Craig Matthews
It was a different type of hat and gown for 33 Atlantic Cape Community College Academy of Culinary Arts students who marked the completion of their first year at the fourth annual Coat and Toque Ceremony.
“We are here today to acknowledge an important milestone in your educational journey," Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Barbara Gaba said during the ceremony Thursday at the Mays Landing campus.
"It symbolizes the progress you've made and it will remind you of what you are working towards to accomplish as the days go forward,” she said. “Reaching this milestone is a significant accomplishment that demonstrates your hard work, dedication and focus. By keeping up the hard work, you can achieve many things. Those who obtain the credentials from this nationally respected culinary academy will be well prepared for their career of choice and will have many doors open to you.”
The ACA started the toque ceremony in 2022, as a way to honor students who have successfully completed their first year of culinary studies. The embroidered chef’s coat and white chef’s toque distinguish them as second-year students and rising leaders with the ACA.
The class includes four Cape May County residents: one from Sea Isle City, one from Wildwood Crest, one from Rio Grande and one from Ocean View.
It also includes nine Atlantic County residents: three from Egg Harbor Township, two from Mays Landing and one each from Absecon, Atlantic City, Galloway Township and Pleasantville.
Chef Joseph Sheridan, director of the ACA and Hospitality, spoke of the importance and history of the chef’s coat and toque, and why each student should wear them both with pride.
“The chef’s toque has long been a symbol of the culinary profession and has a history that dates back to the 16th century,” he said. “It is said that the toque’s height represented rank in the kitchen, with the taller hats worn by higher-ranking chefs. The pleats represented a chef's level of expertise, symbolizing the number of ways a chef could prepare an egg.”
Baking & Pastry student and Stratford resident Kaitlynn O’Keefe is grateful to reach this milestone in her journey.
“Receiving the ceremonial coat and toque means it’s another step in my journey. It's taken a lot of decisions to come here and find my true path, which I have and enjoy doing. It's a reminder that everyone else is here doing the same thing and that I just want to keep doing my own thing and hopefully it works out,” said O’Keefe, who eventually want to open her own bakery that specializes in artisan breads and pastries.
Culinary student and Wildwood Crest resident Vincenzo Daniels has big plans down the road after he graduates from the ACA.
“This ceremony means to me that I am improving with every step I make. I know that I am going to see a brighter light in the future in the culinary industry,” said Daniels, who is currently a prep and catering chef at the Washington Inn in Cape May. “For now, I want to stick with the job I have [at the Washington Inn and keep on improving maybe with them for five years and maybe even open a restaurant one day.”
Students who received their second-year chef’s coat and toque were:
Baking & Pastry
Culinary
Chef Sheridan left the 33 baking & pastry and culinary students with an important reminder.
“With this recognition comes responsibility. Your new uniform sets you apart from your first-year peers, marking you as an experienced student and a professional. It is our hope and my expectation that you will hold yourself to a higher standard each day and aspire to be a role model and mentor for your fellow first-year students,” Sheridan said. “The faculty, administration and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your dedication and hard work. Your achievement fills us with pride. This recognition celebrates your achievements and hopefully inspires our first-year students to continue their own journeys toward their degree.”
Go online for more information on Atlantic Cape’s Academy of Culinary Arts program.
