Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
San Antonio, TX 鈥 Fritz Gitschner, one of 68 Certified
Master Chefs in the United States, delivered the commencement address at The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio on July 2. Gitschner runs
three Houston-area businesses: Trio catering, Culinary Blueprints consulting, and
Nelly鈥檚 Caramelized Pecans. He was chef/owner of one of Houston鈥檚 top new
restaurants last year, 60 Degrees MasterCrafted,
which closed earlier this year.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not going to get very far in life based on what you
already know. You鈥檙e going to advance in life by what you鈥檙e going to learn,鈥
Chef Gitschner told associate degree recipients in culinary arts. 鈥淭he question is not whether you can achieve your goals. The
question is, are you willing to give it your all?鈥
The native of Austria completed his culinary apprenticeship
in Vienna, then traveled the world, cooking in places
as varied as Saudi Arabia and Aruba. After immigrating to the U.S., he became
executive chef at the Houston Country Club in 1991, where he stayed for almost
two decades.
Chef Gitschner represented the
United States in the 2005 Bocuse d鈥橭r, finishing ninth
in the world at the renowned international competition. He is an inductee into
the American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of the American Culinary
Federation.
Photo Credit and Hi-Res Image:
Certified Master Chef Fritz Gitschner speaks to graduates of The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio on July
2, 2015. (Photo Credit: CIA)
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world鈥檚 premier
culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the
foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA
offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts;
bachelor鈥檚 degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food
studies; and executive education through its Food Business School. Its
conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the
food industry in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, world
cuisines & cultures, and professional excellence & innovation. The
college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and
enthusiasts. Its worldwide network of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every
area of foodservice and hospitality. The CIA has campuses in New York,
California, Texas, and Singapore.
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