Ceradini Jr. Has Been Chairman Emeriti of CIA Since 2001
May 20, 2024, New York City – Praised as the “chairman of all chairmen” by longstanding CIA President Tim Ryan, who will be moving into the role of chancellor, August J. Ceradini Jr., was also Dr. Ryan’s first chairman and led the committee who found and appointed him as president in 2001.
The Culinary Institute of America created the Leadership Awards to honor the industry’s best and brightest with the prestigious Augie™ award. Named after Auguste Escoffier, the French chef who introduced discipline to the restaurant kitchen and elevated the professional status of chefs, the award reflects his spirit, integrity, and professionalism, along with CIA’s core values: excellence, leadership, professionalism, ethics, and respect for diversity. The Leadership Awards is CIA’s largest annual fundraising event in support of student scholarships and the Augie is the most important and valued award to receive. Past notable recipients include Thomas Keller, Ferran Adria, Paul Bocuse, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jacques Pepin, and Martha Stewart.
Dr. Ryan was thrilled to present the Augie™ to Ceradini, whom he calls, “a very close friend, who has been with me for all these years, through thick and thin…travelling the world together for different CIA missions and lending his undying support.” Among their countless accomplishments and adventures together, including traveling to Japan to learn about Sake which ultimately resulted in the opening of the Dassai Sake Academy and the brewery across the street from CIA’s Hyde Park, NY campus. Dr. Ryan lauded Ceradini for his dedication to the institute and its students as well as his leadership, “August’s success and significant accomplishments these many years has always been about the students and putting them first!”
Ceradini is credited with launching the school’s bachelor’s degree program; graduated over 20,000 students worldwide; fund raised over 200 million dollars; led the search for the new president of CIA; launched numerous campuses including California, Texas, and Singapore, and the Colavita Center for Italian Food and Wine, the first of its kind in the world, educating over 20,000 CIA students and spreading Italian culture globally. “It has been my honor to be part of CIA since I joined the board in 1986, and (I’m) looking forward to many more years ahead,” says Ceradini, who continues his role as Chairman Emeritus, a life appointment, to this day.
Additionally, Ceradini actively served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the James Beard Foundation among other recognitions which include being named Man of the Year by the Food and Beverage Association of America; earning the French Government Medal for Culinary Excellence; and being knighted by Pope John Paul II to the Order of St. Gregory as Knights Commander in 1996 for his lifelong work, raising millions of dollars for numerous charities and causes.
His illustrious career began at New York’s Pratt Institute where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Food Science Management and Nutrition. Upon graduation, he managed F&B operations for marquis New York hotels including the New York Hilton & Towers and the St. Regis Hotel where he directed a $300M refurbishment project—the largest in the hotel’s history—elevating its status to a four-star/four-diamond rating.
As president of New York Cruise Lines, Inc., which owns World Yacht; Circle Line; Seaport Liberty Cruises; Seastreak Ferries; and Hudson River Dayliner, Ceradini created one of the biggest hospitality success stories in New York City: World Yacht Cruises, bringing elegant and luxuriously appointed yachts that were the first to combine white table-cloth dining offering celebrity chef inspired menus with the breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, expanding the company to a multi-million dollar status.
In addition, Ceradini chairs a Vistage group, advises hedge funds and private equity funds as well as aquaculture farms, and he is currently the proprietor and operator of the swanky New York City restaurant Cucina 8 1/2 in the Solow building, serving and entertaining New York’s elite, “foodies” and celebrities alike.
Photo Caption:
August J. Ceradini Jr., Chairman Emeriti of CIA since 2001, receives Augie award from President Tim Ryan at the 17th annual CIA Leadership Awards held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. (Photo credit: CIA)
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Amanda Secor
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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 master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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