The Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America
If you love cooking shows and dream of being the next Guy Fieri or Rachael Ray, a CIA degree can help you realize that goal. Keep in mind that most well-known television personalities refined their skills and built their reputations as professional chefs for many years before getting the chance to work on camera. Television personalities need a strong on-air presence, flexibility, the ability to work well under pressure, and dynamic cooking and baking skills.
The confetti started to fly, people were cheering wildly, millions of viewers all over the world were on the edge of their seats. So what was going through the mind of Heather West, one of two finalists on the second season of FOX's hit reality show "Hell's Kitchen," as she stood behind a closed door waiting for the winner to be announced? "I thought I lost," says the former sous chef from Port … [Read more...]
Renowned in the culinary world and adored in his hometown of Cleveland, Michael is the chef and owner at the critically acclaimed Lola and Lolita restaurants in Cleveland. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Michael's pedigree includes being included as one of the Ten Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine (1998), a memorable performance as an Iron Chef contestant (2005), … [Read more...]
Sara Moulton, host of Sara's Weeknight Meals, began her culinary education at The Culinary Institute of America, graduating with highest honors in 1977. Over the following seven years, she expanded her skills in a variety of restaurant positions. In 1979, while she was the chef at Cybele's Restaurant in Boston, Chef Moulton met Julia Child and began working with her as the associate chef on the … [Read more...]
After winning Food Network's Top Chef, Hung Huynh was much in demand. in 2009, he became chef at Ajna Bar in New York City. He anticipates opening his own seafood restaurant Catch in fall 2011. Prior to sinning Top Chef, he was the executive sous chef at one of the most expensive restaurants in Las Vegas, Guy Savoy. Born in Vietnam and trained in classic French and Asian cuisine, he believes in … [Read more...]
Born to travel-hungry Scottish and Israeli parents of Eastern-European descent, chef/owner Ilan Hall was exposed to international food from an early age. At seventeen, Ilan went to Florence where he studied at the Lorenzo de Medici School’s Apicius program and cooked at the Al Lume di Candela restaurant. While studying at The Culinary Institute of America, he had an externship at Charlie … [Read more...]
Duff Goldman, renowned for his innovative creations at his Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, MD, is one of the most sought-after cake makers in the country. For the past ten seasons, he's also been bringing his unique style of baking to a national television audience as the host of the hit Food Network show, Ace of Cakes. Recently cancelled, Goldman is moving on to another show for the network called … [Read more...]
Chef DiSpirito opened his premier restaurant, Union Pacific, in 1997 in New York City to widespread critical acclaim. The New York Times gave the restaurant a three-star rating in 1998, saying, "Mr. DiSpirito seems to think about flavor in ways that ordinary people don't." In 2002, Union Pacific earned a second three-star review from the New York Observer. In addition to his position at Union … [Read more...]
Cat Cora is known around the world as the only female Iron Chef on Food Network's Iron Chef America. It was her culinary expertise and flair that enabled her to join the ranks of such Iron Chef luminaries as Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, and Masaharu Morimoto. As executive chef for Bon Appétit magazine, Cat brings that talent to bear every day. And these days she's also become known for her … [Read more...]
Michael Chiarello is the tastemaker behind NapaStyle, Chiarello Family Vineyards, and Consorzio Flavored Oils. He was chef/owner of the former Tra Vigne Restaurant, and is now the successful owner of the recently opened Bottega Restaurant in Yountville, CA. In addition, he is an Emmy-winning Food Network personality and cookbook author. Over his 20-year career, Michael has drawn on his Southern … [Read more...]
With her trademark spiky blond hair and pumped-up personality, Anne Burrell eliminates the intimidation of restaurant dishes and reveals concise, easy-to-master techniques for the at-home cook on her Food Network series, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef. Chef Burrell has also worked at some of the top restaurants in New York, studied the culinary landscape and traditions of Italy, and battled … [Read more...]
