MAYS LANDING – Every success story is filled with moments that are littered with obstacles and adversities that have tested the heart and courage of many along the way. In the culinary and baking & pastry worlds, one must endure, along with life’s challenges, the heat and pressure of consistently creating your best dish and dessert day–after–day.
Atlantic Cape Community College Academy of Culinary Arts (ACA) Class of 2026 graduates and twin sisters, Amy and Danna Jimenez, remained resilient through enormously difficult times and were rewarded with their associate degrees from the ACA on May 21, 2026.
First–Generation college students from Manahawkin, Ocean County, Amy and Danna found their love for cooking at a young age from their grandmother. They continued this love for the culinary arts while attending Ocean County Vocational Technical High School in Brick Township, NJ.
During their first semesters in the ACA program at Atlantic Cape in 2023 and 2024, both Amy and Danna put their culinary skills to the test in numerous student competitions:
- Amy, Saudly Delphin and Anthony Spero placed third in the inaugural MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) Culinary Challenge on October 6, 2023.
- Amy received a $500 scholarship during the 24th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Food & Wine Scholarship Reception on November 16, 2023.
- Amy and Danna teamed up with Spero and placed third at the 2nd Annual Wing Wars competition on January 26, 2024.
- The following year, an All-Ocean County team consisting of Amy, Danna and Alyssa Pietropaolo won the 3rd Annual Wing Wars on January 24, 2025 competition and represented the ACA at the Annual Atlantic City Wing Fest.
Chef Joseph Sheridan, director, Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, was impressed by Amy and Danna’s positivity and enthusiasm from day one.
“From the moment they arrived, Amy and Danna showed great promise. They were polite, enthusiastic, eager to get involved, and quickly became well-liked by both their classmates and the Academy faculty,” said Sheridan. “The twins immersed themselves in student life, became active members of the Culinary Student Association and the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey. They participated in Wing Fest, The Captain's Table fundraiser, the Veterans Brunch, Let's Get Cooking for the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club, and the Jersey Gumbo Competition in Somers Point. They also helped organize on-campus events such as Fork and Film and food truck service for the College's drive-in movie night.”
Together with Pietropaolo, Amy and Danna organized a visit to the Ocean County Vocational Technical School, where they conducted culinary demonstrations for more than 100 students in March 2024.
Just after the start of their third semester in October 2024, both Amy and Danna received their second-year culinary coats and toques during a ceremony with their classmates. Shortly thereafter, the sisters reluctantly had to temporarily pause their studies and take a gap year from Atlantic Cape. Leaning on one another for strength, together, they persevered through domestic violence in their family home. Both suffered through PTSD and mental health struggles.
Amy fought to understand, despite her best efforts in the classroom, the true meaning behind the trials and tribulation she was forced to endure.
“That year was a huge struggle for me. I was so angry all the time wondering why this even happened to me. I worked so hard. I got good grades. I didn't complain and I tried to make a positive impact. There was a deeper meaning to this that took a long time to understand. A season of not knowing what I wanted to do after I graduated. I felt scared and I felt lost,” said Amy Jimenez.
It was during this time away from college that Amy, a baking & pastry major, found confirmation of her love for the culinary arts, thus finding her true calling.
“In my gap year, I worked in many kitchens training new staff and slowly found myself making an impact, but also really enjoying the teaching aspect of the industry. I took time to reflect and ask myself if being in this field was really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” said Amy Jimenez. “That's where my passion for teaching and wanting to become a culinary instructor came about. I took this time to reflect and ask myself if being in this field is really what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I'm so happy to say that my love only grew stronger.”
Twin sister Danna gained real–world industry knowledge during her gap year as well.
“During that year off I had a lot of time to heal, grow and further my career. I worked in restaurants and learned many skills. This made me stronger and pushed me to keep going. No matter what happened in the past I didn’t let it define me. Instead, it built me into the person I am today,” said Danna Jimenez.
Sheridan recalled how Amy and Danna tearfully broke the news of their need to step away from the ACA, yet they promised that they would return. True to their word, the sisters returned for the Fall 2025 Semester and it appeared as though they hadn’t missed a beat.
“They resumed their studies with determination, worked hard, excelled in the classroom and kitchen, continued participating in extracurricular activities, and completed their culinary studies in May,” said Sheridan.
Amy and Danna competed in the 20th Annual Iron Student Chef Competition on April 24, 2026. Amy and Jasmine Gonzalez Alegria won a first–place scholarship of $300 while Danna and Chase Quintavelle each earned a $200 scholarship.
The sisters also took on leadership responsibilities with the Culinary Students Association. Amy served one year as CSA president and one year as vice president while Danna served two years as secretary. Amy was one of two scholarship recipients to speak about the positive impact that the power of giving has made on their educational journey and their lives at the 59th Annual Atlantic Cape Foundation Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on May 18, 2026.
During the ACA Medals Ceremony on May 20, 2026, Amy received a silver medal award while Danna received a bronze medal award for their respective culinary academic achievements. Both are thankful to so many who have helped them over the years and played a pivotal role in allowing them to reach the finish line of receiving their associate degrees.
“I would like to thank all of the culinary instructors who helped me grow into the chef I am becoming. Without their wisdom and knowledge, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Also, thank you to my family and friends who have been here through every step of the way,” said Amy Jimenez.
“I would like to thank every single chef educator I had the honor of learning from. Even during my gap-year they always checked in on my sister and I. I’d also like to thank Chef Sheridan for pushing me to do my best even on my worst days. I’d like to thank my best friends Janell, Jorden and Anthony whom I met through the academy. Finding people who have the same drive and passion for this industry has been such a blessing and I couldn’t be more grateful. I want to thank my family too. We’ve been through so much together and them getting to see this milestone as a First-Generation student to graduate college means so much,” said Danna Jimenez.
Through it all, Amy and Danna leaned on each other for support through the good times and the bad.
“I want to thank my twin sister, Amy. Without her I’m not me. I thank her for sticking by me these last few years in the ACA. She will always be my rock and I’ll always be proud to be her sister,” said Danna Jimenez.
“To my twin sister, Danna, who has been by my side throughout the entire program, I can't thank you enough. You have been my motivation,” said Amy Jimenez.
Sheridan is tremendously proud of his recent graduates for overcoming their significant personal obstacles to reach this important milestone.
“The grit, resilience, and determination that Amy and Danna demonstrated are rare at any age, let alone among young students facing such challenges. I look forward to following their careers because I am confident, they will succeed in whatever path they choose. Their story is a testament to perseverance, commitment and the power of keeping a promise to yourself,” concluded Sheridan.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 34 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 to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. 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.
