Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain delivered the keynote address at commencement at his alma mater, The Culinary Institute of America,
on December 19. After giving advice to the college鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degree
candidates, Chef Bourdain received an honorary Doctor
of Humane Letters in Culinary Arts degree from CIA President Tim Ryan.
鈥淎nthony Bourdain is possibly the
most recognizable food personality on the planet,鈥 Dr. Ryan said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 an
accomplished chef, author, publisher, entrepreneur, and television host who
shares his commitment to excellence and passion for food with audiences around
the world. We are proud of his many achievements and pleased to present him
with an honorary doctoral degree from the college.鈥
鈥淭he CIA is an institution that I鈥檓 very grateful for having
attended,鈥 Bourdain told the 143 graduates and their
families. 鈥淚t was incredibly important to me. I had a good time here, and I鈥檓
grateful for all of the skills I learned and the experiences I had.鈥
After beginning his culinary career as a dishwasher on Cape
Cod during summers while attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, Bourdain enrolled at the CIA, graduating in 1978. During
more than two decades of cooking at top New York City restaurants, he began
writing. A magazine article in The New
Yorker led to the bestselling Kitchen
Confidential. Chef Bourdain went on to write
several novels, non-fiction books, and cookbooks before turning to television.
Both A Cook鈥檚 Tour and the
Emmy-winning Anthony Bourdain:
No Reservations featured episodes recorded at the CIA. He can now be seen
on Anthony Bourdain:
Parts Unknown on CNN, a show with five Emmy Awards for which he has also
served as executive producer.
鈥淲hat kind of a place do we want to work in? What kind of
leaders do we want to be?鈥 Bourdain challenged the
recipients of degrees in Food Business Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies. 鈥淧lease
go out there in this new world that is being created right in front of us right
now鈥nd change that world for the better.鈥
The CIA graduation ceremony, including Mr. Bourdain鈥檚 address and the bestowing of his honorary
doctorate, can be .
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
CIA President Tim Ryan presenting Anthony Bourdain with an honorary doctorate from The Culinary
Institute of America on December 19, 2017. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world鈥檚 premier
culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and
hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor鈥檚 degrees in
management, culinary arts, culinary science, and applied food studies, and
associate degrees in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. The
college also offers executive education through its Food Business School along
with certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its
conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA
the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of nearly 50,000
alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has
locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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