 Over time, this expression was extended to refer to other distinctions of the highest class – for example, Cordon Bleu cooking and Blue Riband sporting events.It has been suggested that the term "Cordon Bleu" in cooking has derived from the splendour of feasts held by the knights and not simply from the term becoming synonymous with prestige; however, this is not confirmed.The badge of the Order is a gold Maltese cross with white borders, each of the eight points ending in a gold ball (points boutonnées) and with a gold fleur-de-lys between each adjacent pair of its arms.