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Graduates Receive Advice from Wine Expert Karen MacNeil and Suk Singh of Bloomin’ Brands

St. Helena, CA – In ceremonies on April 11 and 12, students at the Greystone campus of The Culinary Institute of America graduated from the Wine & Beverage Graduate Certificate and Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate programs and the college’s associate degree programs in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts.

Wine authority Karen MacNeil spoke to the certificate program graduates on April 12, telling them, “The generation of wine and food professionals before you turned on the engine and started the car. But the car is now yours to drive—and drive fast.”

Ms. MacNeil has won every major wine award given in the English language, including the James Beard Foundation Award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year and the International Wine and Spirits Award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year. The chairman emerita of the CIA’s Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies, Ms. MacNeil is the author of the award-winning book The Wine Bible and host of Wine, Food, and Friends on PBS.

The following day, associate degree graduates heard from Suk Singh, executive vice president and global chief development, franchising, and international officer for Bloomin’ Brands. Bloomin’ Brands—parent company to Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse—is one of the world’s largest casual dining companies, and Mr. Singh is widely recognized as the preeminent development executive in the restaurant industry.

Mr. Singh’s daughter Priya was among the day’s graduates.

Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images:

Top Photo: Renowned wine authority Karen MacNeil speaks to graduates of The Culinary Institute of America’s certificate programs at the college’s Greystone campus in St. Helena, CA on April 11, 2019, as CIA Director of Education Jennifer Purcell looks on. (Photo credit: Victor M. Samuel/CIA)

Photo 2: Bloomin’ Brands executive Suk Singh presents the graduation cordon to his daughter Priya during commencement ceremonies at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA on April 12, 2019. Mr. Singh delivered the keynote address to associate degree recipients and Priya Singh was a member of the graduating class. (Photo credit: Victor M. Samuel/CIA)

Media Contact:

Anne Girvin
Assistant Director—Strategic Marketing, Branch Campuses
707-967-2322
Anne.Girvin@culinary.edu

About The Culinary Institute of America:

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 master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, 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 more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.

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