CIA Honored at Inaugural Taste Talks Food & Drink Awards

College Wins Innovation Award for “Best Academic Institution or Organization”

Hyde Park, NY – The Culinary Institute of America was an honoree at the newest, hippest awards night honoring the best of food and drink. The CIA received the Innovation Award for “Best Academic Institution or Organization” at the first Taste Talks Food & Drink Awards, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, NY on September 26.

Hosted by television personality Mo Rocca, the inaugural Taste Talks Food & Drink Awards celebrated “what’s inspiring the new generation of eaters, drinkers, and innovators.”

Other nominees in the category with the CIA were the Museum of Food and Drink, Southern Foodways Alliance, New York University’s Food Studies program, and Yale University’s Sustainable Food Program.

“For 70 years the CIA has been leading the way in innovative culinary and food business education,” said management graduate Fletcher Tingle ’16, in accepting the award on behalf of the college. “Tonight, there is no better confirmation of that leadership than the fact that—in addition to this award—so many of my fellow alumni were nominated for Taste Talks Food & Drink Awards.”

Among the 17 rising star and established CIA graduates who were nominated, alumni winners were:

• Roy Choi ’98, Innovation Award: Best Startup (chef and co-owner, LocoL)
• Francis Lam ’03, Media Award: Best Magazine or Newspaper Article (“Edna Lewis and the Black Roots of American Cooking,” The New York Times)
• Christine Langelier ’12, Outstanding Restaurant: National (general manager, Blue Hill at Stone Barns)
• Alon Shaya ’99, Best New Chef: South and Best New Restaurant: South (partner and executive chef, Shaya)

Photo Caption:

CIA management graduate Fletcher Tingle ’16 holds the first-ever Taste Talks Award for Best Academic Institution or Organization. The CIA received the award at a ceremony at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on September 26, 2016. (Photo credit: CIA)

Media Contact:

Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_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 campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.

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