ODU's Tim Brown Designated a 'Distinguished Chef' by Culinary Institute of America
Old Dominion University executive chef Tim Brown was recently designated a "distinguished chef" by the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).
Brown was one of 42 ARAMARK Higher Education chefs to have graduated from the CIA's prestigious ProChef Certification program in 2010.
He completed the ProChef II training, a comprehensive professional development and culinary skills verification program. The training measures core culinary, managerial and financial acumen, including a chef's skill in taste, proper cooking methods, authenticity, plating, use of all ingredients, hygiene and disposal of food waste.
"We are very pleased with our partnership with ARAMARK and their commitment to the professional development of their culinary team," said Tama Murphy, director of certification and training at the CIA. "The ProChef Certification training provides these already creative chefs with the additional skills, training and tools needed to excel in their careers."
ARAMARK worked closely with the CIA to develop a customized, hands-on course that reflects the real-world environment where executive chefs work on a daily basis, as well as the large-scale, diverse and innovative menus they often prepare.
"We are extremely proud of Tim, and all of the chefs who worked so hard to achieve ProChef Certification," said Chris Hackem, president of ARAMARK Higher Education. "ARAMARK's partnership with the CIA has enabled us to strengthen our culinary expertise and deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients and customers."
In order to participate in ProChef training, each chef had to be accepted into the program by an application review committee. The four-day practical and written exam at the CIA's Hyde Park, N.Y., campus was the culmination of a 10-week program that required chefs to complete online course work and spend multiple hours in the kitchen practicing and advancing their skills. Each executive chef was paired with a CIA mentor who provided one-on-one guidance through the entire certification process. Before certification could occur, each candidate was evaluated by members of the CIA's award-winning faculty.
Founded in 1946, the Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts, as well as certificate programs in culinary arts and professional wine studies. The CIA has a network of more than 40,000 alumni, including famous chefs Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Michael Chiarello and Cat Cora, Steve Ells, Todd English, Duff Goldman, Sara Moulton, Charlie Palmer and Roy Yamaguchi.