Charlie Palmer Receives Honor as Son Earns CIA Degree
Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, hotelier, and entrepreneur Charlie Palmer鈥攁 1979 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America鈥攔eceived
an honorary doctorate from his alma mater while watching his son receive a
diploma from the same college on April 13.
In bestowing the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree, CIA President Tim Ryan cited both Palmer鈥檚 鈥渢alent as chef and founder of the award-winning Charlie Palmer Group, one of
the world鈥檚 most successful restaurant and hospitality companies鈥 and his
鈥渁stute business acumen supporting top restaurants and boutique hotels across
the country.鈥
Palmer鈥檚 culinary and hospitality empire consists of more than a dozen restaurants, including his flagship Michelin-starred New York City restaurant Aureole, along with the Hotel Healdsburg and Lime Stone home and lifestyle store in California.
After receiving the honorary doctorate, Palmer said, 鈥淭he
CIA was the genesis of where I came from, and I鈥檝e done pretty darn well, I
think鈥攚ay beyond my imagination of where I鈥檇 be and what I鈥檇 be.鈥 He then
advised the graduates, including Reed Palmer, 鈥淭his school has prepared you to
be the very best鈥ou can be the greatest thing that鈥檚 ever happened to food in
this country and this world. And, Reed, you still call me dad, not doctor.鈥
With an associate degree from the CIA in hand, Reed Palmer
will now be heading to Cornell University鈥檚 School of Hotel Administration to
continue his studies through a partnership program between the two colleges.
In addition to the honor for Chef Palmer, the commencement
was highlighted by a keynote address by CIA alumna Julia Collin Davison. Davison is executive
food editor for the book division of America鈥檚 Test Kitchen and is co-host of
the PBS television programs America鈥檚
Test Kitchen and Cook鈥檚 Country.
The entire CIA commencement ceremony, including the
doctorate presentation and Davison鈥檚 address to 82 recipients of associate
degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts, can be .
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Dr. Tim Ryan (left), president of The Culinary Institute of
America, presents an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to chef and
entrepreneur Charlie Palmer on April 13, 2018. Palmer, a 1979 CIA graduate,
received the honor on the same day his son earned his associate degree at the
college鈥檚 New York campus. (Photo credit:
CIA/Phil Mansfield)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America:
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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