New Beginnings, Openings, and Events
The Berkshire Edge announced the grand opening celebration of Tarah Warner’s ’09 Truffles by Tarah that took place on November 8.
The New York Times reported on Matthew Raiford’s ’06 invitation to Project Gather, a potluck designed to reduce loneliness, reintroducing Americans to eating together after the pandemic changed eating habits.
Crain’s New York Business reported on Andrew Carmellini’s ’91 new Osteria location in Hudson Yards, NY, which opened on November 15.
Profiles and Interviews
’s The Dish aired a segment on Alex Stupak ’00, who shared his experience creating The Otter, an elevated restaurant that customers view as the “neighborhood spot.”
San Antonio Report profiled Hailey Pruitt, Lauren Beckman, Shelby Mitchell, Catrina Torres, and Alexana Cabrera ’17 upon Diego Galicia’s ’10, Mixtli receiving a Michelin star. The article discussed how women in leadership, work culture, and Mixtli’s rotating menu create the warm and welcoming guest experience that earned the restaurant a special service award.
Westchester Journal News profiled Andy Ortega ’19 following his appearance on Hulu’s new show, Cookie, Cupcake, Cake judged by celebrity bakers Buddy Valastro and Samantha Seneviratne.
Awards and Accolades
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) announced Roy Choi ’98 as the inaugural speaker for the 2024–2025 season of UTRGV’s Distinguished Speaker Series. The event was held on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. CT at the UTRGV performing arts center in Edinberg.
Crain’s New York Business released a list of the top 40 under 40 young professionals energizing New York City. Among them are Seung Kyu Kim ’09, owner of Coqodaq, and Chris Lauber ’10.
The Robb Report released its second annual ranking of the restaurant industry’s 50 most influential people. Among them were:
#49 Daisy Ryan ’08
#37 Michael Mina ’89
#36 Michael Cimarusti ’91
#26 Michael Tusk ’89
#25 Kwame Onwuachi ’13
#20 Gregory Gourdet ’00
#17 Mario Carbone ’00 and Rich Torrisi ’01
#6 Grant Achatz ’94
The Robb Report named Aaron Bludorn ’06 and Sungchul Shim ’06 in a list of the “top 10 people shaping the fine dining restaurant industry.”
Wine Enthusiast praised Amy Racine ’10 for her work in uplifting winemakers who “break longstanding norms in race, gender, and orientation.” Racine claimed to gain inspiration from Touré Folkes, who founded Turning Tables NOLA, a nonprofit which offers hospitality and beverage education to people of color in New Orleans, and Victoria James, who cofounded Wine Empowered, a nonprofit that provides tuition-free wine classes to women and BIPOC in hospitality.
Food & Wine named Deuki Hong’s ’09 Koreaworld one of the top cookbooks of 2024.