Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – Dr. Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America
(CIA), has been elected to the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant
Association. Dr. Ryan's election to the board follows on the heels of his
recent selection as one of the 50 most powerful people in the restaurant
industry.
"I am pleased to help the industry that has given such
support to the CIA and provided such great career opportunities to our
graduates—myself included," says Dr. Ryan. "I started
as a minimum wage dishwasher in my teenage years, and have been amazed at the
doors that the restaurant industry, a great education, and hard work have
opened for me since then. I look forward to this new role and the opportunity
to contribute even more to the advancement of the industry that has helped me
advance."
Dr. Ryan has served on the organization's Educational
Foundation Board of Trustees since 2011. That same year he accepted the
National Restaurant Association's , on behalf of the college. The CIA was
honored for its El Sueño initiative at the San
Antonio campus. El Sueño's two-pronged mission is to
provide a world-class culinary education to young Latinos to prepare them for
leadership positions in the industry, and to elevate the quality and exposure
of Latin cuisines to the American public.
"We are honored to have Dr. Ryan join the board of the
National Restaurant Association," said 2014 Board Chairman Ken Conrad. "We know
Tim is dedicated to the future of our industry. His creativity and
understanding of trends in foodservice, as well as his perspective as an
educator, will make him a tremendous asset to the National Restaurant Association
board as we address 21st century challenges."
In January, Dr. Ryan was named to the Nation's Restaurant News Power List, recognizing 50 people leading
and shaping the food world. Dr. Ryan was honored in the category of "The
Connectors: People who are bringing together ideas, talent, and funding in the
restaurant industry."
Dr. Ryan is a 1977 graduate of The Culinary Institute of
America. His unique background includes being a Certified Master Chef, Culinary
Olympics champion, and having an Ivy League degree. He earned his doctorate in
education from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ryan has been with the CIA
since 1982, when he was recruited to serve on the faculty and develop and run
the college's ground-breaking American Bounty Restaurant. He became the CIA's
fifth president in 2001.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image
Dr. Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of
America. (Photo credit: the CIA)
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.
# # #