Community College of Philadelphia Professor and Chef Wins Culinarian of The Year Award from Cordon D’or Gold Ribbon International Culinary Academy

PHILADELPHIA, May. 5, 2010 —Chef Thomas J. Macrina, an adjunct professor at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Program at Community College of Philadelphia and executive chef at The Desmond Great Valley Hotel & Conference Center, received the Culinarian of the Year Award at the Cordon D' Or – Gold Ribbon International Culinary Academy Awards Ceremony on April 30 at The Don CeSar Beach Resort, St. Petersburg, Fla.

The prestigious award recognizes Macrina, national chairman of the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), for his exceptional contributions to the culinary industry as an executive chef and culinary educator mentoring culinary students and the culinary team that represents the United States in international cooking competitions. The AAC is the national honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

“Being recognized and awarded the Cordon D' Or - Gold Ribbon is an honor that validates the many years and long hours of work in the kitchen cooking to the best of my abilities each and every day,” said Macrina. “It is humbling to be associated with a group as distinguished and successful as the past and current recipients of this award.”

Macrina has been executive chef at The Desmond in Malvern since 1994 and a faculty member at the College for 23 years. He has served as chairman of the American Academy of Chefs, the national honor society for the ACF, since 2007. Before becoming AAC National Chairman, he served as the national vice chair for four years. Macrina also heads the board of the ACF Philadelphia chapter.  

Macrina, 53, believes that continuing education and professional development is essential to success in his chosen field. He has devoted much time and energy to the ACF and the AAC. Both organizations provide mentoring and scholarship awards for members to encourage and enhance their education throughout their careers.

The Norristown native earned an associate degree in occupational studies in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., in 1976. Before joining Desmond Great Valley Hotel and Conference Center, he was the corporate executive chef for Tabas Enterprises in Philadelphia and the executive chef at the Holiday Inn Clayton Plaza Hotel in Clayton, Mo. In addition to being a member of the AAC, he is a certified executive chef (CEC) and certified culinary administrator (CCA).

The Cordon D' Or Gold Ribbon Awards program is a part of Cordon d' Or – Gold Ribbon, Inc., located in St. Petersburg, Fla. The program was established in 1985 in Europe and has been in the United States since 1990.

The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in America. With more than 19,000 members spanning 230 chapters nationwide, ACF operates the only comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States.

Media Note: A photo of Chef Thomas J. Macrina is available upon request.