Chef Michael Gunyan Receives Distinguished “Certified Culinary Educator” Designation from ACF.

MONTPELIER, VT – Feb. 21, 2008 – New England Culinary Institute (NECI) in Montpelier, VT announced today that Chef Instructor Michael Gunyan has demonstrated his culinary genius once again by receiving the distinguished “Certified Culinary Educator” designation on Feb. 15, 2008 from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) — the largest professional chefs’ organization in North America.

“The certification is like putting a stamp of approval on my culinary skills, which results in a ‘win-win-win’ for the college, the students, and my career,” said Gunyan, who recently won the silver medal and the right to serve as an alternate contestant representing the United States at the Academie Culinaire de France’s National Trophy of Cuisine and Pastry. “Enhancing my professional skills makes me a better chef instructor at NECI.”

ACF certification means quality in the kitchen. It is a symbol of professionalism and a guide by which a “culinarian” can shape his or her career, according to the ACF. There are 14 levels of ACF certification, and each requires specific qualifications, in addition to knowledge of culinary nutrition, food safety and sanitation, and culinary supervisory management. Candidates must take both a written exam and a practical exam.

“The certification process is rigorous and intense, and required eight months of preparation, study and practice in order to take the 100-question written exam and the three-hour practical exam. It also required creating a menu of original, gourmet recipes, which included soups and sauces, a first course, and a main course,” he said. Not being one to “rest on his laurels”, he is planning to take the next level of ACF exams in March, and will also soon attend an ACF “train-the-trainer” session to become an ACF trainer at NECI.

NECI is one of the top three culinary schools in the U.S., serving more than 500 students from across the country in a variety of culinary programs. Founded in 1980, NECI has grown from one academic program to seven programs and from one teaching restaurant to several.