USA | Twenty-one alumni have been awarded stars on the Culinary Institute of America's Alumni Walk of Fame, located at its campus in New York.
Michelin stars, television stars, and now stars on the Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) Alumni Walk of Fame. 21 distinguished alumni were inducted into the college's Alumni Hall of Fame, with a ceremony on its New York campus. The honorees are entrepreneurs, celebrity chefs, authors, and educators: Grant Achatz, Marcy Blum, Anthony Bourdain, Gary Danko, Marcel Desaulniers, Steve Ells, Dean Fearing, Susan Feniger, Larry Forgione, I. Pano Karatassos, Daniel Leader, John C. Metz Jr., Cameron Mitchell, Sarah Moulton, Bradley Ogden, Charlie Palmer, Dr. Tim Ryan, Michael Tusk, Jasper K. White, Roy Yamaguchi, and Sherry Yard. These alumni were selected for their lasting contributions to, and impact on, the industry. The Alumni Walk of Fame is located outside the Tim Ryan Student Commons.
"Last week was an incredible celebration of community, creativity, and commitment," said CIA President Michiel Bakker.
"The energy, enthusiasm, and generosity on campus were truly inspiring, a testament to the power of our shared mission to educate and empower the next generation of culinary, food, beverage, and hospitality leaders."
In addition to being inducted into the college's Alumni Hall of Fame, two alumni who have been steadfast supporters of the college had facilities dedicated in their honour. The Mitchell Gate, named for Cameron Mitchell '86, founder and CEO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, is the entrance to the Alumni Walk of Fame. Designed by artist Gordon Huether, who created three other artworks for the CIA, the gate creatively showcases the alumni's food-centric roots. It features 17 food asparagus stalks and is crowned with an artichoke.
Across campus, Palmer Plaza, named for Charlie Palmer, co-founder and CEO of the Charlie Palmer Collective, was dedicated in a separate ceremony on October 9. The plaza connects Roth Hall, the campus's main building, with its conference centre and Post Road Brew House restaurant. Chef Palmer's intention for the space is to have an outdoor gathering spot where faculty, staff, and students alike can find a bit of respite from their hectic days, enjoy the beauty of nature and get some fresh air.
The events were anchored by the college's Board of Trustees October gathering, its annual Run for Your Knives 5K Walk/Run, which, this year, raised more than USD 100,000 for CIA student scholarships, the 35th annual Chili Cook-off, organized by the CIA Alumni Council, and the college's first-ever Family Weekend, which brought more than 1,200 family and friends to campus.
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