Jones Dairy Farm Awards Latest CIA Scholarships

9/25/2008 12:00:00 AM

FORT ATKINSON, Wis., (Sept. 25, 2008) -  Culinary Institute of America (CIA) students Lance Nitahara and Bryan Kozlowski are the two most recent recipients of The Jones Dairy Farm Scholarship Fund at the CIA, said Philip Jones, sixth-generation president of Jones Dairy Farm and a professionally trained chef.

Established in May 2006, the Jones Dairy Farm Scholarship Fund supports three scholarships each year.  CIA juniors and seniors pursuing baccalaureate degrees in Culinary Arts Management can apply for the scholarship by submitting a short essay and original recipe using a Jones’ product.  In honor of the scholarship endowment, the CIA renamed the Breakfast Cookery kitchen the “Jones Dairy Farm Kitchen” where both Breakfast and Lunch Cookery courses at the CIA are held.  More information about the program is available by visiting www.jonesdairyfarm.com.

For most college students, graduating with a degree is a noteworthy accomplishment.  However, Wahiawa, Hawaii-native Lance Nitahara plans to leave the CIA in November with a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degree as well as a fistful of professional certifications including that of a Certified Pastry Culinarian, Certified Chef De Cuisine/PCII and the prestigious Certified Executive Chef, a designation he recently earned from the American Culinary Federation after a rigorous four-day testing process.

Nitahara came to the CIA already having earned an Associates degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of the Pacific.  A grueling CIA externship at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV, placed him in a position normally reserved for The Greenbrier’s world-famous apprenticeship program.  The experience also gave him skills in Olympic-style cold food display work he later parlayed into first place medals at International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York.  With the help of the CIA, Nitahara was able to enter his own platters into the Salon of Culinary Art, a showcase of Master Chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, butchers, culinarians and apprentices from around the world competing in a multitude of categories.
 
During his CIA experience Bryan Kozlowski, a Pompano Beach, Fla.-native, has excelled at every level.  Graduating with an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree in May 2007, Kozlowski received the President's Award for having the highest GPA of his class and the Management Award for his performance in management focused courses.  After completing his AOS degree, Kozlowski interned at Saveur Magazine where he assisted the editorial staff with recipe development and testing, photo shoots and research.  A member of Eta Sigma Delta, the school’s honor society, Kozlowski is currently enrolled in the CIA’s Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degree program and is expected to graduate this November. 

Upon completion of his course work at the CIA, Kozlowski hopes to return to the publishing world, possibly in the test kitchen or editorial staff of a national consumer magazine.  Kozlowski would also consider freelance journalism, incorporating his love of traveling and writing about the food cultures of both near and distant places.  Finally, a lover of cookbooks as a youth, Kozlowski can see himself providing the next generation of cooks with another book that makes cooking fun and rewarding and turns the kitchen into a place where magic happens.

"We salute the hard work and dedication Lance and Bryan have exhibited during their CIA experience and anticipate following both careers post graduation," said Jones.  “Like Jones Dairy Farm, the CIA is committed to the advancement of the foodservice industry by setting the ultimate standard of excellence.  It’s this high level of achievement that excites us about awarding the Jones’ scholarships to other worthy students for years to come.”

Jones Dairy Farm products offer the old-fashioned quality and flavor one would expect from a family owned company that’s been around for almost 120 years.  Although best known for all natural breakfast sausage, Jones Dairy Farm also offers foodservice operators double cherrywood naturally smoked hams and Canadian bacon, hickory and cherrywood smoked bacon and more.  Family owned and operated since 1889, Jones Dairy Farm is committed to the same fundamental principals today as when the company was founded six generations ago. 

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as certificate programs, in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA has a network of more than 37,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Cat Cora, Harold Dieterle, Steve Ells, Todd English, Duff Goldman, Sara Moulton, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The college has campuses in New York (Hyde Park), California (The CIA at Greystone, St. Helena), and Texas (San Antonio), as well as an additional location in New York City (Astor Center, Manhattan). In addition to its degree programs, the CIA also offers courses for professionals and food enthusiasts, as well as wine education. For more information, and a complete listing of program offerings at each site, visit the CIA online at www.ciachef.edu.

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