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Statler Foundation Chair Addresses Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony

Hyde Park, NY – In a pair of commencement ceremonies at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of America, 163 new graduates launched their careers in the exciting food business. Philip Colicchio, whose consulting firm represents chefs and other culinary professionals, was keynote speaker at the associate degree graduation on July 27. The previous day, Robert Bennett, chairman of the Statler Foundation, addressed �����������ǰ�’s degree graduates.

An attorney, Mr. Colicchio co-founded Taylor Colicchio LLP to provide professional and legal advice to chefs around the world. He was a pioneer in representing the interests of chefs in the age of chefs-as-celebrities. Dozens of his clients—chefs, restaurateurs, authors, beverage and service professionals, and restaurant designers—have won James Beard Foundation Awards.

“You will succeed because you have the finest culinary education in the world under your belt and because you have chosen to serve,” Mr. Colicchio told 47 graduates receiving degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts.

Mr. Colicchio is the cousin of renowned chef and media personality Tom Colicchio. He often serves as a judge for the student “pitch-off” as part of a CIA’s �����������ǰ�’s degree concentration focused on business innovation, and advises students regarding their restaurant concept ideas. The winning concept from each pitch-off becomes an offering at the CIA’s student dining facility for a semester.

On July 26, some 116 graduates receiving diplomas in Food Business Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies heard from Mr. Bennett. The Statler Foundation, which he heads, has been a supporter of the CIA and its students since 1958.

A native of Western New York, Mr. Bennett is a former president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and chancellor emeritus of the New York State Board of Regents. He has been honored as Citizen of the Year by both The Buffalo News and the Food Bank of Western New York, just two of the many accolades and awards Mr. Bennett has received throughout his career.

The full and degree ceremonies are archived at LiveStream.com and can be viewed online. Due to its rolling enrollment schedule, the CIA’s New York campus holds 16 associate and three �����������ǰ�’s degree graduations each year.

Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images:

Photo 1: (top): Philip Colicchio addresses associate degree graduates at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of America on July 27, 2017. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)

Photo 2: Robert Bennett receives congratulations from CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan after delivering the keynote address at bachelor's degree commencement at The Culinary Institute of America on July 26, 2017. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)

Media Contact:

Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
jeff.levine@culinary.edu

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 �����������ǰ�’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.

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