Monroe College Culinary Arts Dean Frank Costantino Named Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation Long Island Chapter
New Rochelle, NY (PRWEB) December 03, 2013 -- Monroe College, a national leader in urban and international education that is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, today announced that Frank C. Costantino, Dean of Monroe College’s School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts, was named Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation Long Island Chapter (ACFLI).
The ACFLI Chef of the Year award is granted each year to a working chef who demonstrates the highest standard of culinary skills. Dean Costantino was nominated by the chapter this year in his capacity as Executive Chef at The Dining Lab, a critically acclaimed student-run restaurant that offers a full three-course gourmet dining experience, launched last spring at Monroe’s New Rochelle campus. The award enables Dean Costantino to apply next fall for consideration in the 2015 ACF Northeast Regional Chef of the Year Competition.
“Under Dean Costantino’s leadership, Monroe’s School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts has established itself as unquestionably one of the best of its kind,” said President Stephen Jerome. “The school is consistently garnering awards at prestigious competitions and its Dining Lab is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Westchester County. We take great pride in Dean Costantino’s achievements and are delighted his extraordinary talents continue to be recognized by his peers.”
Dean Costantino joined Monroe College’s staff in 2008 and has played a major role in developing the school’s Culinary Arts Program. Since 2009, the program has received more than 450 awards, most recently winning the coveted Marc Sarrazin Cup at the Salon of Culinary Art competition at the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show (IHMRS) in New York. Monroe Culinary has won 38 ACF medals so far this year.
Previously, Dean Costantino was a senior lead instructor at The Art Institute of New York from 2004-2006, and prior to that, was an associate professor at New York City’s College of Technology from 1991-2003. Earlier, he worked at some of New York City’s finest restaurants, including La Caravelle, Windows on the World, and Quatorze.
He has received numerous culinary awards and honors, having been named the 2006 Chef Educator of the Year by ACF’s Big Apple Chapter, and Chef of the Year by the same chapter in 2004. He was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of ACF, in 2004 and became an ACF-certified culinary judge the same year. There are less than 150 ACF-certified judges in the United States, and Monroe currently holds four on its staff.
In the ACFLI cook-off competition held earlier this month, Dean Costantino impressed the judges with his entrée titled, A Trio of Duck with Southwestern Influence, consisting of: Pan-seared Duck Breast with Red Chile Adobo Pan Reduction, Braised Duck and Blackbean cake with lime crème fraîche and Micro Cilantro, Spicy Duck Crepinette, Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Duck Crackling and a Mélange of carrot, Yellow Turnip and Golden Beets. He will receive the Chef of the Year award medallion in February 2014 at the chapter’s annual awards banquet.
Monroe College's Culinary Arts program is a world-class practical training program that prepares students for professional careers in the culinary field. Taught by a faculty of experienced industry professionals, students gain valuable instruction and mentoring in a real-world culinary environment. Its student-run restaurant, The Dining Lab, is currently open four days a week, Monday through Thursday, with three seatings at 6:30pm, 7pm, and 7:30pm. The cost of a three-course dinner is $18.95. For more information, and to view their seasonally adjusted menu, please visit http://www.thedininglab.com.
ABOUT MONROE COLLEGE
Founded in 1933, New York-based Monroe College is a nationally ranked private institution of higher learning with a student-centric learning approach that prioritizes hands-on academic experiences, practical and relevant academic programs, flexible learning schedules, best-in-class instructional technologies, and committed and engaged faculty to ensure that students are well positioned for career success upon graduation.
Monroe College offers Certificate, Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs to students from campuses in the Bronx, New Rochelle, as well as in the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia, with programs offered through its Schools of Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Nursing, Education, Business & Accounting, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, and Allied Health Professionals, as well as through its liberal arts and continuing education programs, and its King Graduate School. The institution was listed in the fall of 2013 by U.S. News & World Report as the most affordable ranked private college in New York State. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit http://www.monroecollege.edu.
Katharine Rose, STARKMAN, +1 (212) 252-8545, [email protected]
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