Hyde Park, NY – After raising a record $1 million for student scholarships at
the 2016 Leadership Awards gala, The Culinary Institute
of America is setting its sights high for this year’s event. On Wednesday,
April 19, more than 600 foodservice and hospitality industry leaders, celebrity
chefs, CIA alumni, and other luminaries from business and
entertainment will come together at the American Museum of Natural History on
New York City’s Upper West Side to honor a “Trio of Titans.”
During the festivities, Dr.
Tim Ryan, president of the CIA, will present the Augie Award™ to
three individuals who, through their prolific life’s work, have
transformed and elevated the food and hospitality industry—helping it
garner
the respect it deserves. Created in tribute to famed French chef
Auguste Escoffier, the Augie Awards recognize the achievement of
visionaries, entrepreneurs, and chefs. This years’ honorees embody the
qualities of leadership,
strength, determination, and innovation:
- Shep Gordon: Talent manager for rock stars,
Hollywood agent, film producer, and New
York Times bestselling author, Shep Gordon is
also credited with creating the celebrity chef category. The subject of an
award-winning Mike Myers documentary film, Supermensch, he penned his own memoir, They
Call Me Supermensch, in 2016.
- Jacques Pépin: A former columnist for The New York Times, his articles have appeared in countless food
magazines. Chef Pépin’s awards include France’s
highest civilian honor, La Legion d’Honneur; 16 James Beard Foundation Awards, including
the Life-time Achievement Award; and an Emmy Award for his PBS series with
Julia Child.
- Martha Stewart: Emmy Award-winning television host, bestselling author, trusted lifestyle
expert, and respected business entrepreneur, Martha Stewart’s brand of
high-quality household and garden products are sold at major retailers
nationwide. Her latest television show pairs her with rap star, Snoop Dogg.
“Martha Stewart, Jacques Pepin, and Shep Gordon all have a commitment to excellence that mirrors the core values of the
CIA,” says Dr. Ryan. “They are all trailblazers, innovators, and provide
tremendous inspiration to our students and alumni alike. We are proud to honor
them.”
The evening will begin with a lavish menu of hors d’oeuvre
prepared by guest chefs, many of whom are CIA alumni, followed by a sit down
dinner. There will also be an online auction, to open for bidding two weeks
prior to the gala, to raise additional scholarship funds. More than two dozen
current CIA students—from the associate and bachelor’s
programs—will also be on hand to assist the event chefs and add their
personal thank-you’s to all in attendance.
A not-for-profit institution, the CIA is accredited by the
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the same organization that
accredits universities like Princeton and Columbia. More than 90 percent of the
CIA student body depends on some type of financial aid, and the Leadership
Awards is its largest annual fundraising program. The college relies on
alliances with the private and public sectors to achieve its goal of excellence
and to maintain its reputation as the world’s premier culinary college.
Information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities,
along with more details about the event are available .
Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images:
Photo 1: The 2017 Augie Awards recipients are, left to right, Shep Gordon, Jacques Pepin, and Martha Stewart. (Photo credit: CIA)
Photo 2: Students
express their thanks for the record-breaking contributions to the CIA
scholarship fund at last year’s Leadership Awards. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
Photo 3: A “Trio
of Titans” will be celebrated at the 2017 Leadership Awards, presented by The
Culinary Institute of America, on April 19. (Photo credit: CIA)
Media Contact:
Jan Smyth
Marketing Manager—Industry Leadership and Advancement
845-451-1457
j_smyth@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality,
the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree majors in
management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate degrees in
culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education through its
Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs and courses
for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting services have
made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of
49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA
has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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