Michel Roux, Sr., Speaks
to Graduates with Prot茅g茅s in Attendance
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Fifteen top chefs from the United
Kingdom were all at The Culinary Institute of America on November 7,
when their mentor Michel Roux, Sr. delivered the commencement address
at the college. Chef Roux is the owner of The Waterside Inn in Bray,
England, and
proprietor of La Maison 1888 in Da Nang, Vietnam. He and
his brother Albert are considered the godfathers of modern UK
restaurant cuisine.
To mark the occasion, 15 British chefs now working in England,
Scotland, Ireland, and Japan鈥攊ncluding six who hold stars in the Michelin Guide鈥攋oined Chef Roux at the CIA.
Fourteen are recipients of the Roux Scholarship, in which young chefs from the UK
and Australia earn experience in a Michelin three-star restaurant anywhere in the world. The other was Chef Roux鈥檚 son Alain,
who holds three-stars as the chef patron of The Waterside Inn. In fact, Michel Roux
estimates that half of the chefs in the UK who hold Michelin stars worked for him or his brother at some point.
鈥淭he legacy of which I鈥檓 most proud is here with me today. I鈥檓
bursting with pride,鈥 said Chef Roux. 鈥淚f I have inspired them, I have received
even greater inspiration in return.鈥
The French-born Roux then shared his advice for the day鈥檚 graduates.
鈥淵ou have received a fantastic education by now. As you
go forth to spread your wings, remember your time is limited, so do not waste a
second trying to be anyone else than yourself,鈥 Roux said. 鈥淏e in love with what
you do. Be passionate or do not bother.鈥
The full .
Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images
Photo 1 (top photo): Michel Roux, Sr. delivers the commencement address at The Culinary Institute of
America in Hyde Park, NY on November 7, 2014. (Photo credit: Al Nowak/CIA)
Photo 2: Michel
Roux, Sr. (center, with cordon and medallion) and 15 of his prot茅g茅s
joined CIA
deans and Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Sperling (far
left) for a tour of campus following commencement ceremonies at the
college on November 7, 2014. Chef Roux delivered the keynote address
to
graduates. (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, culinary science, and applied food studies, 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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