MAYS LANDING – Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts (ACA) recognized 41 second-year students for completing their first year of studies, and presented them with their official coats and toques at the 5th Annual Coat and Toque Ceremony on October 29 in the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus.
The ACA began the Coat and Toque ceremony in 2022 as a way to honor students who have successfully completed their first year of culinary studies. The traditional embroidered white chef’s coat and toque are credited to acclaimed early 19th century French Chef Marie-Antoine Carême, who was known in the industry as the ‘king of chefs and the chef of kings.’ Carême sought to create a distinctive uniform for the culinary profession and he chose the color white to symbolize cleanliness.
Atlantic Cape President Dr. Jason Abreu acknowledged the support that the student’s families – from parents and grandparents to aunts, uncles and friends - have provided throughout their lives and academic journey at the ACA. Abreu also recognized the commitment and dedication of the ACA’s chef educators in helping cultivate the next generation of culinary and baking & pastry professionals, as well as the students themselves for their hard work.
“I know this journey takes a lot of commitment, hard work and perseverance. You are here as a testament to what dedication and commitment look like. I see you in the hallways; I see you as the first ones on campus; I see you working at Carême’s and I see you all the time doing everything possible to make this journey for your future. I congratulate you,” said Dr. Abreu.
Following a passion that began when she was a child, sophomore culinary/hot foods major Maria Fiocco, a Forked River, N.J. Ocean County resident and Lacey Township High School graduate, spoke of how she first became interested in cooking.
“I was always helping my dad prep in the kitchen. I was always like, ‘Oh, can I help?’ I originally saw it more so as a bonding moment with my parents when I cooked with them. I really didn't care for cooking then, but then when I got older, I realized I really like this,” said Fiocco, who was joined by her mother, Kathy, and father, Rich.
Maria, who works for Seafood Treasures in Lacey Township cutting fish, and selling oysters, clams and mussels, is excited to have reached this milestone in her culinary education.
“It's an honor to be here and be able to receive this for putting in the hard work. I’m excited to get out to the work field. I am still trying to decide what my dream profession may be, but I am thinking of maybe becoming a private chef.”
Sophomore culinary/hot foods major and Millville resident Edward Dover experimented as a child with myriad dishes in his mother Crystal’s kitchen. Today, along with working towards completing his ACA studies, Edward works at the Old Oar House in Millville as line chef and head chef. His goal is to eventually become a head chef at a casino.
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. 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.
“We hope you will wear them (coat and toque) proudly. The crisp new jacket and white toque will distinguish you as a professional and with that recognition comes responsibility. Your uniform will now set you apart from your peers here at the academy; signifying you as someone with some experience. It is our hope that you will hold yourself to a higher standard and aspire to be a role model for your fellow students.”
Students who received their second-year chef’s coat and toque were:
Baking and Pastry
Crystal Alvarez, Pleasantville; Shaina Deaton, Cape May; Sebastian Campos, Hammonton; Janae Carrington, Egg Harbor Township; Mauricio Chang, Mays Landing; Isabelle Cheeseman, Egg Harbor Township; Jayani Cortes, Egg Harbor Township; Grecia Cortes-Perez, Atlantic City; Madison Fitch, Egg Harbor Township; Caitlyn Galletta, Hammonton; Sophia Garcia, Millville; Destiny Mack, Atlantic City; Bella Marchesani, Wenonah; Aidaeliz Ortiz, Northfield; Gabrielle Ruberti, Richland and Nathan Sbrolla, Egg Harbor Township.
Culinary Arts
Anthony Alexander, Mays Landing; Jenahliz Aviles, Vineland; Kaden Boyd, Egg Harbor Township; Emily Buczynski, Milmay; Salvatore Campione, Hammonton; Julian Contreras-Rodriguez, Shiloh; Brendan Cueva, Turnersville; Ibn F. Davis, Galloway; Nathan Dominiano, Cherry Hill; Edward Dover, Millville; Maria Fiocco, Forked River; Niylah Glenn, Pleasantville; Jasmine Gonzalez Alegria, Egg Harbor Township; Kiana Harris, Bridgeton; Kimora Harrison, Atlantic City; Jocelyn Martin, West Deptford; Charlene McClain, Bridgeton; Emalie Menegus, Barnegat; Johnny Morales, Williamstown; Daniel Sawaqedy, Northfield; Nathan Smith, Cape May; Ryan Somers, Berlin; Nevaeh Thomas, Galloway and Julisa Trader, Atlantic City.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/aca for more information on Atlantic Cape’s highly-acclaimed Academy of Culinary Arts program.
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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 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 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.
