CIA’s Baking & Pastry Faculty Has Four New Master Bakers
Hyde Park, NY – Four faculty members at The Culinary
Institute of America recently passed a two-day exam to earn the designation
of Certified Master Baker (CMB). The respected credential is the highest that
can be achieved through the Retail Bakers of America trade association.
The CMB designation is a sign that baking and pastry
professionals have reached the pinnacle of their profession. The new CMBs are all
lecturing instructors in the School of Baking and Pastry at the CIA’s New York campus: Didier Berlioz, Kristin Egan, Bill McCarrick, and Genevieve Meli.
“Members of our faculty continuously seek to elevate their skill level and become masters of their craft,” says Thomas Vaccaro ’85. “These four chefs have now reached the gold standard of baking
and pastry skills and—to the benefit of our students—they will bring those
skills to their teaching.”
The test covered many categories of baked goods, including
several kinds of breads and Danish, cake baking and decorating, as well as an “open”
category allowing the chefs to show off their skills and creativity. There were
also two surprise items they had to make: sunflower seed bread and an
individual pastry. The chefs were judged on both the quality of the items they
made and on their ability to produce consistent results in large quantities.
The certification test was held on the CIA campus and many
students stopped by to watch their teachers and cheer them on. “The students
gave us all incredible energy by their support during the exam—clearly a change
of roles,” Chef McCarrick says.
“The reason behind our commitment is our students,” adds
Chef Berlioz. “We preach about the power of knowledge and so it is important
for us to continue learning too.”
The college’s three U.S. campuses now boast a total of 18
CMBs.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
The four new Certified Master Bakers (CMBs) on the faculty
of The Culinary Institute of America (from left): Didier Berlioz, Kristin Egan,
Bill McCarrick, and Genevieve Meli.
Students at the CIA can now learn from 18 CMBs. (Photo credit: CIA)
View hi-res image >
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writer
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America:
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degrees in management, culinary arts, culinary science, and applied food studies, and associate degrees in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. The college also offers executive education through its Food Business School along with certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of nearly 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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