Culinary Alumni Profiles

At the Academy of Culinary Arts, we’re very proud of our alumni, who make such an impact on the growth and excellence of our program. Here are just a few of their success stories:

Joy Parham-Thomas '10

Co-Owner, Urban Country Culinary Concepts 
Philadelphia, Pa.

Joy is co-owner of Urban Country Culinary Concepts, a catering company located in Philadelphia, and was a contestant on Season 12 of the Fox hit series Hell's Kitchen. Read more about Chef Parham-Thomas. 

Lindsay McClain (Walsh) '07

Chef de Cuisine, Jamonera
Philadelphia, Pa.

Lindsay is the Chef de Cuisine at Jamonera in Philadelphia, voted one of Philadelphia Magazine's top 50 restaurants in 2013. Lindsay appeared on the Food Network's Chopped, where she competed against three other professional chefs and won!  Read more about Chef McClain.

Julie Mosesso '06

Corporate Executive Pastry Chef
Pittsburgh, Pa.

As the corporate executive pastry chef for the Big Y Group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Julie is responsible for the desserts and pastries in five restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh, including Nola on the Square, Seviche, Perle, Sonoma Grille, and the newest addition, Poros-a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Read more about Chef Mosesso.

Kristin Butterworth '01

Chef de Cuisine, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Farmington, Pa.

Currently the world's only female chef responsible for running a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond restaurant, Kristin is chef de cuisine for Lautrec at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Lautrec is one of only 25 restaurants in the world to hold the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards simultaneously. Read more about Chef Butterworth.

Sean Eckman '00

Executive Chef, Nemacolin Woodlands
Farmington, Pa.

Sean is executive chef at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and is responsible for overseeing dining operations, management of over 200 associates, and menu creation for the resort's award-winning restaurants. Read more about Chef Echman.

Jason Teears '98

Director of Food and Nutrition Services
Morrison Healthcare Food Services, Children's Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jason is responsible for the day-to-day food operations at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, a 306-bed facility. Read more about Chef Teears.

Jeremy Critchfield '93

Chef and Co-Owner, Stone House Inn
Farmington, Pa.

In February of 2012, Jeremy fulfilled his long-time dream of owning and operating his own restaurant by joining the historic Stone House Inn as chef and co-owner. Read more about Chef Critchfield.

Dominique Metcalfe '92

Executive Chef, Levy Restaurants
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dominique is the executive chef for Levy Restaurants at the state-of-the-art David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Chef Metcalfe and her team are responsible for creating all of the cuisine for thousands of guests in the 600,000-square-foot convention center. Read more about Chef Metcalfe.