ICE graduates, Shant Halajian, Mary Attea and Shenarri Freeman

ICE Graduates in the News: September 2024

Sean is a freelance writer at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), combining his passion for food with his storytelling expertise. An outdoor enthusiast interested in adventure writing, he enjoys exploring new recipes, visiting local markets, and experiencing culinary diversity in New York City.

September 16, 2024

Three Institute of Culinary Education alumni are making waves this month with high-profile achievements in the culinary world, demonstrating that hard work and dedication to the craft can lead to prestigious recognition in the restaurant industry.

Shant Halajian, an ICE Los Angeles graduate and Corporate Executive Chef for DreamHost in California, recently announced on Instagram that he will compete in the upcoming 23rd season of the TV show "Hell’s Kitchen" on FOX. The first episode of the season airs on September 26.

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A post shared by Shant Halajian (@therealchefshant)

Chef Shant’s journey has been impressive, having previously served as the Executive Chef of the Glenmark Hotel in Glendale, where he oversaw two distinct restaurants: Olia, which offered breakfast and Italian dinners, and MYA, a rooftop restaurant inspired by Japanese cuisine. His versatility in managing different culinary styles has garnered attention, and now he will take his talents to the national stage.

Meanwhile, Mary Attea, an NYC ICE graduate and Executive Chef of both Rafs and the Michelin-starred The Musket Room, has been named one of "Food & Wine" magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2024.

ICE alumna Mary Attea, a brown-haired woman, smiles — ICE graduate Mary Attea.

This esteemed recognition adds to her growing list of accolades, including her 2023 nomination for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York State. Chef Mary is known for her modern approach to Middle Eastern cuisine, and her ability to bring thoughtful, innovative dishes to her restaurants.

Read about Chef Mary on The New York Times’ 100 Best NYC Restaurants list

Finally, Shenarri Freeman, also an ICE NYC graduate and Executive Chef at the renowned vegan soul food restaurant Cadence in New York City and Ubuntu in Los Angeles, has been featured on the cover of the August 2024 issue of "Nation’s Restaurant News," a magazine serving the culinary industry.

ICE graduate Chef Shenarri Freeman, a woman with black hair in a braid wearing a black chef's coat, smiles in front of a floral wallpaper background — Chef Shenarri on the cover of "Nation's Restaurant News."

A graduate of ICE's Plant-Based Culinary Arts program (formerly known as Health-Supportive Culinary Arts), Chef Shenarri is celebrated for her inventive plant-based renditions of African, Caribbean, and Southern dishes, which have helped position Cadence as a leader in NYC vegan cuisine.

Ubuntu opened in 2023 under Overthrow Hospitality group, the same restaurant group that serves Cadence. The cover story Chef Shenarri is featured in lists the most influential restaurant groups shaping the American culinary scene, one of which is Overthrow Hospitality. Chef Shenarri's creative approach continues to attract diners eager for a soulful, health-conscious dining experience.

Try Chef Shenarri's Recipe:Stuffed Collard Green Wraps