Baker College culinary arts director to receive American Academy of Chefs award

Recinella cited for devotion to students

PORT HURON, Mich. – Thomas Recinella, CEC, ACE, AAC, program director for Baker College of Port Huron’s Culinary Institute of Michigan, will receive the Sharing Culinary Traditions Award from the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), the honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), on July 27. The award will be presented during a formal ceremony at the ACF national convention in Kansas City.  

Recinella, director of the culinary arts and food and beverage management programs, was chosen for this honor because of his unwavering dedication to the education of future culinarians.

“Over the years, Chef Tom has shown his passion to work with students and culinarians,” said AAC Chairman Stafford DeCambra, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC. “He is an ideal role model with a deeply rooted passion for and love of the profession. Chef Tom is most deserving of this prestigious culinary award.”

Recinella has been an indispensable constituent of Baker College since September 2012 when he was selected to expand its world-class culinary arts program in Port Huron. He has more than 30 years of culinary and food and beverage experience under his pleated toque with an extensive background in private clubs, fine dining restaurants, catering, banquets and culinary education.

Recinella is a long-time ACF member and an AAC fellow. Last year, he was inducted into membership of the prestigious gastronomic society Disciples Escoffier International-USA.

For more information about the Baker College of Port Huron culinary arts program, contact Daniel Kenny in the admissions office at Daniel.Kenny@baker.edu, or 810.985.7000 or 888.262.2442.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.

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