The syndicate was the brainchild of José ­Cuervo (1869-1921), who gave his name to what is today the world’s best-selling brand of the drink, with a lock on as much as a third of the market.

Founded in Paris in 1895, Le Cordon Bleu is considered today the largest network of culinary and hospitality schools in the world with more than 35 institutes in 20 countries and 20,000 students of ...