Photo by Craig Matthews/Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College Academy of Culinary Arts recognized more than two dozen second-year students for completing their first year of studies at the third annual Coat and Toque Ceremony held Thursday at the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus.
“The Culinary Arts program at Atlantic Cape has a long and distinctive history of graduating chefs who work around the world, and have rich and rewarding careers,” said Dr. Josette Katz, senior vice president of Academic Affairs. “The academy has been a point of pride here for decades and enjoys an excellent reputation internationally for graduating motivated and skilled professional chefs. Today we celebrate an occasion that symbolizes the dedication that you have put into your studies and into learning your craft. It marks a milestone on your path to becoming a chef.”
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.
“The chef’s toque has long been a symbol of the culinary profession and has a history that dates back to the 16th century,” Academy of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Director Joseph Sheridan said. “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.”
The students pose with Director Joseph Sheridan wearing their hard-earned coats and toques.Students who received their second-year chef’s coat and toque are:
Kinyatta Haynes, Dorian Lopes and Yichen Wang, of Atlantic City; Nahomy Brizuela, Kyleigh Gibson, Vi’Monae Napper and Syanne Pett, of Pleasantville; Grace Carpenter and Valerie Davis, of Egg Harbor Township; Madison Chainey, Thomas McShane and Tiarah Williams, of Hammonton; Skylar Leary, Robert Macrie and Zachary McKensie, of Mays Landing; Saudly Delphin Jr. of Ventnor; Anthony Spero of Linwood; Kiana Turner of Absecon; Julia McDonnell of Brigantine; Isabella Brita of Ocean City; Haley Richards of Ocean View; Jasaiya M Phillips and Trista Suppi, of Vineland; Amy Jimenez, Manahawkin and Danna Jimenez, of Manahawkin, Ocean County; Alyssa Rae Pietropaolo of Jackson, Ocean County; Tyra Ford of Blackwood, Camden County, and Nicole Taylor of Williamstown, Gloucester County
“With this recognition comes responsibility," Sheridan told them. "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.
“The faculty, administration and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your dedication and hard work," he added. "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."
