Norfolk, VA – Internationally-renowned chef, author, and TV Host Jerome “Chef Rome” Brown has graciously accepted an invitation to deliver the 2016 commencement address at Culinary Institute of Virginia’s 2016 graduation. The ceremony is scheduled for 5:00 pm on Friday, May 13 at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, located in Virginia Beach’s Town Center.
Chef Rome’s career began as a teenager, working at Gardner’s BBQ in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was a quick study and had the ability to master any dish with the greatest of ease. All it took was a single lesson or a taste of a dish and he could recreate it to perfection.
From there, it was on to the U.S. Army where he proudly served his country and fellow soldiers in the kitchen. After that, he began working at fine dining establishments and even beat out 400 other applicants for the opportunity to work at Walt Disney World Resort.
In 2000, Chef Rome created Chef to the Stars, a chef placement service that has successfully placed more than 75 highly-skilled chefs in celebrity homes. Chef Rome himself has cooked for Shaquille O’Neal, General Colin Powell, Priscilla Presley, Star Jones, and Olympic Medalist Nancy Kerrigan, among others. He describes his style of cooking as “Southern Meets Gourmet.”
In 2011, Chef Rome was cast in the premiere season of Food Network’s reality show “Extreme Chef” and later that year, appeared in the US Army series “I’ve Got Skills” that aired on ESPN. He is often called up to share his expertise and participate in the national dialogue on popular health and lifestyle topics ranging from energy boosting foods to cooking techniques to how to set a table.
Nearly 200 graduates will be participating in the 2016 commencement ceremony, receiving degrees in Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts and Applied Nutrition, and Food Service Management. For more information, please contact ECPI University Director of Marketing at 757.490.9090 or publicrelations@ecpi.edu.
About ECPI University
ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate's, baccalaureate, and master's degrees and diplomas. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. A private university founded in 1966, ECPI University has campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, and offers convenient classes during the day, evening, and online; graduate employment services, continuing education, certification classes, and testing are also available.
On campus or online, fields of study include: HEALTH SCIENCES: Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing (RN to BSN), BS to BSN, Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Radiography, Sonography, Surgical Technology; TECHNOLOGY: Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Cyber and Network Security, Information Systems, Software Development, Cloud Computing, Web Development, Database Programming, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology; BUSINESS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting, Business Administration, IT Management, Hospitality Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security; CULINARY: Culinary Arts, Culinary Nutrition, Food Service Management, Baking and Pastry Arts. (Program field availability varies by campus.) For more information, visit www.ecpi.edu.
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