Mario Carbone '00 Returns
to Alma Mater
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – Celebrated young New York City restaurateur Mario Carbone returned
to The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to deliver the keynote address
during commencement ceremonies at his alma mater on Friday, April 11. Carbone's epynomous restaurant in Greenwich Village is a
finalist for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant.
The 2000 alumnus told 91 new fellow CIA graduates that their
years of studying at the world's premier culinary college are just like a
tree's roots, creating the foundation that will grow into the successful careers
that everyone will see.
"Take this incredible education, plant it, and let it grow
roots," said Chef Carbone, owner and partner, with Rich Torrisi '00 and Jeff Zalaznick, of New York City's
five-restaurant Major Food Group. "It's not important what you become, but that
you do everything in your power to be great at whatever it is."
Carbone and one of the Major Food Group's other restaurants,
ZZ's Clam Bar, made the 2013 Zagat Survey list of the hottest tables of the year. Another of the group's concepts, Torrisi Italian Specialties, was New York magazine's #1 Italian Restaurant for 2011. Its other
restaurants are Parm and Parm Yankee Stadium, and two more are in the works.
Mario Carbone, 33, was a nominee for the Beard Award for
Best Chef in America in 2011. He and former CIA classmate Torrisi were, as a team, named among Food &
Wine magazine's Best New Chefs in 2012 and were twice semi-finalists for
the Beard Award for Best Chef: New York City. We'll find out if Carbone is the
Best New Restaurant in the United States on May 5, when this year's Beard Award
winners are announced.
Photo Caption & Hi-Res Image
Mario Carbone '00 speaks to graduates at The Culinary
Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on April 11, 2014. His restaurant,
Carbone, is a nominee for the 2014 James Beard Foundation Award for Best New
Restaurant in the United States. At age 33, he is managing partner of five
acclaimed New York City restaurants. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent,
not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees with majors in
culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and culinary science, as well as
certificate programs in culinary arts and wine and beverage studies. As the
world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the
areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world cuisines &
cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a network of 46,000
alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz,
Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The CIA also offers courses for professionals
and enthusiasts, as well as consulting services in support of innovation for
the foodservice and hospitality industry. The college has campuses in Hyde
Park, NY; St. Helena, CA; San Antonio, TX; and Singapore.
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