Michael Ferraro Delivers Keynote at his Alma Mater
Hyde Park, NY – Michael Ferraro, executive chef and partner at New
York City’s Delicatessen and macbar restaurants, delivered
the commencement address at the New
York campus of The Culinary Institute of America on June 15. The CIA
alumnus has been running Delicatessen since 2008, during which time he has
incorporated world flavors into the menu and elevated the cuisine, earning much
acclaim along the way. He opened macbar in 2009,
concentrating on gourmet macaroni and cheese.
“There’s a lot of glitz and glamour that comes along with
becoming a chef,” Ferraro told the newest CIA graduates. “I want you guys to
make me a promise to uphold all the principles that you learned here at the
CIA. Draw on those humble beginnings as I try to do. Move them forward with you
with every challenge, success, and decision you have to make in your career.”
A member of the first Zagat “30 Under 30” list in 2011, Chef Ferraro was also named one of New York City’s
“Most Eligible Bachelors” by Gotham magazine. He is active in the “Cooking. Comfort. Care.” initiative, which provides recipes, tips, and nutritional
resources to pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers.
A moment of silence was held at the beginning of the
ceremony for CIA graduate Anthony Bourdain, who died
a week earlier. Coincidentally, Bourdain was the
keynote speaker at Ferraro’s CIA graduation in 2002.
The entire CIA commencement ceremony, including Michael
Ferraro’s address to recipients of associate degrees in baking & pastry
arts and culinary arts, can be seen online.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Chef Michael Ferraro speaks to graduates of The Culinary
Institute of America at the college's New York campus on June 15, 2018. A CIA
graduate himself, Ferraro is executive chef and partner of Delicatessen and macbar in New York City. (Photo credit: Al Nowak/On Location Studios)
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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