College of Culinary Arts Success Stories

They started as Culinary Arts students at Johnson & Wales University. Now they’re celebrity chefs, restaurant owners, TV show hosts, company CEOs, personal chefs, sommeliers and pioneers in the culinary nutrition field.

Balancing Business + Creativity
JWU grad Derek Wagner '99 bought his Providence restaurant, Nicks on Broadway, when he was just 24.

Today, Fodor’s International Travel calls it “one of the world’s best restaurants” — and Derek is a James Beard Award-nominated chef.

JWU’s latest Distinguished Visiting Chef shares his practical advice on going far in culinary.

Culinary News
Major Honor for Emeril Lagasse
Star chef, JWU alum honored as James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year.

Top Chef Master: JWU’s Chris Cosentino
The JWU grad (and Incanto's executive chef) wins Bravo’s culinary reality show.

Waldorf Astoria NY Names JWU Grad Restaurant Chef of Hotel’s Culinary Institutions
Read the HotelExecutive article on Christopher Eagle' 93 

VIDEO: Culinary’s Next Frontier
Our multi-year project to make science an equal partner in culinary education.

“Best New Restaurant in Chicago” Goes to Alum
Read the Chicago Magazine article on winner Chris Nugent ’95

VIDEO: Tulane + JWU's Groundbreaking Collaboration
Uniting doctors and chefs to improve the USA’s health.

Career Advice
Ask a James Beard Award-Winning Chef
Sean Brock '00, executive chef
McCrady’s and Husk, Charleston, SC
Bon Appétit’s “Best New Restaurant” Winner

Alumni in Culinary Arts
Lorena Garcia, TV Host/Author, Loves Bold, Worldly Flavors
Lorena Garcia '00, chef and owner, Lorena Garcia Cocina, Lorena Garcia Studios

“Hell’s Kitchen” Winner a JWU Alum
Paul Neidermann '07 wows notoriously tough host Gordon Ramsay.

Michelle Bernstein: Fueled by Latin Flavor, Global Fusion
Michelle Bernstein '94, '03 Hon., chef, restaurant owner, television personality

Tyler Florence Says JWU "Let Me Pursue My Passion"
Tyler Florence ’94, ’04 Hon., CEO, The Florence Group

Food Trucks, Pop-up Restaurants and More
Will Gilson '04, chef-owner, Puritan & Co.

Mad Scientist? Pastry Chef? JWU Alum Finds Success as Both
Ben Roche '02, executive chef, Baume + Brix

Sharpening Skills through Restaurant Consulting
Katy Sparks '86, owner, Katy Sparks Consulting

RI Native Cosentino Elevates Rustic Italian Cooking to New Heights
Chris Cosentino '94, executive chef, Incanto

Boston-based Chef Believes in Bold Flavors and Giving Back
Andy Husbands '92, chef and owner, Tremont 647, Sister Sorel

Hell's Kitchen Winner Built "Unbreakable Foundation" at JWU
Rahman "Rock" Harper '96, executive chef and entrepreneur