Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts (ACA) program recognized 25 second-year students for completing their first year of studies at the 3rd Annual Coat and Toque Ceremony on October 24 in the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus.
“The Culinary Arts program at Atlantic Cape has a long and distinctive history of graduating chefs who work around the world, and have rich and rewarding careers,” said Dr. Josette Katz, senior vice president, Academic Affairs. “The Academy has been a point of pride here for decades and enjoys an excellent reputation internationally for graduating motivated and skilled professional chefs. Today we celebrate an occasion that symbolizes the dedication that you have put into your studies and into learning your craft. It marks a milestone on your path to becoming a chef.”
The ACA began this ceremony in 2022 as a way to honor students who have successfully completed their first year of culinary studies. The embroidered chef’s coat and white chef’s toque distinguish them as second-year students and rising leaders with the ACA.
“The chef’s toque has long been a symbol of the culinary profession and has a history that dates back to the 16th century,” said Joseph Sheridan, director, Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality. “It is said that the toque’s height represented rank in the kitchen, with the taller hats worn by higher-ranking chefs. The pleats represented a chef’s level of expertise, symbolizing the number of ways a chef could prepare an egg.”
Students who received their second-year chef’s coat and toque were:
Isabella Brita, Ocean City; Nahomy Brizuela, Pleasantville; Grace Carpenter, Egg Harbor Township; Madison Chainey, Hammonton; Valerie Davis, Egg Harbor Township; Saudly Delphin Jr., Ventnor; Tyra Ford, Blackwood; Kyleigh Gibson, Pleasantville; Kinyatta Haynes, Atlantic City; Amy Jimenez, Manahawkin; Danna Jimenez, Manahawkin; Skylar Leary, Mays Landing; Dorian Lopez, Atlantic City; Robert Macrie, Mays Landing; Julia McDonnell, Brigantine; Zachary McKensie, Mays Landing; Thomas McShane, Hammonton; Vi’Monae Napper, Pleasantville; Syanne Petty, Pleasantville; Jasaiya M Phillips, Vineland; Alyssa Rae Pietropaolo, Jackson; Haley Richards, Ocean View; Anthony Spero, Linwood; Trista Suppi, Vineland; Nicole Taylor, Williamstown; Kiana Turner, Absecon; Yichen Wang, Atlantic City and Tiarah Williams, Hammonton.
“With this recognition comes responsibility. Your new uniform sets you apart from your first-year peers marking you as an experienced student and a professional. It is our hope and my expectation that you will hold yourself to a higher standard each day, and aspire to be a role model and mentor for your fellow first-year students,” said Sheridan. “The faculty, administration and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your dedication and hard work. Your achievement fills us with pride. This recognition celebrates your achievements and hopefully inspires our first-year students to continue their own journeys toward their degree,” said Sheridan.
View a photo gallery of this event on Flickr here.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/aca for more information on Atlantic Cape’s acclaimed Academy of Culinary Arts program.
