Academy of Culinary Arts Awards Medals to New Chefs at Dec. 19 Graduation Ceremony
December 19, 2012
The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College awarded culinary medals and certificates to more than 40 new chefs and baking and pastry professionals prepared with the latest culinary knowledge on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
Thirty-two graduates honed their skills in the Academy’s Culinary Arts program, and 15 completed the Baking and Pastry program. Two short-term specialization certificates in Hot Food and Food Service Management were awarded.
The awards ceremony was held in the college’s Walter Edge Theater on the Mays Landing Campus, and honored the graduates with gold, silver or bronze medals or certificates based on their grade point averages and criteria established by the American Culinary Federation. Specialization graduates received certificates of completion. A reception at Careme’s, the on-campus, student-run gourmet restaurant, followed the ceremony.
Devin Plenderleith of Somers Point, was named valedictorian and winner of the Nathan Schwartz Award, which is presented to the top student of each graduating class. The keynote speaker was ACA graduate Chef Bob Marshall Jr., senior vice president of operations, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations. Chef Marshall is responsible for delivering consistent operational excellence, service innovation and performance results for 40 locations, some of which include: Denali National Park, Togwotee Mountain Resort (Jackson Hole) and Lake Powell Resort.
Honorees, their hometowns (by county) and their awards are:
ATLANTIC
Peter Almonte, Galloway—Bronze, Culinary Arts
Michael Buckley, Galloway—Silver, Culinary Arts
Bryan Farmer, Absecon—Bronze, Culinary Arts
Bridgette Fox, Galloway—Silver, Baking and Pastry
Christian Godoy, Egg Harbor Township—Bronze, Culinary Arts
Dominic Handy, Atlantic City—Certificate, Culinary Arts
Christiaan Junne, Pleasantville—Certificate, Culinary Arts
Jamie Lapinta, Absecon—Bronze, Baking and Pastry
Jordan Limauro, Egg Harbor Township—Gold, Culinary Arts
Thomas Michelfelder, Brigantine—Bronze, Culinary Arts
Marco Pacheco, Galloway—Certificate, Culinary Arts
Sade Quince, Atlantic City—Silver, Culinary Arts
Keisha Scott, Atlantic City—Bronze, Culinary Arts
Matthew Seckinger, Mays Landing—Silver, Culinary Arts
Catharine Tarquinio, Richland—Gold, Baking and Pastry
Alexander Valletta, Brigantine—Bronze, Culinary Arts
Matthew Weber, Egg Harbor City—Gold, Baking and Pastry
BURLINGTON
Dominic Perillo, Riverside—Certificate, Culinary Arts
CAMDEN
Taylor Carlson, Sicklerville—Bronze, Baking and Pastry
Leann Ellis, Sicklerville—Certificate, Baking and Pastry
Joseph Mikitish, Cherry Hill—Gold, Culinary Arts
Brendan Riley, Voorhees—Certificate, Culinary Arts
Dawn Simons, Camden—Certificate, Food Service Management Specialization
Ryan Steinberger, Haddonfield—Certificate, Culinary Arts
Robyn Tesch, Audobon Park—Silver, Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry
CAPE MAY
Joseph Bispels, Cape May—Silver, Culinary Arts
Christine Caraballo, Woodbine—Silver, Baking and Pastry
Julia Harrison, Cape May Court House—Silver, Baking and Pastry
Michael Loefflad, Cape May Court House—Gold, Culinary Arts
Kristy Moore, Wildwood—Silver, Baking and Pastry
Devin Plenderleith, Somers Point—Gold, Culinary Arts
Raymond Wright, Cape May—Silver, Culinary Arts
CUMBERLAND
Grace Blandino, Bridgeton—Silver, Culinary Arts
M. Jennifer Culler, Millville—Gold, Baking and Pastry
Frank Derise, Millville—Certificate, Culinary Arts and Hot Food Specialization
Geraldine Howard, Bridgeton—Silver, Culinary Arts
Ryan Macey, Bridgeton—Silver, Culinary Arts
Steven Moore, Vineland—Bronze, Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry
Brandon Puckett, Vineland—Silver, Culinary Arts
ESSEX
Maria Nicastro, Belleville—Silver, Culinary Arts
GLOUCESTER
Erika Burke, Williamstown—Silver, Baking and Pastry
Kaitlyn Deabler, Swedesboro—Silver, Baking and Pastry
OCEAN
Harli Arcieri, Bayville—Silver, Culinary Arts
Jordan Colucci, West Creek—Silver, Culinary Arts
Joseph Fisco, Toms River—Bronze, Culinary Arts
SUSSEX
Paige Toriello, Stockholm—Bronze, Baking and Pastry
The ACA has been training future chefs for more than 30 years. Academy graduates can be found in kitchens around the world in major hotel and restaurant chains, while others have gone on to open their own restaurants and catering businesses. For more information about the Academy of Culinary Arts, call 1-800-645‑CHEF, e-mail accadmit@atlantic.edu, or visit the ACA online at www.atlantic.edu/aca.