Meet the ICE Admissions Staff

Director of Admissions

Hillery grew up traveling around the world. Once stateside again, she graduated from the University of Missouri and started working as an assistant to the ICE admissions team in 2009. She has since been promoted to Director of Admissions and works directly with students to help them realize their culinary dreams. “My culinary voice is an echo. Students that come to me are eager to start their training and absorb all the information and techniques they can," Hillery says. "From there, I spend time visiting the restaurants where they extern and work to enjoy their creations. As Director of Admissions, it's up to me to help students find the program and classes that are a good fit for them, so they're able to experience and learn everything the instructors have to offer, and then filter it through their own lens as they move forward to have full careers as chefs, pastry chefs and restaurateurs.”

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Fred has been working at ICE for over 14 years. Even before that, he has been an integral member of admissions teams for various schools. Originally, Fred trained to be an aircraft technician and worked as a sample cutter for a menswear company. His experience in fashion led him to the admissions team for a private fashion design school in New York City. Today, Fred is glad that his career led him to the culinary world, where he can explore his culinary voice. He says, “With my Italian background, I would say family is a big part of my culinary voice. Food tastes so much better when it's prepared and enjoyed as a family.” When working with students, Fred helps them get started in exploring their culinary voice by talking about how food is the great common ground that brings us together — “I help them realize that food will help build bridges here at home and across the rest of the world.”

Associate Director of Admissions

The culinary world is in Jock Grundy’s blood. His father was the comptroller at the legendary Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Street in the Garden District of New Orleans, where Jock would watch the Mardi Gras parades roll by. In 1982, Jock landed his first bartending gig at The Sheraton on Canal Street in The French Quarter. Following his musical ambitions, he moved to San Francisco and landed a job at the Marriott on Columbus and Bay in Fisherman’s Wharf. Soon after, New York City was calling Jock's name and he’s been here ever since — eating his way through every neighborhood. Jock has been working in culinary education for more than 15 years, helping students realize their culinary dreams. “My wife has worked in the industry as a copy chief for a food magazine – we are a food power couple!"

Associate Director of Admissions

Ron is a graduate of Pratt Institute with sales and creative recruitment experience and worked at Everest Institute as a senior admissions recruiter for more than four years before joining ICE. “Working in Admissions has been a very exciting experience," he says. "It’s a great feeling to be able to help students shape and determine the details of their career path. It’s also a great feeling to have students reach out and share great stories about their externships and experiences networking in the field. What is most rewarding is seeing each student complete their program, graduate, get hired and start living their dreams. My intention is to be an integral part of that process for the student and to help those with a passion for culinary arts find their culinary voice."

Admissions Representative

Adam has been a part of the culinary industry for more than 20 years, from finding his passion as a short order cook all the way to Europe. He worked at some of the top restaurants in New York City and Southern Connecticut and spent time as a culinary instructor. Adam understands the importance of proper training and enjoys helping students start the journey that has given him so much. He has a young family and enjoys traveling, dining and spending time with family and friends. 

Admissions Representative

Margarita has worked in higher education for the last 15 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing management and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Baruch College. Margarita began in student affairs as an academic advisor/coordinator and in the admissions department at two schools before joining ICE in 2018. "It’s great to be part of a process that will help people pursue an interest that they love, provide the necessary training and gain the skills to help them be successful in the industry," she says. "It’s very rewarding to see your students graduate, as they embark on their new careers." She loves spending time with her family and friends, and traveling and learning about different cultures while trying wonderful food.

Admissions Representative

John began cooking in pizzerias in Newark, New Jersey, at the age of 16. In 1990, he began his 30-year career in culinary education at the New York Restaurant School. "I've had the honor of getting to know some of the top master chefs in the world such as Jacques Pepin and Andre Soltner," John says of his time at the International Culinary Center before coming to ICE in 2020. "My culinary voice is: I love seeing student’s graduate and soar to great heights in the culinary world!"

Cat’s love of food started with her large Brazilian-Italian family and eventually led her to joining the Culinary Arts program here at ICE. Cat spent the majority of her professional life working in all aspects of the food and beverage industry, from bartending and managing restaurants to cooking and event coordination at some of the best restaurants and venues in the NYC area. We are lucky to have Cat’s industry experience and enthusiasm on our admissions team! Her appreciation for all aspects of the hospitality industry are put to good use as she helps the next generation of ICE students form a vision of how they can use their passion out in the world after graduation.

A graduate of Wagner College with a BA in speech and theatre, Samantha pursued performing opportunities off Broadway and internationally, eventually finding herself in the world of event planning and educational cooking. A stint hosting recreational cooking classes brought her love of theatre and presenting together with her love of all things food and beverage. From there, she was inspired to join the ICE team and start helping prospective students find their way into the right program and then off into the world of hospitality and food. Here at the ICE campus, Samantha puts her self-appointed title of ‘professional taster’ to good use, and of course, visiting ICE graduates is the best excuse to engage in her favorite pastime of trying new restaurants!

A native of Houston, Texas, Adrianne joined our admissions team after a long tenure in luxury home supplies, so she is very familiar with the ins and outs of building a kitchen. But it was her passion for food, beverage and the hospitality field that brought her to ICE. Knowing the restaurant life wasn’t for her, Adrianne has turned her passion toward helping fellow food enthusiasts find their way by working with prospective students to discover what programs fit their interests and goals. You can find Adrianne in the admissions office at our NYC campus, or in her local wine shop, always eagerly learning about trends, special varietals and what makes the perfect pairing.