Philadelphia, PA, January 12, 2009 – ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment is pleased to announce four regional executive chefs have earned The Culinary Institute of America’s prestigious ProChef III certification after completing a comprehensive professional development and culinary skills verification program taught by the world’s premier culinary college. They are ARAMARK’s first chefs to receive ProChef III certification.
ProChef III measures the highest level of core culinary, managerial and financial acumen, with an emphasis on Asian and Latin cuisine, as well as wine and food pairing. The regional executive chefs who successfully completed ProChef III are:
Rik Kiessling
Edward Lake
Brian Stapleton
O’Brien Tingling
As ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment’s senior chefs, regional executive chefs ensure optimal culinary performance at the company’s stadiums, arenas, convention centers, amphitheatres, cultural attractions, and parks and resorts across the country. They oversee hiring and training of executive chefs, coordinate culinary support for venues and introduce new dining initiatives at all accounts.
ARAMARK’s partnership with the CIA is part of an ongoing commitment to provide its culinary leaders with the necessary training and tools to excel in their jobs. ARAMARK worked closely with the CIA to develop a customized, hands-on course that reflects the real-world environment that executive chefs work in on a daily basis, as well as the large-scale, diverse and innovative menus they often are asked to prepare.
“Our chefs’ hard work and preparation has paid off with their completion of the ProChef Program, which effectively verifies and validates their capabilities,” said Jack O’Brien, president of ARAMARK Convention Centers, who also leads ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment’s culinary initiatives. “This group performed at the highest level individually and collectively, showcasing once again why ARAMARK is the industry leader with skilled, confident and dynamic individuals. I’m sure our clients and guests will appreciate the reenergized approach they are bringing back from this invigorating experience.”
"We applaud ARAMARK's desire to put its culinary team through the ProChef certification program," said Tama Murphy, Director of Continuing Education and coordinator of ProChef Certification at the CIA. “It is worth noting that these four regional executive chefs also supported their colleagues’ efforts to attain ProChef I and II certifications. They reinforce ARAMARK's devotion to ongoing professional development and the culinary offerings they serve their customers.”
Since its inception, more than 50 executive chefs from across ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment have completed ProChef I, II and/or III training. More are scheduled to attend similar classes at the CIA during the coming months.
In order to participate in ProChef training, an Application Review Committee considers the merit of each chef. The four-day practical and written exam at the CIA’s Hyde Park, NY campus is the culmination of a 10-week program that requires chefs to complete online course work and spend multiple hours in the kitchen practicing and advancing their skills. Each executive chef is paired with a CIA mentor who provides one-on-one guidance throughout the certification process. Before certification, each candidate is evaluated by members of the CIA's award-winning faculty.
Contacts:
David Freireich
215-238-4078
freireich-david@aramark.com