San Antonio, TX – Cariño Cortez, project manager for La Familia Cortez Restaurants in San Antonio, delivered the
commencement address at the San Antonio campus of The
Culinary Institute of America on December 20.
A 2009 CIA graduate, Chef Cortez is a member of the third
generation in the family business that began when her grandfather opened Mi Tierra Café y Panadería more
than 75 years ago. It now includes four restaurants in the Market Square area.
The latest is Viva Villa Taquería, which opened in
2015 to rave reviews.
Cortez has been a member of the San Antonio Leadership
Organization of Professionals and the San
Antonio Express-News community advisory board. She was named Top Chef of
the Month by SA Monthly magazine.
The CIA San Antonio offers associate degrees in both culinary arts and baking
& pastry arts. Graduates can then transfer to the college’s New York
campus to complete bachelor’s degrees in Food Business Management, Culinary
Science, or Applied Food Studies.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
CIA alumna Cariño Cortez, project
manager for La Familia Cortez Restaurants in San
Antonio, addresses culinary arts graduates at the Texas campus of The Culinary
Institute of America on December 20, 2017. (Photo
credit: Darren Abate/CIA)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
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 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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