Celebrating Your Achievements

Alumni in the News

Kendall grads are frequently in the news. Let us know if you hear of other Kendall graduates that are making the news.

Read about the news that Joel Hetrick is making.
Chef Jason Paskewitz and managing partner Ryan O'Donnell open Gemini Bistro.
Chef Jody Emer reinvents herself as a personal chef promoting wellness in Chicago's North Shore.
Senior executive chef Patrick Hannan said he is instilling passion for food into his workers. They are trying to change the style of food cooked so everything is not a casserole.
Mike Artlip, director of The School of Culinary Arts has been selected by the Illinois Association of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to receive an honorary membership, based on his contributions to high school culinary arts in Illinois.
Rene Michelena opened La Bettola in 1998. That same year, Michelena was named one of Food & Wine magazine's Top 10 New Chefs in America. Now Rene is the Executive chef at Dolce De Palma Paninoteca in West Palm Beach.
Congratulations to the 2010 James Beard Award Nominees, Kendall alumni Michael White, Mindy Segal and Michelle Gayer-Nicholson.
Jack Evrensel, proprietor of Top Table Group, announced the promotion of David Gunawan to Chef de Cuisine of West Restaurant. "David is a tremendous talent who will provide a fresh focus for West’s kitchen,” said Evrensel. “His philosophy reflects the restaurant’s core values and our ongoing dedication towards providing exemplary fine dining experiences.”

Success Stories

We are so proud of our Kendall Alumni. Send us your success story and we may add it to our web site.

Dhruv Khanna – You’re hired!

Don’t let his young age fool you. At 22, Dhruv Khanna is driven to be the best. When he completed his Swiss diploma at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland as a teenager, he felt it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the international campus and study at Kendall.

Today, he is assistant manager for In-Room Dining at the brand new Trump International Hotel with 339 rooms and 486 condo units.

Read more about Dhruv Khanna

From the first class of culinary BAs to first class food research – Jaime Perry

Jaime Perry definitely believes in doing new things. Perry was in the first Bachelor of Culinary Arts graduating class at Kendall. She graduated in December, 2007, and today is an assistant research chef for Ed Miniat, Inc. in South Holland, Illinois.

“I help to come up with new food products and present them to potential clients,” states Perry. “We do menu items for national restaurant chains, as well as other products that I can’t tell you about, it’s all very confidential,” laughs Perry.

Read more about Jaime Perry

Children always come first with Janet Munday

Janet Munday’s remarkable story began eighteen years ago. That’s when she launched her successful licensed childcare service, Weekdays at Mundays, out of her home in Warrenville, Illinois.  

“It all started when I was looking for childcare for my own children.” Munday explains. “I didn’t like what was being offered. None of the operators had the educational background I wanted for my children. And, there was no way to make sure that the children would be progressing on the right schedule.”

“I took all the negatives that I didn’t like in the childcare facilities and started my own – making sure I turned them all into positive experiences.” she states. “Today I have two employees and fifteen families that I work directly with each day. We have become so popular that there are thirteen additional families on my waiting list.”

Read more about Janet Munday

Stay tuned for Ben Walanka!

For most chefs just being a finalist on Hell’s Kitchen would be a major accomplishment. For Ben Walanka, however, it was just another step in a very dramatic and successful career.

“I enjoy the process of cooking,” explains Walanka. “The mere idea of being able to teach someone to cook is a privilege. Whether it’s at a school or on television, teaching and making it entertaining has turned into my dream job.”

These days, Walanka is a host on the “Big Ten Cookout.” This popular 30-minute pre-game show is broadcast live on the Big Ten Network. “Each week, we join with tailgaters,” notes Walanka. “We taste their dishes and then give them cooking tips – clever ways to better feed their guests.”

Read more about Ben Walanka