Culinary students share a smile before their graduation from the Academy of Culinary Arts, Thursday, Dec. 18.
The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College awarded culinary medals and certificates to 52 new chefs and baking and pastry professionals prepared with the latest culinary knowledge on Thursday, Dec.18.
Twenty-seven graduates honed their skills in the Academy’s Culinary Arts program, and 26 completed the Baking and Pastry program. Two short-term specialization certificates in Baking and Pastry were awarded.
The awards ceremony was held in the college’s Walter Edge Theater on the Mays Landing Campus, and honored the graduates with gold, silver or bronze medals or certificates based on their grade point averages and criteria established by the American Culinary Federation. Specialization graduates received certificates of completion. A reception at Careme’s, the on-campus, student-run gourmet restaurant, followed the ceremony.
Valedictorian Blaise Colamarino, of Sewell, addresses the graduates and audience during the awards ceremony, Thursday, Dec. 18.
Blaise Colamarino of Sewell was named valedictorian and winner of the Nathan Schwartz Award, which is presented to the top student of each graduating class.
Keynote speaker Robert Schoell, executive chef for Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, encourages the students to never give up on their goals.
The keynote speaker was Robert Schoell, executive chef for Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.
Schoell advised graduates, “Be brave, work hard, and allow yourself no excuses. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. I would not be where I am now without having made mistakes.”
Helena Borro, vice president of the Culinary Student Association, and Briana Husak, president, presented Culinary Student Association awards to Alice Drummond, Philip Faunce and Bruce Tice, for their dedication to the student club.
A special honor was given to Suzanne Feye, of Linwood, who is retiring from the Academy of Culinary Arts after 28 years of dedication, teaching and service.
Atlantic Cape faculty member Suzanne Feye, of Linwood, is honored for her 28 years of service to the Academy, as she is retiring this year.
Honorees, their hometowns (by county) and their awards are:
ATLANTIC
Joshua Benton, Hammonton — Silver, Culinary Arts
Rebecca Desmond, Leeds Point — Gold, Culinary Arts
Alice Drummond, Egg Harbor — Silver, Culinary Arts
Kevin Edmondson, Hammonton — Certificate, Culinary Arts
Sarah Hopman, Atlantic City — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Clair Long, Atlantic City — Certificate, Baking & Pastry Specialization
Jaymee Martin, Galloway — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Ariadna Ramirez, Egg Harbor Township — Certificate, Baking & Pastry
Jessica Scannapieco, Egg Harbor Township — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Ashley Squicciarini, Mays Landing — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Michael Tarquinio, Buena — Silver, Culinary Arts
Emma Wuillermin, Hammonton — Certificate, Baking & Pastry
BURLINGTON
Kyle O’Brien, Medford Lakes — Bronze, Culinary Arts
Akeema Telemaque, Willingboro — Gold, Baking & Pastryx
Jocelyn Tirado, Cinnaminson — Silver, Culinary Arts
CAMDEN
Samantha Cole, Sicklerville — Gold, Baking & Pastry
Rachel Corcoran, Pine Hill — Gold, Culinary Arts
Ashley DeMarco, Clementon — Silver, Culinary Arts
Jaime Eberhardt, Stratford — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Amanda Germano, Atco — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Christopher Gora, Sicklerville — Silver, Culinary Arts; Silver, Baking & Pastry
Kelly Matchett, Cherry Hill — Certificate, Baking & Pastry
Alexis Pelaschier, Sicklerville — Silver, Culinary Arts; Silver, Baking & Pastry
Alison Sayles, Somerdale — Gold, Baking & Pastry
Chelsi Turner, Sicklerville — Bronze, Baking & Pastry
CAPE MAY
Philip Faunce, Ocean City — Bronze, Culinary Arts
David Lawson, Cape May — Bronze, Culinary Arts
Tyler-Marie Reiss, Cape May Court House — Bronze, Culinary Arts
Katherine Trivelis, Wildwood Crest — Gold, Culinary Arts
CUMBERLAND
Kaitlin Davis, Millville — Gold, Baking & Pastry
Jodi Fitting, Vineland — Silver, Culinary Arts
Robert Ingraham, Vineland — Bronze, Culinary Arts
Katherine Lawrence, Bridgeton — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Alysha Morey, Port Norris — Bronze, Culinary Arts
Evan Sluka, Millville — Certificate, Baking & Pastry
GLOUCESTER
Megan Agren, West Deptford — Bronze, Baking & Pastry
Steven Calhoun, Turnersville — Gold, Culinary Arts
Blaise Colamarino, Sewell — Gold, Culinary Arts
Nicholas Cotellese, Mullica Hill — Bronze, Baking & Pastry
Shannon Kemmerer, Williamstown — Bronze, Baking & Pastry
Emily Klein, Pitman — Silver, Culinary Arts; Silver, Baking & Pastry
Katie Kronberger, Franklinville — Gold, Culinary Arts
Kelsey Radio, Franklinville — Silver, Baking & Pastry
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ACA Awards/Add Three
Victoria Romaine, Williamstown — Bronze, Culinary Arts
Bruce Tice, Newfield — Silver, Culinary Arts
MIDDLESEX
Lesley DeGuzman, Edison — Silver, Baking & Pastry
OCEAN
Michael Greene, Manahawkin —Bronze, Culinary Arts
Madelyn Kuti, Beach Haven Crest — Silver, Culinary Arts
Jennifer Vacca, Brick — Gold, Baking & Pastry
SALEM
Alyssa Deininger, Monroeville — Silver, Baking & Pastry
Andrew Johnson, Pittsgrove — Gold, Culinary Arts
WARREN
Samantha McCarthy, Stewartsville — Certificate, Baking & Pastry Specialization
The ACA has been training future chefs for more than 30 years. Academy graduates can be found in kitchens around the world in major hotel and restaurant chains, while others have gone on to open their own restaurants and catering businesses. For more information about the Academy of Culinary Arts, call 1-800-645‑CHEF, email accadmit@atlantic.edu, or visit the ACA online at www.atlantic.edu/aca.
Spring classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 20. Seats and scholarships are available. To register, call Valerie Weller at (609) 343-4944.
