Culinary Academy News

IUP Academy of Culinary Arts Programs Receive Exemplary Standing Status by Accrediting Commission

All four programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts have received “exemplary standing” status by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission. This is the highest accreditation standard offered by the Commission.

• 19 September 2023

Tony and Emma Ricupero-Rustic Lodge Scholarship Recipients Selected

Two students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts, Madison Macchia and Samantha Swidowski, have been selected as the 2023 recipients of the Tony and Emma Ricupero-Rustic Lodge Scholarship.

• 14 August 2023

Swidowski and Macchia 2023 Ricupero Scholarship Winners

Second-year culinary students Samantha Swidowski and Madison Macchia were selected as award recipients for the Ricupero Scholarship.

• 20 July 2023

Timeline Advanced for IUP Academy of Culinary Arts Long-Range Plan

Completion of the demolition phase of Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts long-range building plan is targeted for August 2025, four months sooner than originally expected, according to a new timeline from the Department of General Services.

• 22 May 2023

Serian and Stibrik Recipients of Linda Drummond Deabenderfer Scholarship

The Linda Drummond Deabenderfer Scholarship is awarded annually to IUP Academy of Culinary Students to provide financial assistance for their education.

• 22 February 2023

Cooking Up a Career: Arnold Ivey CA’02

Chef Arnold Ivey CA’02 has mixed his passion for food with the talents he learned at the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts to create a distinguished career in the restaurant industry.

• 13 January 2023

Tony and Emma Ricupero-Rustic Lodge Scholarship Recipients Selected

Two students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary arts have been selected as the 2022 recipients of the Tony and Emma Ricupero-Rustic Lodge Scholarship.

• 21 October 2022

2022 Ricupero Scholarship Recipients

The Ricupero scholarship recipients for the 2022 academic year are Emily Shaffer from Curwensville, Pa., and Gabriella Finn from Altoona, Pa.

• 20 July 2022

Additional $1 Million in RACP Funds Released for Academy of Culinary Arts Building Project

On April 22, Rep. Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) and Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) confirmed Indiana University of Pennsylvania will receive a second $1-million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for IUP’s Academy of Culinary Arts building project.

• 25 April 2022

$500,000 in Federal Funding Announced for Culinary Academy Renovations

On Friday, April 15, US Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson announced $500,000 in federal funding for IUP to rebuild and renovate its Academy of Culinary Arts building located in downtown Punxsutawney.

• 19 April 2022

IUP Punxsutawney’s Academy of Culinary Arts Receives $1-Million State Grant to Construct New Educational Facility

Sen. Joe Pittman and Rep. Brian Smith announced Indiana University of Pennsylvania and its Academy of Culinary Arts received a $1-million state grant for a major Jefferson County project to replace a 32-year-old learning facility and improve the educational offerings of IUP Punxsutawney’s acclaimed Culinary Arts program.

• 07 December 2021

IUP Academy of Culinary Arts is Selling Holiday Treat Boxes to Benefit Scholarships

• Mysti Dinger
• 11 November 2021

Culinary Alumna Vargo Making Her Dreams Happen

IUP Academy of Culinary Arts graduates are going places, and some are even going in a food truck! Kala Vargo, a 2019 Culinary Arts alumna, has always dreamed of running her own business and operating a food truck. That dream became a reality in the form of a vintage mobile bar, named Magnolia.

• 29 October 2021

Baking and Pastry Student Receives First Ever Michael Hanni Memorial Scholarship

The Michael Hanni Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of 2013 Culinary alumnus, Michael Hanni.

• 20 September 2021

2021 Ricupero Scholarship Recipients

The Ricupero scholarship recipients for the 2021 academic year are Sean Lynn from Aston, Pa., and Silas Gesser, from Gettysburg, Pa.

• 31 August 2021

Check Out the Culinary Summer Event Series

Register now for first-ever Culinary Academy Summer Event Series, including cooking demonstrations, cook-alongs, learning about financial aid, and chef and student meet and greets. There is something for everyone! 

• 04 May 2021

Check Out the Culinary Academy on WTAJ

The IUP Academy of Culinary Arts, along with Chef Lynn Pike and Chef Hilary DeMane, will be featured on Thursday, April 15, at 4:00 p.m. on WTAJ.

• 12 April 2021

Congressman Thompson Visits Academy of Culinary Arts

On March 29, 2021, the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts was honored to provide a tour to Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson of the fifteenth District of Pennsylvania.

• 01 April 2021

Academy of Culinary Arts One of Top 15 Pastry Schools in US

The IUP Academy of Culinary Arts is recognized nationwide for its high-quality programs in culinary arts and baking and pastry. A recent review of pastry schools in the US has chosen IUP as one of the Top 15 Pastry Schools for 2021.

• 10 February 2021

Academy of Culinary Arts Dean's List, Fall 2020

Students are named to the Dean’s Recognition List for academic excellence at the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts when they achieve a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher.

• 01 February 2021

Register for Academy of Culinary Arts Virtual Visit on Nov. 18

Join the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts for a live, virtual visit on Wednesday, November 18. This event will give you the opportunity to hear about our culinary and baking programs, learn about job placement, student life, and much more! You will also get to ask questions to current students, faculty, and our admissions staff. 

• 16 November 2020

Culinary and Baking Alumna Competes in Food Network's “Holiday Wars”

Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts alumna Baindu Squire ’07, along with her team, will compete on Sunday, November 1, at 8:00 p.m. EST on Food Network’s Holiday Wars.

• 29 October 2020

Academy of Culinary Arts Virtual Event: Saturday, November 7

Register now for the Academy of Culinary Arts live virtual visit on Saturday, November 7, beginning at 11:00 a.m. This event will give you the opportunity to hear about our culinary and baking programs, learn about job placement, student life, and much more

• 28 October 2020

Faculty Member Nutter Wins Chef of the Year Award

Culinary faculty member Chef Andrew Nutter was awarded the 2020 Chef of the Year Award by the Groundhog Chapter of the American Culinary Federation.

• 21 October 2020

Academy of Culinary Arts Virtual Visit on Saturday, October 3

Register now for the Academy of Culinary Arts live virtual visit on Saturday, October 3, beginning at 11:00 a.m. This event will give you the opportunity to hear about our culinary and baking programs, learn about job placement, student life, and much more!  

• 25 September 2020