordon Bleu commemorates its 130th anniversary. 

To mark this historic celebration, Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee, Charles Cointreau and Prof Hervé commemorated the occasion in a special 130th Anniversary cake-cutting ceremony, honouring Le Cordon Bleu’s legacy of global culinary excellence spanning over a century. 

A pioneer in the field of molecular gastronomy, Prof Hervé has dedicated his career to exploring the scientific principles behind cooking, taste, and texture — inspiring chefs and researchers worldwide to innovate through knowledge. His insights continue to shape the evolution of modern cuisine, merging scientific curiosity with gastronomic creativity. 

The event at Sunway University was the culmination of a remarkable series of engagements conducted in collaboration with Sunway Le Cordon Bleu and its partners.

A public session was held on “Learning Through Taste: The Science Behind Tomorrow’s Food” at Petrosains, featuring an engaging exploration of how sensory science influences the future of food. Attendees included students of Lycée Français de Kuala Lumpur (French School of KL), encouraging young minds to connect science with culinary innovation. 

There was also a demonstration on “Creating Tomorrow’s Cuisine: New Trends and Transformations in Culinary Art” at Sunway Le Cordon Bleu, and “The Science Behind Taste: Innovations in Culinary Art”, hosted in collaboration with Alliance Française Kuala Lumpur. Children also had a chance to participate in “Flavour Experimental Workshop for Kids”, an interactive learning experience. 

These series of programmes reflect the shared vision of Sunway Le Cordon Bleu and Le Cordon Bleu International to foster innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and academic excellence within the global culinary landscape. The Sir Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Speaker Series continues to bring world-class thought leaders and innovators to Sunway University, reinforcing its commitment to inspiring learning that bridges science, creativity, and sustainable development. 

As Le Cordon Bleu celebrates 130 years of culinary excellence, this milestone event underscores the institution’s dedication to advancing the future of gastronomy.