ARAMARK recently expanded its partnership with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world's premier culinary college, to increase its culinary talent through the CIA's prestigious ProChef Certification program. 40 chefs from ARAMARK Higher Education will complete the program, which began in 2008 with ARAMARK's Sports & Entertainment business.
The ProChef Certification is a comprehensive professional development and culinary skills verification program which measures core culinary, managerial and financial acumen, including a chef's skill in taste, proper cooking methods, authenticity, plating, use of all ingredients, hygiene and disposal of food waste.
ARAMARK worked closely with the CIA to develop a customized, hands-on course that reflects the real-world environment where executive chefs work on a daily basis, as well as the large-scale, diverse and innovative menus they often prepare.
"ARAMARK's partnership with the CIA is part of an ongoing commitment to provide our culinary leaders with the training and tools needed to excel in their careers, and deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients and customers," said Chris Hackem, President, ARAMARK Higher Education. "We are very proud of the chefs who worked extremely hard to achieve this certification and we look forward to them sharing their expertise and skills with their staff and peers."
The following ARAMARK Higher Education executive chefs, working in colleges, universities, conference centers and preparatory schools, recently received their ProChef Certification:
ProChef I: Certified Culinarians
Phillipe Audax: Thomas More College
Timothy Fox: Cate School
Myron Hudson: LaGrange College
John Lakatosh: Duquesne University
Nancy Mains: The Gunnery School
Joe Smith: Mercer University
Michael Snead: Georgetown University Hotel & Conference Center
ProChef II: Certified Chef de Cuisine
Mathew Babbage: New York University
Paul Baca: University of California-Irvine
Mark Benanchietti: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Joe Burdi: Loyola University of Chicago
Paul Calice: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Denis Callinan: The College of William & Mary
James Consentino: Johnson State College
Patrick Durgan: Portland State University
Ben Hernandez: Baylor University
Gil Junge: University of Minnesota
Bryan Kelly: University of Virginia
Keith Morrison: Southern Region District Executive Chef
Karl Wolak: Millikin University
"We at the CIA are proud to work with industry leader ARAMARK, to guide its culinary team through the ProChef Certification program," said Tama Murphy, Director of Continuing Education and coordinator of ProChef Certification at the CIA. "ProChef training reinforces the level of professional development and quest for excellence in the culinary arts that are a hallmark of the ARAMARK tradition."
In order to participate in ProChef Training, each chef had to be accepted into the program by an Application Review Committee. The four-day practical and written exam at the CIA's Hyde Park, NY, campus was the culmination of a 10-week program that required chefs to complete online course work and spend multiple hours in the kitchen practicing and advancing their skills. Each executive chef was paired with a CIA mentor who provided one-on-one guidance through the entire certification process. Before certification could occur, each candidate was evaluated by members of the CIA's award-winning faculty.
Twenty additional ARAMARK Higher Education chefs are expected to complete Pro Chef Certification later this year.


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UT student-run international buffet features Volunteer Week theme

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ARAMARK employee volunteers give facelift to Queens Community House.


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Student-run restaurant offers great learning opportunity, awesome meals.

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Best-selling health & lifestyle author Anne M. Fletcher is speaking at campuses nationwide.

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We're committed to protecting and improving the environment by weaving an essential Green Thread through every aspect of our business.
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