Food Truck Trendsetter Roy Choi '98 Returns to His Alma Mater for Cooking Demonstration and Graduation Address
Photo credit: CIA/Keith Ferris
Roy Choi '98 speaks with students during his cooking demonstration at The Culinary Institute of America on August 19, 2010. During his visit, Chef Choi also delivered the commencement address to 71 associate degree graduates.
Hyde Park, NY, August 25, 2010 – Rising celebrity chef Roy Choi, a 1998 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), returned to his alma mater on August 19 and 20. Chef Choi is the founder of the Los Angeles-based Kogi Korean BBQ-To-Go food trucks. While at the college's Hyde Park campus, he held a cooking demonstration for students and delivered the commencement address to associate degree recipients.
With his menu of Korean tacos, Choi is widely credited as the man behind the growing food truck trend in America. He was honored as one of Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs of 2010. In July, The New York Times called Chef Choi "the pioneering force" behind the food truck phenomenon. He has also recently been featured in Time and Newsweek.
During his demonstration on August 19, he showed 150 CIA students how he makes Kogi Spicy Pork "al pastor" for the thousands of customers who follow his serving locations daily on Twitter. He also answered questions from future culinary leaders about how his path to success came through a mobile kitchen and by successfully melding Korean and Mexican cuisine. Earlier this year, he opened his first sit-down restaurant, Chego, in West Los Angeles.
On August 20, Choi spoke to graduates and helped present graduation cordons to the 71 recipients of associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts during commencement ceremonies at the college.
CIA President Honored as 2010 "Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America" Inductee
Dr. Tim Ryan Inducted During James Beard Award Gala; Eight Alumni Earn Awards
Hyde Park, NY, May 6, 2010– Dr. Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), is a new member of the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America. President Ryan was inducted during the Beard Foundation's annual awards gala in New York City on Monday, May 3.
"Inclusion in the 'Who's Who' is very special," Dr. Ryan said. "And I am honored to be able to represent the CIA within this distinguished group."
"Not only is Dr. Tim Ryan a wonderful role model for the literally thousands of students and chefs who have graduated from The Culinary Institute of America, but his distinguished career in the culinary world in America is legend," said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. "A testament to his role in shaping the future great chefs of America is the fact that many James Beard Award winners are CIA graduates."
In addition to Dr. Ryan's Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America induction, eight CIA graduates won 2010 James Beard Foundation cookbook, broadcast media, restaurant, and chef awards:
Grant Achatz '94, Outstanding Service Award at Alinea, Chicago, IL Koren Grieveson '96, Best Chef: Great Lakes at Avec, Chicago, IL Jeff Michaud '98, Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic at Osteria, Philadelphia, PA Ron '92 & Colleen '94 Suhanosky, Best Cookbook: Single Subject for Pasta Sfoglia Rick Moonen '78 (Host) & Heidi Hanson '91 (Producer), Best Television Show: On Location for Chefs A' Field: King of Alaska Todd English '82 (Host & Co-Producer), Best Television Special for Food Trip with Todd English
A record 26 graduates of The Culinary Institute of America were finalists for James Beard Foundation awards this year.
Emeril Kicks It Up a Notch at The Culinary Institute of America
Chef Lagasse Delivers Graduation Address and Holds Cooking Demo for Students
Hyde Park, NY, March 10, 2010 – More than 800 CIA students packed into the gymnasium in the Student Recreation Center at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) on Friday, March 5, for a cooking demonstration and question-and-answer session with celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author Emeril Lagasse.
During his first-ever visit to the CIA, Lagasse made Brazilian Fish Stew and talked with students about the common career path they have chosen. Freshman Nicolette Anctil came to see the chef she and her family used to watch on the Food Network. "Emeril was the first chef I got into," she said. "He's knowledgeable and entertaining, and he actually cares about what he cooks."
Earlier in the day, Lagasse challenged the newest CIA alumni when he delivered the commencement address for 67 associate degree recipients.
"I'm so honored to be standing here before such an esteemed group of talented young chefs," said the owner of 13 restaurants and host of the television programs The Emeril Lagasse Show, Emeril Green, Emeril Live!, and Essence of Emeril. "The true spirit of hospitality was in each of you long before your first lab or lecture at the CIA. [Now] you have the foundation of knowledge and the tools to lead our industry.
"Today, I challenge you to develop the first recipe for your first cookbook, to mentor future chefs, to cook for those who don't have access to a hot meal, to teach young people about healthy eating, and to imagine how good you want to be. Now step outside and make it happen!"
About The Culinary Institute of America Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as certificate programs, in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA has a network of more than 40,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Michael Chiarello, Cat Cora, Steve Ells, Todd English, Duff Goldman, Sara Moulton, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The college has campuses in New York (Hyde Park), California (The CIA at Greystone, St. Helena), and Texas (San Antonio). In addition to its degree programs, the CIA offers courses for professionals and food enthusiasts, as well as wine education.
For more information, and a complete listing of program offerings at each site, visit the CIA online at www.ciachef.edu.
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