The New England Culinary Institute’s (NECI) Baking and Pastry Department chair, Chef Michael Rhoads, was awarded a silver medal the prestigious “Salon of Culinary Art” competition held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City in November 2012.

The “Salon of Culinary Art,” organized by the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, is presented each year during the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. The salon welcomes competitors from around the world who showcase their skills using traditional and modern techniques to present current trends in the culinary world.

“Chef Michael’s showing at this important culinary competition is a monumental win, for him and for NECI,” said Chef Jean-Louis Gerin, the school’s vice president of culinary operations and executive chef. “The competition couldn’t be harder, and Chef Michael’s silver-place trophy demonstrates his exceptional skill.”

The Société Culinaire Philanthropique is one of the oldest chefs associations in the United States. Founded in 1865, it regroups chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, bakers and butchers, including some of America's most famous chefs. This year marked the 144th Annual Salon of Culinary Art competition.