Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Liz Neumark, a food activist and the founder and CEO of
Great Performances, delivered the commencement address at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of
America on May 24. Ms. Neumark created Great
Performances as a waitress-staffing agency for women in the arts and turned it
into one of the country鈥檚 leading catering companies.
She is also the founder of The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit
organization that addresses children鈥檚 health issues, especially those relating
to food such as access to healthy food, anti-hunger and food rescue
initiatives, and supporting local agriculture. The New York City resident
created Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY to supply
fresh ingredients for Great Performances events. Her activism also includes
involvement with the Hudson Square Business Improvement District, Grow NYC, Women.NYC, The Fund for Public
Housing, West Side Campaign Against Hunger, and Food and Finance High School.
鈥淔ood is the gateway to activism. It鈥檚 another pillar of
social justice鈥攍ike education, healthcare, and housing,鈥 Ms. Neumark told recipients of associate degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts.
鈥淲hat is on our plate matters. Eating
mindfully matters. The environmental impact of our choices matters.
Knowing who profits and who loses when you buy food matters....Join this
universe with your eyes wide open.鈥
The author of the cookbook Sylvia鈥檚 Table, Ms. Neumark has earned
many honors during her career, including a Silver Spoon Award from Food Arts and New York Entrepreneur of
the Year from Ernst & Young. She has been named one of New York鈥檚 Most
Powerful Women by Crain鈥檚 New York and to the Top 500 People in Events by BizBash.
The entire CIA commencement ceremony, including Ms. Neumark鈥檚 address, can be .
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Food activist Liz Neumark speaking
to graduates of The Culinary Institute of America at the college鈥檚 New York
campus on May 24, 2019. (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 master鈥檚, bachelor鈥檚, 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.
# # #