Movin’ On Up!

by Levi Briggs, September 20, 2018

For the last two years, I’ve been working to complete my Bachelor’s in Business and I am only two classes away from reaching this goal.  I attended Kendall College straight out of high school fifteen years ago and received my Associates in Culinary Arts.  My experience the first time around was such an incredible experience and opened so many professional doors that I didn’t think twice about where I should go to further my degree!

As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I have had the honor of holding the position of executive chef in some incredible farm-to-table concepts in Baltimore and was the consultant chef (then ultimately the executive chef) of Baltimore’s first LEED certified green hotel/restaurant.  For the last four years, I have been the executive chef of York College in York, PA.  The culinary training I received at Kendall was exceptional and I owe so much of my professional career to my education.  And now I am about to begin a new chapter in my life!

Last month I was offered the position of executive chef at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.  The school is twice as big as York and has an incredible food program.  CMU has a program called “Nourish” and it is an innovative allergen-free kitchen, featuring a menu prepared without the 8 major food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat).  The menu is also gluten-free.  The university spent over $250,000 million to build the facility and the foods that are made in it are prepared as “grab-and-go” meals.  The kitchen reminds me of a hospital facility because I have to suit up with protective clothing before entering and only a handful of personnel are allowed access.  These policies demonstrate the serious nature food allergens can be and the lengths CMU will go in order to protect the students and staff who are at risk.

Nourish is only one aspect of the dining program at CMU.  My dedication to keeping food as sustainable as possible is in line with the university’s philosophy.  I am looking forward to my new position and am confident both my degrees from Kendall have helped prepare me for my career!