Michael Chernow, the restaurateur behind The Meatball Shop, wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do with his life. In high school he was a jazz tubist. (No really.) Then he spent two years at Hunter College before realizing it wasn’t a good fit. So he left for California, chasing the dream so many others had before him: to become an actor. That fizzled.

In addition to my library duties, I am the coordinator of our Farm-to-Table program. It’s a personal passion of mine, so taking on this role here at ICC has been a real pleasure.

For over two decades, Chef Toni Lynn Dickinson has been teaching the next generation of pastry chefs, chocolatiers, cake decorators, bakers and more at ICC to excel in their professions. Her pastry creations, both in and out of the kitchen are well-thought out, flawlessly executed and leave a lasting impression for years to come. Just take it from some of her former students — many shared in comments on our recent Instagram posts that she was “fun to learn from,” and a “fantastic teacher.”

This year’s first place winner of The Cookie Games at the International Culinary Center’s New York City campus came from Professional Culinary Arts students. The duo of Madeline Dudek and Clara Lim chose the country of India as their main inspiration for their original cookie recipe.

The International Culinary Center ® will launch their 2016 holiday gingerbread village for an exclusive display at the Museum of Food and Drink. This year’s village, created by ICC Director of Pastry Arts Jansen Chan and student volunteers from the Professional Pastry Arts program, will pay tribute to the historic melting pot of all immigrants in the United States. Beginning Friday, December 9 through Saturday, December 31 (between the hours of 12pm and 6pm) the village will be on display to the public attendees of MOFAD.

It’s that time again, everyone’s favorite contest The Cookie Games will happen on August 4 this year! The Cookie Games is a competition open to all students to develop and produce a cookie inspired by a country. These cookies will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as by the audience to select a fan favorite. Last year’s top winner was Chocolate Cardamom Button by Savita Bhat. Second place went to the team of Julia Johnson & Elena Ubeda who created Lavender and Violet Shortbread cookies. The Nagelkass Cocktail Cookie by Maureen Naff came in third. As you can see, creativity is a major key to success.