Alice Elliot Delivers
Keynote at Baccalaureate Commencement; Sandy Solmon Speaks to Associate Degree Graduates
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – Ѹ wrapped up 2014 with two graduations at the college’s Hyde
Park campus. A total of 190 students earned degrees during the ceremonies,
receiving inspiration and advice from a pair of prominent hospitality
executives. Alice Elliot, founder and CEO of the , spoke to 144 bachelor’s degree recipients on
December 18. The following day, Sandy Solmon,
founder, CEO, and chief innovator of ,
addressed 46 more students earning their associate degrees.
“The fact that you are graduating from this great school,
you have already demonstrated your passion, your purpose, and your seriousness,”
said Ms. Elliot, one of the nation’s foremost advisors in executive search,
human resources, and leadership for the hospitality and foodservice industry. “Your
ultimate roadmap to success and fulfillment is really going to be dependent
upon your compass point and how you choose to follow it.”
Ms. Elliot was named one of the Nation’s Restaurant News 50 most powerful people in foodservice in
2014. She is an inductee into the National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation’s College of Diplomates and a recipient of
the Women Foodservice Forum’s Trailblazer Award and the Roundtable for Women in
Foodservice’s Pacesetter Award.
Ms. Solmon offered similar advice
to associate degree graduates on December 19. “There are many worlds of
opportunity open to you as you develop confidence and your own language in the
kitchen,” she said. “Listen to your gut instinct. Ignore people who doubt your
abilities. Work harder than anyone expects of you, and embrace the moment that
is thrown in front of you.”
Solmon’s Reading, PA-based company
is the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen gourmet desserts. Sweet Street
Desserts are sold to cafés, restaurants, hotels, and institutional and
corporate food operations in 65 countries. Before entering the food world, Ms. Solmon was a photojournalist for The New York Times. She has been honored as one of Pennsylvania’s
50 Best Women in Business, received a Top Innovation Award from the Research
Chefs Association, and been inducted into the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators
Supplier Hall of Fame.
The Ѹ holds three baccalaureate and 16 associate degree commencements
at its Hyde Park campus each year. The ceremonies can be .
Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images
Photo 1 (top photo): Alice Elliot, founder and CEO of the Elliot Group, delivered the keynote
address at the baccalaureate commencement at Ѹ
on December 18, 2014. (Photo credits: Al
Nowak/Ѹ)
Photo 2: Sandy Solmon, founder and CEO of Sweet Street Desserts, with Ѹ
President Tim Ryan at associate degree commencement exercises at The Culinary
Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on December 19, 2014. (Photo credits: Al Nowak/Ѹ)
Founded in 1946, Ѹ is an independent,
not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees with majors in
culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, culinary science, and applied food
studies, as well as certificate programs in culinary arts and wine and beverage
studies. As the world's premier culinary college, the Ѹ provides thought
leadership in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world
cuisines & cultures through research and conferences. The Ѹ has a network
of 47,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy
Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The Ѹ also
offers courses for professionals and enthusiasts, as well as consulting
services in support of innovation for the foodservice and hospitality industry.
The college has campuses in Hyde Park, NY; St. Helena, CA; San Antonio, TX; and
Singapore.
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