By The Culinary Institute of America

President Tim Ryan of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has been selected as one of the 50 most powerful people in the food world for 2016 by The Daily Meal and Nation's Restaurant News (NRN).

Commenting on the honors, Dr. Ryan said, "I am blessed to lead a world-class organization with a rich tradition of excellence and an outstanding team. Together we will continue to push the boundaries of education for food professionals, and in doing so—make a difference in the lives of our students, the industry we serve, and the greater dining public."

Dr. Ryan is a 1977 graduate of the CIA. His unique background includes being a Culinary Olympics champion and Certified Master Chef. He also holds an advanced Ivy League degree, having earned his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ryan has been with the CIA since 1982, when he was recruited to serve on the faculty and develop and run the college's ground-breaking American Bounty Restaurant. He became the CIA's fifth president in 2001.

A profile of Dr. Ryan in The Daily Meal details how the college has thrived under his direction, citing the opening of campuses in Texas and Singapore, the creation of new degree programs, and the development of a brewery in the past few years alone.

"A roster of CIA graduates or former students reads like a history of contemporary American (and occasionally non-American) cuisine," The Daily Meal editors write. "[The CIA] remains the gold standard for serious instruction in the culinary arts, and Ryan just keeps pushing it forward."

A feature about Dr. Ryan in the Nation's Restaurant News special issue says, "Tim Ryan has not only been transforming how the next generation of chefs is educated, but also influencing nearly every aspect of the restaurant industry...Ryan is responsible for driving the sustained excellence, innovation, and growth the CIA has become known for."

NRN editors also note that Dr. Ryan's "thought leadership has positioned the CIA as a leader on important industry issues, such as health and wellness, world flavors, food ethics and sustainability."

About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world's premier culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; bachelor's degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; and executive education through its Food Business School. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu. 

Photo 1: Dr. Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America, with CIA students at the opening of the groundbreaking student dining venue, The Egg, in 2015. Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield. 

Photo 2: Dr. Tim Ryan at a baccalaureate graduation at The Culinary Institute of America. Under his leadership, the college has expanded its bachelor's degree in management, adding six academic concentrations, and launched two new majors—in Culinary Science and Applied Food Studies. Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)