MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts (ACA) program recognized 33 second-year students for completing their first year of studies at the 4th Annual Coat and Toque Ceremony on November 6 in the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus.
“We are here today to acknowledge an important milestone in your educational journey. It symbolizes the progress you've made and it will remind you of what you are working towards to accomplish as the days go forward,” said Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba. “Reaching this milestone is a significant accomplishment that demonstrates your hard work, dedication and focus. By keeping up the hard work, you can achieve many things. Those who obtain the credentials from this nationally-respected culinary academy will be well prepared for their career of choice and will have many doors open to you.”
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.
“For over 40 years, the Academy of Culinary Arts has earned its reputation as an institution of excellence. I'm reminded of all the accomplished chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs that have come through these doors and have gone on to incredibly successful careers across the country and across the globe,” said Dr. Gaba. “The success of our academy and its graduates rest on the shoulders of our esteemed chef educators. They are commensurate professionals in their own right, and they're integral to the academy's excellence. They provide the high-quality, hands-on training that is foundational to your culinary education, and they are passionate about supporting your success.”
Chef Joseph Sheridan, director of the ACA and Hospitality, spoke of the importance and history of the chef’s coat and toque, and why each student should wear them both with pride.
“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 Sheridan. “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.”
Baking & Pastry student and Stratford, NJ resident Kaitlynn O’Keefe is grateful to reach this milestone in her journey.
“Receiving the ceremonial coat and toque means it’s another step in my journey. It's taken a lot of decisions to come here and find my true path, which I have and enjoy doing. It's a reminder that everyone else is here doing the same thing and that I just want keep doing my own thing and hopefully it works out,” said O’Keefe, who eventually want to open her own bakery that specializes in artisan breads and pastries.
Culinary student and Wildwood Crest resident Vincenzo Daniels has big plans down the road after he graduates from the ACA.
“This ceremony means to me that I am improving with every step I make. I know that I am going to see a brighter light in the future in the culinary industry,” said Daniels, who is currently a prep and catering chef at the Washington Inn in Cape May, NJ “For now, I want to stick with the job I have [at the Washington Inn] and keep on improving maybe with them for five years and maybe even open a restaurant one day.”
Students who received their second-year chef’s coat and toque were:
Baking & Pastry – Abigail Drewry, Turnersville; Patricia Guittar, Sea Isle City; Amy Jimenez, Manahawkin; Madelyn Kurman, Galloway; Hannah Lopez, Absecon; Jada Massey, Egg Harbor Township; Kaitlynn O’Keefe, Stratford; and Taylor Whedbee, Egg Harbor Township.
Culinary – Nicholas Abad, Sicklerville; Rheymon Barretto, Brick; Citlally Cruz, Vineland; Kayla Cruz, Newtonville; Vincenzo Daniels, Wildwood Crest; Michael Detreville, Mount Royal; Devon Devico, Rio Grande; William Gordon, Haddon Township; Jake Jauch, Manahawkin; Danna Jimenez, Manahawkin; Hope Johnson, Bridgeton; Saul Lopez, Pennsauken; Guadalupe Luque-Sanchez, Pleasantville; Johnathan Magnan, Jr., Landisville; Nathan Mejlak, Mays Landing; Huy Ngo, Sicklerville; A. Marcus Painter, Egg Harbor Township; Alexander Perrin, Oceanview; Chase Quintavalle, Williamstown; Emaani Roots, Paulsboro; Mariah Salamanca, Mays Landing; William Sanford, Williamstown; Julian Startare, Elmer; Samad Steele, Atlantic City; and Ellianna Tasso, Bayville.
Dr. Denise-Marie Coulter, senior dean, Liberal Studies and Culinary Arts, applauded each and every student for the tremendous progress they have made to date.
“Tonight, we celebrate and we reflect. Some of you may decide to stop here, but I suspect and encourage you to continue, keep striving ahead. Focus on that goal you want to achieve. Earn that degree. Transfer to a four-year institution, if that's what you desire, or find employment in that special restaurant with that chef who you know is going to inspire and teach you more. Take on that personal chef assignment or open a bakery, find your passion and pursue it,” said Dr. Coulter. “I see individual growth, maturity, wonderful bonding and friendship happening every day. These are important connections that you should try to keep hold of for the future. The key to success is to try to learn from any challenges you face and to keep moving forward because that's how you got here today.”
Chef Sheridan left the 33 baking & pastry and culinary students with an important reminder.
“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.”
Visit atlanticcape.edu/aca for more information on Atlantic Cape’s highly-acclaimed Academy of Culinary Arts program.
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 34 certificate and 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.
