CIA Alumni Breaking the Mold
For eight decades, Culinary Institute of America graduates have been shaping the future of food, hospitality, and dining culture in dynamic and far-reaching ways. They’ve won countless awards and garnered recognition across the globe for their culinary creations, innovation, and leadership. They are the original celebrity chefs who played important roles in integrating food into pop culture. They’ve led research and innovation at national and international food companies and restaurant groups, and they’ve championed change in our food system. No matter where in the world they are, CIA alumni are truly transforming the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
CIA Alumni Spotlights
Meet notable CIA alumni, who enjoy lifetime membership in the CIA alumni network, an exclusive club of 55,000+ graduates.
Global Icon
Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij ’13, chef/owner of POTONG in Bangkok, was named the World’s Best Female Chef in 2025, earning global recognition for her innovative Thai-Chinese cuisine and becoming the first Asian chef to receive the honor.
Empire Builders
Mario Carbone ’00 and Rich Torrisi ’00, managing partners at Major Food Group, have been rapidly expanding their culinary empire, launching new concepts like Carbone Riviera in Las Vegas and leading the restaurant program for a planned $8 billion casino complex in New York.
Storyteller
Kwame Onwuachi ’13—the James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author—dominated headlines in 2025, earning a spot on the TIME100 list of the most influential people and seeing Tatiana named the best restaurant in New York City byThe New York Times. Read more.
Wine and Beverage Director
Amy Racine ’10, beverage director and partner at JF Restaurants, continues to earn national recognition in 2025 for leading innovative, chef-driven beverage programs across the group’s growing portfolio.
Social Changemaker
Brandon Chrostowski ’06, founder of the EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, won a 2025 James Beard Impact Award for his pioneering work providing culinary training, housing, and re-entry support to people returning from incarceration.
School Food Innovators
Dan Giusti ’04, former Noma head chef and founder of Brigaid, and Ann Cooper ’79, the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” founder of the Chef Ann Foundation, and 2025 CIA Leadership Award recipient, are both leading figures in the transformation of school food.
Cake Artist
Duff Goldman ’98, founder of Charm City Cakes and 2023 CIA Leadership Award recipient, remained a prominent Food Network figure in 2025, cohosting Kids Baking Championship and Holiday Baking Championship and helping to launch the spinoff Baking Championship: Next Gen. Read more.
Entrepreneur
Roy Choi ’98—chef, entrepreneur, and pioneer of the gourmet food-truck movement—released his cookbook, The Choi of Cooking, in 2025, drawing national attention for its bold, vegetable-forward approach. Read more.
Hospitality Leader
Adam Crocini ’00, a global hospitality leader and food and beverage innovator, is now managing director for the Americas at Soho House & Co, where he brings his extensive luxury-lifestyle and culinary-operations experience to one of the world’s most influential hospitality brands. Read more.
Trendsetter
Gregory Gourdet ’00, the James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and TV personality, expanded his influence in 2025 as the culinary director behind Printemps New York’s five new dining concepts, including the acclaimed Maison Passerelle.
Corporate Leader
Chad Schafer ’03, senior director of Culinary Innovation at McDonald’s, draws on his CIA training and corporate R&D experience in leading the development of new menu items and major culinary upgrades across the brand.
Performance Chef
Samantha Fencyk ’22, a performance chef for the New York City Football Club, plans and prepares nutrition‑focused meals that fuel players for peak performance and recovery.
CIA Alumni in the News
CIA alumni are always cooking up something interesting, and with a network of more than 55,000 strong, there’s never a shortage of highlights! Here are some recent examples of CIA alumni in the news.
