The competition is heating up. Chefs from across Aramark lines of business have been competing head-to-head locally and regionally to become finalists in this year’s Aramark Culinary Excellence (ACE) competition.
ACE allows chefs to showcase their passion for excellence in a competitive, exciting, and enriching environment dedicated to providing growth and development while continuing to nurture a global culinary culture.
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality ACE Finalists
In July, eight top chefs from Aramark Collegiate Hospitality competed in a high-energy ACE challenge held at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, CA.
Each chef was tasked with creating a four-course meal using a basket of mystery ingredients. Their creations were judged by four American Culinary Federation-certified professionals on technique, presentation, and flavor.
Congratulations to the following three chef finalists who will compete as a team in the enterprise-wide ACE competition in October 2025:
- Matt Kuver, University of Tennessee – Knoxville
- Myles Hamilton, Fairfield University (CT)
- Jonathan Burns, Harvest Table at Wake Forest University (NC)
“Our chefs are experts at understanding the needs and culture of students and faculty at every campus—and responding to them by crafting dining experiences that excite, comfort, and build community,” said Jack Donovan, President and CEO, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “Congratulations to all our chefs who shared their culinary passion by competing in ACE. They make Aramark—and their campuses—proud.”
The team of three Aramark Collegiate Hospitality chefs will move on to compete against other chefs from Aramark Destinations, Aramark Healthcare+, Aramark Student Nutrition, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, and Aramark Workplace Experience Group at the enterprise-wide ACE competition in the fall.
