Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Italy Dinner Raises Funds for Students’ Educational Trip to Italy in May

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts (ACA) raised more than $3,000 during its annual Italy dinner fundraiser on February 20 at Carême’s on the Mays Landing campus to support its students planning to attend the ACA’s upcoming Marco Polo Study Abroad Program in Italy.

This year the ACA welcomed guest Chef Gino Minacapelli, a chef instructor at Agenzia di Formazione Professionale (AFP) in Agliano Terme, Asti, Italy, and four of his students. Their visit was made possible thanks to the generosity of Giacomo Berselli and the Marco Polo Institute, which has fostered a long-standing partnership with the ACA by facilitating enriching study-abroad opportunities for ACA students since 2016.

“Our annual Italy Dinner enables students to experience new culture and cuisine, expanding the culinary horizons of ACA students,” said Joseph Sheridan, director, ACA and Hospitality. “The dinner is more than just supporting the trip, it's about empowering students to immerse themselves in new experiences that will help expand their understanding of the world.”

Chef Minacapelli, along with several of his students from AFP, prepared the evening’s regional Italian-inspired menu, which featured soft polenta with poached egg Parmigiano-Reggiano fondue fried artichoke and truffle pearls; risotto alla Barbara d’Asti with sausage and leek hay; chestnut stuffed guinea fowl with balsamic glazed onion, truffled cream and olive oil mashed potatoes; hazelnut semifreddo with gianduja cream and salted chocolate soil.

ACA students that attend the 17-day Italy excursion between May 27-June 12 will visit the Anzio, Parma, Ferrara and Asti regions of the country. The students will engage in 26 hours of cooking classes, 26 hours of field trips to wineries, food producers, farms and more, as well as 22 hours of cultural tours to Rome, Venice, Torino and the Cinque Terre.

Each of the students will learn about traditional, protected Italian foodstuffs, such as Mozzarella di Bufala, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Aceto Balsamico, Carnaroli Rice and more. They will also experience everything coffee from Lavazza, learn the proper temperature and pressure to draw a perfect espresso and will get to practice Latte Art. Also, this year, the students will spend a day foraging for truffles.

“International travel provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse culinary traditions, enhancing their skills and broadening their perspectives. This experience not only shapes their personal growth, but also makes them more marketable to employers,” said Sheridan. “The scholarship funds raised from the Italy dinner, along with the generous support of the Atlantic Cape Foundation, are instrumental in helping ACA students take advantage of these opportunities, allowing them to gain hands-on experience and realize their dreams.”

Students may use this trip towards their degree as a general education elective course.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/aca for more information on the Academy of Culinary Arts.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.