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Our Scholars
Click on the gallery below to learn more about our incredible scholars and how the Foundation has transformed their lives! We feel privileged to have supported their journeys and are oh so proud of their accomplishments.
Dominique Campbell
Our first scholar, Dominique Campbell, graduated in 2006, worked at Walt Disney World, returned to the CIA for her B.A. degree (’09) and works as a pastry chef at Citifield.
Melissa Montalbano
Our next scholar, Melissa Montalbano, graduated in ’08, worked at Olana in New York City and, in addition to spending time with her young sons, has a private cake baking business.
Santo Saitta
Santo Saitta graduated in April ’10, worked at Pasticceria Bruno and at Daniel Boulud's Boulud Sud. He competed in the Junior Pastry World Cup in Rimini, Italy, finishing fifth in the world! He currently runs Patrizia Restaurant in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Jessie Kuznitz
Jessie Kuznitz graduated in January 2014, continued at the CIA to complete her B.A., graduated Summa cum Laude. She and her husband had a baby boy last September!
Sara Montesdeoca
Sara Montesdeoca graduated from the CIA in 2016, and had a baby girl in Dec '22, and is currently working at Radio Bakery in Brooklyn
Nicole Carlini
Nicole Carlini graduated from The CIA in 2018, worked at Dominique Ansel Bakery (birthplace of the Cro-nut!) and is currently working at Hudson Valley Foies Gras.
Jahqyad Austin
Jahqyad Austin graduated from the CIA after spending his externship at Eleven Madison Park. He has also worked with Daniel Boulud, and was just selected to be one of three C-CAP Alums to be a James Beard Fellow, starting a 10 week Residency at The James Beard House in NYC.
Check him out at https://jahqyadaustin.wixsite.com/cheftobe
Check him out at https://jahqyadaustin.wixsite.com/cheftobe
Leslie Villalva
Leslie Villalva, our 2020 Scholarship recipient graduated from the CIA in 2022 and is currently working on a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management, while also working at Gui Steakhouse in NYC
Reece Orakwue
Our 9th scholar, Reece Orakwue is graduated from the CIA in August and is staying at the CIA to get her B.A.
C-CAP Founder Richard Grausman
Here's David and Jordon at the 2022 C-CAP Benefit with C-CAP Founder RICHARD GRAUSMAN, along with RFF Scholarship recipients Jahqyad Austin and Leslie Villalva
Arianna Valentino
Arianna is our 10th CCAP Scholarship recipient, and she recently began her studies at the CIA in Fall '24. We can't wait to see what she does next!
Alyssa Dubrow
Alyssa Dubrow, one of our CIA Endowed Scholarship recipients, graduated from the CIA in the fall, and is currently working at The Continental Midtown in Philadelphia.
Sydney Hamer
One of this year’s scholarship recipients is Sydney Hamer, whose journey to the CIA embodies resilience and determination. Sydney is now empowered to pursue her passion without the burden of financial hardship, carving her path toward graduation in 2025.
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