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Nine Alumni Also Honored by American Culinary Federation

Media Contact:

Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu

Hyde Park, NY – Twenty restaurants across the United States were recipients of 2014 Achievement of Excellence Awards from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) this summer. Three of them are on The Culinary Institute of America’s Hyde Park, NY campus: , , and . In addition, nine CIA graduates were honored at the organization’s awards event held during the ACF national conference in Kansas City, MO.

“Achievement of Excellence Awards are presented to foodservice establishments that go above and beyond to promote the culinary industry and provide customers with a rewarding experience,” said ACF President Thomas Macrina, a 1976 CIA alumnus. “The Culinary Institute of America’s commitment to providing hands-on learning opportunities for its students through these restaurants is noteworthy.”

All four restaurants on the New York campus have now received ACF Achievement of Excellence Awards. The was honored in 2004.

“All of the students, chefs, dining room instructors, and staff strive every day to simultaneously create an unparalleled educational experience and make world-class dining destinations,” said Waldy Malouf, the CIA’s senior director of food and beverage operations at the CIA. “The college’s restaurants are truly honored and proud to receive the Achievement of Excellence Award from the esteemed American Culinary Federation.”

Individual honorees for 2014 include , who received the Chef Professionalism Award; Scott Gilbert ’83, winner of the Chef Good Taste Award; Rick Moonen ’78, winner of the Celebrated Chef Award; and Gale O’Malley ’67, winner of the Joseph Amendola Award, named for a long-time CIA faculty member and administrator. Roger Kelly ’76 and Charles Carroll ’86 received ACF President’s Medallions; and Michael Rigberg ’74, Paul Santaularia ’85, and Jeffrey Mitchell ’93 were named fellows of the ACF’s honor society, the American Academy of Chefs.

“To be recognized by receiving this award is the pinnacle of my culinary career,” Chef Garbin said.

“It is a tribute to my career roots that began with graduating from the CIA and learning from everyone there who shared the passion for this industry.”

Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image

A student prepares for service in The Bocuse Restaurant at The Culinary Institute of America. The Bocuse is one of three restaurants on the college's Hyde Park, NY campus to receive an Achievement of Excellence Award from the American Culinary Federation in 2014. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, applied food studies, and culinary science, as well as certificate programs in culinary arts, and wine and beverage studies. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world cuisines & cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a network of 46,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The CIA also offers courses for professionals and enthusiasts, as well as consulting services in support of innovation for the foodservice and hospitality industry. The college has campuses in Hyde Park, NY; St. Helena, CA; San Antonio, TX; and Singapore.

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