Franklin Becker ’93
Owns NYC’s The Little Beet
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Hyde Park, NY – Franklin Becker, chef/owner of The Little Beet in New York City,
delivered the commencement address at The Culinary
Institute of America (Ѹ) on September 26. The Little Beet is a popular
gluten-free take-out spot in Manhattan, and the 1993 Ѹ graduate is using it
to share the message of turning healthy eating into a way of life.
“The most important lesson I learned from my time here is
how to change lives through food,” Chef Becker told 65 associate degree graduates at the Ѹ’s New York campus. “I look at my kids and
think about what’s best for them and how I can teach the right lessons in food
and in life.”
After developing type 2 diabetes at age 27, Chef Becker
transformed his cooking style, using simple ingredients to make dishes that are
both healthy and flavorful. He is expanding The Little Beet concept with both a
café version and a new fine-dining restaurant. The Brooklyn native is the
author of three cookbooks: Eat & Beat
Diabetes, The Diabetic Chef, and Good
Fat Cooking.
Becker, who was named a Rising Star Chef by StarChefs.com in
2006, is also an advocate for autism awareness.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image
Franklin Becker '93 returned to The Culinary Institute of
America on September 26, 2014 to deliver the commencement address at his alma
mater. (Photo credit: 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, applied food studies, and culinary
science, 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 46,000 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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