Alton Brown Wishes Neci Graduating Class Good Luck And Good Eats

Star Alum Returns to Alma Mater as Commencement Speaker

As the New England Culinary Institute's (NECI) graduating classes are honored with diplomas on Saturday, June 3, 2006, one of the school's most renowned alumni will be present to impart the blend of wit and wisdom familiar to his TV audience. Alton Brown, the award-winning host of the Food Network's Good Eats, graduated from NECI's Culinary Arts Program in 1997 and will return as keynote speaker at next month's graduation ceremony to be held at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt.

"It is always an honor to be asked back to NECI," says Brown. "Especially to give the keynote address to the graduates of both the Essex and Montpelier campuses-the first time that's ever happened, I hear. I do love playing to a big house!"

The 10:00 a.m. graduation prelude and procession will be followed by an introduction by Francis Voigt, NECI's co-founder and chief executive officer. Other speakers will include Jason Gingold, chair of the Associate's degree program in Baking and Pastry Arts; Dr. Mika Nash-Gibney, chair of the Associate's and Bachelor's degree programs in Food and Beverage Management; Lyndon Virkler, dean of culinary affairs; and student representatives who will take the opportunity to address their peers. Dr. Howard Fisher, dean of academic affairs, will oversee the presentation of awards.

"Alton's success represents all that can be achieved with a NECI degree, and that's a very uplifting realization for our graduates as they move forward with their careers," says Julie Hendrickson, NECI's chief operating officer. "It's an exciting time for myself and NECI staff as we send our graduates off to tackle the next step of their culinary aspirations." Many NECI alums go on to become award-winning international culinary competitors, entrepreneurs and celebrity chefs.

A reception will follow the ceremony where friends, family and faculty will gather to congratulate recipients of Certificates in Basic Cooking, Certificates in Baking, Certificate in Pastry, Associates of Occupational Studies in Baking and Pastry Arts, Associates of Occupation Studies in Culinary Arts, Associates of Occupational Studies in Food and Beverage Management, and Bachelors of Arts in Food and Beverage Management.

Media are invited to attend the graduation festivities and tour the school; please contact Jo Lipstadt at 617.577.8098 or jo@civettacom.com.

About New England Culinary Institute
New England Culinary Institute (NECI) was founded in 1980 with a unique educational model featuring "learn-it-by-living-it" training in real-life situations. The school, which has grown to three campuses-two in Vermont and one in Tortola, B.V.I.-produces highly qualified chefs, managers, culinary professionals and industry leaders. Recognized for its innovative immersion style, NECI is known for its low student-to-teacher ratio and for providing personal and focused hands-on education. NECI offers a bachelor's degree in hospitality and restaurant management; associate's degrees in culinary arts, hospitality and restaurant management, and baking and pastry arts; certificates in basic cooking, baking, and pastry arts, as well as a host of non-professional cooking programs. Also known for its fine dining and catering, the school operates diverse foodservice outlets that serve the public daily. Visit www.neci.edu for more information.