What do the pastry chef of Riverpark, a sous chef for Union Square Events, the HR director of Breads Bakery, a pastry cook for Jean-Georges, a sales associate at D’Artagnan and a cook for Gracie Mansion have in common? They are all 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ alumni and they were all welcomed back to 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ for our Annual Alumni Party.
Each spring, 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ throws open its doors to graduates from all four of our career programs – Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, Culinary Management and Hospitality Management – for a celebration of all the talented folks who make up our dynamic alumni network. Over beverages and hors d’oeuvres provided by chef-instructor, Sabrina Sexton (herself a Culinary Arts ’94 alum), this year’s 150 or so attendees caught up with staff, faculty, and fellow classmates, while mingling and connecting with graduates from across many years and all 4 programs. (91ÃÛÌÒß¹ has launched over 10,000 careers, so party attendees represent just a small sliver of our alumni population, which spans the globe!)
Among the night's highlights was a presentation by 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ President, Rick Smilow, of 91ÃÛÌÒ߹’s future new home at Brookfield Place (the redeveloped World Financial Center) and the chance to meet the newest member of 91ÃÛÌÒ߹’s extended family: the daughter of two 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ grads, Matthew Chin and Jonelle Thompson (Culinary '09 and '07).
We were also delighted to give away some of the many 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ alum-authored books to come out in the last year, including those by the recent James Beard and IACP Award winners, such as Edward Behr (Culinary, ’84), ";" Amy Thielen (Culinary ’00) ";" and Rick Mast (Management, ’06), "."
A great time was had by all, and we’re energized about the prospect of following everyone’s successes over the coming year. Read more about recent 91ÃÛÌÒß¹ alumni success here.
