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Alumni Spotlight: Zach Moquin ’16

Author Annie B. Milostan ’25 is a Baking and Pastry Arts major

Our most recent Pathways to Excellence alumni lecture series was led by Zach Moquin a Culinary Arts and Food Business Management major. While studying at CIA, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Student Judicial Board and Secretary of Student Government Association (SGA). He said the most challenging kitchen class he had was his baking class as well as restaurants. As for his academic classes, he says Wine Studies was the hardest mainly because of the memorization. He completed his internship (or “externship,” as we like to call it in this industry!) at Walt Disney World® in Florida. He had an amazing experience and said that they set him up for success—he’s extremely grateful for the opportunities he had there and gained afterwards.

After graduation he worked at Four Seasons, completing their Manager in Training (MIT) program. He then became the Restaurant Operations Manager at the Patina Restaurant Group, and finally Restaurant General Manager. Now, Zach is the Director of Villa Operations at the Scottsdale National Golf Club. He oversees two clubhouses, 45 holes, two retail shops, villas, and a spa and salon. One of the challenges he faces while working at a golf centered organization is convincing people it’s more than just a golf course; it’s also a hotel with a restaurant. He calls his work environment stress free whereas typically it hadn’t been in other places. It’s a smaller club and he tries to personally get to know all the club members. He is excited to announce that within the next year, he’s going to start up an externship program for both culinary and baking and pastry students, and eventually hospitality students as well.