Oscar Barrera wasn’t always a chef—before he followed his passion for the kitchen, he was a medical resident studying to become a doctor in Chile. After realizing that food was his true calling, he competed on MasterChef Chile and worked with The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organization. It was through these experiences that Oscar desired to develop his skills in the kitchen—leading him to enroll in the International Culinary Center’s Professional Culinary Arts program in 2017!

Last year, ICC Professional Pastry Arts graduate and owner of Heritage Bakers, David Shalam took home the gold for his signature Heritage Bagel at the inaugural Tiptree World Bread Awards USA supported by American Bakers Association. This year, in addition to winning gold again for his Heritage Bagel, he also took home the top prize for his Little Scarlet Cream Filled Popovers.

When you think of Argentinean wines, Malbec almost always comes to mind. For more than a decade, Malbec has been ruling the terroir of the country, predominantly in the region of Mendoza.

Each year, we are always so proud to see alumni and Deans of the International Culinary Center recognized for excellence in their field. With the recent announcements from the James Beard Foundation, we’d like to congratulate the following ICC alumni [and Dean!] for being recognized in the list of 2018 James Beard Award Semifinalists!

Jersey City’s Milk Sugar Love Creamery, owned by 2009 Professional Pastry Arts graduate Emma Taylor, and Princeton’s The Bent Spoon, owned by 2003 Professional Pastry Arts graduate Gabrielle Carbone, featured in The New York Times.

Written by Kaitlin Wayne ICC Student, Professional Pastry Arts