The 2011 Rising Stars

 

A born and raised Philadelphian, Curtis Johnson fell in love with the culinary industry while working as a prep cook in an Italian restaurant during his senior year at Dobbins Randolph Technical High School. Working under the direction of great chefs and mentors such as Chef William Finnegan and Darryl Harmon, Curtis learned all aspects of the kitchen. His hard work, passion and devotion began paying off as he was quickly promoted through the ranks. In May of 2011, Curtis began attending JNA Institute of Culinary Arts to pair his hands on experience with a formal education. In addition to being a full time student, Curtis is also the Sous Chef at The Water Works restaurant in Philadelphia.
     
 Antonio Eikerenkoetter was born and raised in Philadelphia until the age of 15 when he moved to Falls Church, VA to attend J.E.B. Stuart High School and pursue his goal of playing college football. After graduating in 2009 Antonio moved to Albany N.Y. to attend Albany College and continue playing football. After a year at Albany College his newly found love of cooking took hold. Antonio moved back to Philadelphia, found that the local degree granting Culinary Schools were cost prohibitive to him and fortunately found out about OIC’s Opportunities Inn Program.
Antonio began his cooking career at OIC in March 2010 under the tutelage of Chef Instructor Chalie Schmidt. Chef Schmidt arranged for Antonio to work at Barry Gutins Culinary Concepts for 4 months while in school and between the two experiences found himself on the “Fast Track”
Antonio’s hand-ons education continues as he is now a chef de partie at Master Chef of France Olivier de St. Martins Caribou Café in Center City. In addition to school and work Antonio has volunteered his time to support Chef Schmidt and OIC in his participation in Marc Vetri’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand Event and the second annual Feastival Event.
     
John Chappelle was born and raised in Philadelphia. He is in his 5th quarter in the Art Institute of Philadelphia’s Culinary Arts program, pursuing an Associates Degree. Some of his achievements include Best of Quarter and Rising Star. Much of his early inspiration came from watching his father cook. John has worked the front of the house for years and is finding his kitchen legs after a stint at Table 31 and currently working in the kitchen at City Tap House. The flavor profiles that most characterize his style are subtle and nuanced including the use of seasonality and Southeast Asian influences in his dishes.
     




My name is Karlee Thorpe, i am 22 years old and currently studying Food Service Management at BCC. Since i could remember culinary arts was my calling in life, and to create dishes through my imagination was always my forte. This is my last semester at BCC and I plan on continuing my culinary arts degree through Drexel at BCC. The Hilton Garden Inn located in Westampton, NJ is where I reside as a chef in the kitchen. Cooking breakfast and catering banquets, private parties, meeting and birthdays are some specific areas I am working in. In the future I plan on opening my own restaurant or catering business, making individuals happy with the food i enjoy cooking.

Hi, my name is TyShima Hicks and I am a 3rd year Culinary Arts student at Burlington County Community College, enrolled in the A.A.S. degree program. I graduated from The Burlington County Institute of Technology in Westampton where Culinary Arts was my career major. I have known that I wanted to be a Chef since the age of 13 and cooking has always been a passion of mine. I have experience in both the back and front of the house, working with children, and volunteering for the many events that the college hosts. Over the years my views of food and foodservice has changed to a more healthful approach to eating and preparing foods since becoming Vegan a little over a year ago. I want to encourage people not only to eat delicious food, but to make it in a way that is optimal for the body and the environment.
  Dr. Scott Adzick The Dr. Audrey E. Evans Award of Excellence was presented to N. Scott Adzick, M.D., M.M.M., Surgeon-in-Chief of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and C.Everett Koop Professor of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, for his dedication and innovations in the field of fetal medicine.