Kamal Grant ’04 of Sublime Brands Delivers Commencement
Keynote
San Antonio, TX – Kamal Grant, a 2004 graduate of The Culinary Institute of
America’s New York campus and a U.S. Navy veteran, delivered
the commencement address at the San Antonio campus of his alma
mater on April 13.
Grant is the founder and creative director of Sublime
Brands. What began as a small doughnut shop near Georgia Tech in Atlanta in
2008 now includes two additional locations in the Atlanta area—including one
certified kosher—with two more on the way at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Chef Grant
also opened a Sublime Doughnuts in Bangkok, Thailand.
He is known for his artistic presentations and creative
flavor combinations such as Fresh Strawberry N Cream, Salted Caramel &
Reduced Balsamic Vinegar, and Chocolate Wild Berry Fritter. Grant’s creations
earned Best Doughnuts in America honors from both US News & World Report (2013) and Food & Wine (2012). Bake magazine named Sublime Doughnuts America’s Best Bakery in 2012.
“The world is big, but it is also small,” Chef Grant told 45
associate degree recipients. “By going out and immersing yourself in its many
different cultures and cuisines, you will find the tiny dots that connect us
all.”
Grant served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 to 2002, using his GI
Bill and Navy College Fund benefits to attend the CIA. It was as a Navy
baker that he realized how much his shipmates loved doughnuts. Traveling the
world while in the service also exposed him to diverse ingredients and flavor
and texture combinations that he has incorporated into his products.
The CIA San Antonio offers associate degrees in both Culinary Arts and Baking
& Pastry Arts. Graduates can then transfer to the college’s New York campus to complete bachelor’s degrees in Food
Business Management, Culinary Science, or Applied Food Studies.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Kamal Grant ’04, a U.S. Navy veteran and founder of Sublime
Doughnuts, was commencement speaker at The Culinary Institute of America, San
Antonio on April 13, 2017. Chef Grant’s doughnuts have been honored as the best
in America by several publications. (Photo
credit: Darren Abate/CIA)
View hi-res image >
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
jeff.levine@culinary.edu
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 degree
majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate
degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education
through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs
and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting
services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its
worldwide network of 49,000 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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