CIA Student Profiles

Students come to the CIA because food is their life and they want the best chance for success.

Kyle Felker ’14

Kyle Felker ’14

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Bay City, MI Biography: Coming Up Aces When Kyle Felker’s mentor talked, he listened. So when Chef Andy Bacigalupo of the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center in Michigan encouraged him to apply to the CIA, that’s just what he did. A visit to the college during the summer sealed the deal. “After talking to Chef Andy, I toured the … [Read more...]

Aaron Gonnelly ‘14

Aaron Gonnelly ‘14

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Fort Plain, NY Biography: How did you become interested in food? I was inspired by my grandfather Andrew F. Burke. I remember spending time with him in the kitchen when I was a child helping with family and holiday dinners. As a result, I decided to take a VoTech program in high school, where I learned all the basics, as well as learning … [Read more...]

Shannon Buckley ‘14

Shannon Buckley '14

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Grand Blanc, MI Biography: How did you become interested in food? I became interested in culinary arts while growing up cooking with my grandfather, who is a retired chef and CIA alumni. I always helped him at home in the kitchen. He referred to me as his little sous chef. Who most influenced you? My grandfather most influenced my … [Read more...]

John Carlo DeVera ‘16

John Carlo DeVera ‘16

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Baguio City, Philippines Biography: How did you become interested in food? I became interested in the culinary arts at a very young age. When my dad was still around he would always be the one cooking at home and I would always be around to help. When my dad passed away, the only thing that would make me happy at the time was to cook. … [Read more...]

Henderson Wong ‘13

Henderson Wong ‘13

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia Biography: How did you become interested in food? I found my interest in the culinary industry when I was in 11th grade. At that point in my school career, I had to decide what I wanted to do as a life-long career. Business was always the first career choice my parents encouraged me to pursue, however, I had this … [Read more...]

Charles Cruz ’14

Charles Cruz ’14

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Piscataway, NJ Inspired to Succeed Charles “Chuck” Cruz has always found inspiration in the people around him. His family cooking together at home planted the seeds for what was to become his career goal. And the many stories he heard from relatives about his grandfather playing basketball in the Philippines sparked a love for the … [Read more...]

Kenny Sugiarto ‘16

Kenny Sugiarto

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Bandung, Indonesia Biography: How did you become interested in food? My parents' own one of the largest culinary and baking ingredients supplier in Bandung, Indonesia. I grew up with the business and they always educated me on the ingredients that they were supplying to the various establishments. They taught me how to deal with … [Read more...]

Amanda Tunjian ‘14

Amanda Tunjian ‘14

Major: Baking & Pastry Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Yonkers, NY Biography: How did you become interested in food? I became interested because of the art aspect—the art of baking and creating things you normally wouldn't. Starting from scratch and making a masterpiece. I love to bake. It's my own art form. Who most influenced you? I would say probably my parents and … [Read more...]

Daniel Elliot ’13

Daniel Elliot ’13

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Ashburn, VA The Team Concept For Dan Elliot, being a part of a team is something he’s been doing most of his life. So his dual role as CIA student and captain of the college’s basketball team comes pretty naturally to him. Whether in the kitchen, in the classroom, or on the court, Dan has learned from the get-go that there really is … [Read more...]

Bo Na Yoo ‘14

Bo Na Yoo ‘14

Major: Culinary Arts Campus: Hyde Park, NY Hometown: Seoul, Korea Biography: How did you become interested in food? I don't think there was a clear-cut moment that I was lured into this industry. I always enjoyed food and the culture behind it. I loved the work that went into making food and the marvelous results it brought as well. My mom told me that I would always stick my nose up on the … [Read more...]