Weâre thrilled to welcome Christina Grdovic as the new Executive Director of Culinary Careers Program! đâ
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Christina brings a wealth of experience in building and nurturing high-impact business partnerships across food, hospitality, and media. She served as Head of Partnerships and Content at @wonder , where she attracted celebrity chefs and renowned restaurant partners and established a leading content studio for chef and restaurant media. Previously, as Publisher of @foodandwine , she led sales and marketing efforts, orchestrated global food and wine festivals, and launched the Top Chef partnership with @bravotv . She also served as Chief Partnership Officer at @goldbelly and, most recently, has been advising female-founded start-ups on business development.â
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âCâ˘CAP represents everything I value about this industry: creativity, community, and the power of opportunityâŚI am thrilled to step into this role.â â Christinaâ
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As she steps into this role, Jennifer Solomon has been named Chief Business Officer, strengthening Câ˘CAPâs leadership as we continue expanding access to culinary education and career pathways nationwide.â
Please join us in welcoming Christina to the Câ˘CAP family.â
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đ Link in bio to read the full announcement.â
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#CulinaryCareersProgramâ
#FoodAndHospitalityâ
#NonprofitLeadershipâ
Do you know who is always the life of the party? The one and only Jacques PĂŠpin! And in 90 days, the legend will be turning 90. To celebrate, why not host a dinner party in Jacquesâ honor? @JacquesPepinFoundation has everything you need to get the ball rolling (link in their bio). PĂŠpin-style champagne shower optional â but highly recommended. đ đ§âđłđžđĽ #celebratejacques #countdownto90
Many years since Iâve been back to the homeland, and first time without my Dad. This is the house he grew up in and 5 generations of Grdovic families have lived here - Nikola, Bozo, Josip, Ruza and so many more. It was beautiful and wonderful and emotional and hasnât changed much in the many years Iâve been visiting. Happily ZADAR is prettier and more vibrant than ever. Aunt Laura made her famous gnocchi for lunch and cheesecake for dessert and her garden is as gorgeous as ever, with, of course, the healthiest fig tree in town. Uncle Kresho would have been proud that we traveled by boat and stopped in the Kornati Islands and had an epic lunch @restoranmare . Until next time âď¸ đ đ đ¤
#croatia #zadar #homeland #family #vacation #kornati #restaurantmare
I attended a benefit for the Culinary Careers Program, and it was such an inspiring experience.
CCAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people build successful careers in the food and hospitality industry. What makes this program so impactful is that it starts earlyâworking directly with high school students, especially in underserved communities, to introduce them to real opportunities they may not otherwise have access to.
Through hands-on culinary training, mentorship from industry professionals, and internship placements, students gain real-world experience while still in school. CCAP also provides major scholarships to support students pursuing college or culinary education, helping remove financial barriers that often stand in the way.
More than just a program, CCAP creates a pathway. It gives students the tools, guidance, and confidence to grow long-term careers in the culinary world. Being in a space that uplifts and invests in the next generation of chefs and industry leaders was truly powerful.
#explorepage⨠#fyp #nycfoodie #nyclifestyle #nyc
1993 is calling and they want my shirt back!
There are very few programs that truly understand what the kitchen teachesâand even fewer that know how to translate those lessons into life. Thatâs why I believe so deeply in Careers through Culinary Arts Program.
C-CAP isnât just about cooking. Itâs about discipline. Itâs about showing up early, staying late, and learning that consistency beats talent when talent doesnât work hard. Itâs about understanding that excellence is built one repetition at a timeâjust like in a professional kitchen, just like in real estate, just like in life. For so many young people, this program isnât an extracurricularâitâs a lifeline, a direction, a belief that they belong in the room.
That vision started with Richard Grausman, who saw something most people missed: that the culinary world could be a gateway, not just a trade. He built a system that gives students access, mentorship, scholarships, and real opportunityâturning raw passion into real careers. Thatâs not easy to do. Thatâs legacy work.
And then there are the people who carry that mission forward every single dayâlike Christina Grdovic. Leadership like that matters. Because programs donât stay impactful on their ownâthey need people who protect the culture, evolve the vision, and continue to open doors for the next generation. Thatâs exactly whatâs happening here.
From my perspective, having spent decades in kitchens before stepping into real estate, Iâve seen firsthand what this industry can do for someone. It teaches accountability. It teaches resilience. It teaches how to perform under pressure when nobody cares how you feelâthey care about the result. And if you can handle that, you can handle anything.
Thatâs why C-CAP matters.
Because itâs not just creating chefs.
Itâs creating people who know how to show up, deliver, and build a life with purpose.
On April 13, 2026, join us at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers for the 2026 Câ˘CAP National Benefit, an unforgettable evening celebrating our students, alumni, and programs! đĽ Weâre proud to honor Chintan Pandya, James Beard Awardâwinning chef and partner of Unapologetic Foods, and to be chaired by restaurateur Roni Mazumdar, CEO of Unapologetic Foods.
Look forward to:
â¨A progressive tasting by 30+ acclaimed restaurants
â¨Student & alumni stories
â¨Live + silent auction
đď¸ Early bird tickets are live for a limited time! Use code FUTURECHEFS at checkout.
Every ticket supports culinary education and career pathways for more than 25,000 students nationwide each year. đ Link in bio to join us.
#CCAPBenefit
#CulinaryCareersProgram
Sending love to Anneâs family, friends and fans. So many Food & Wine festivals and parties, and she connected with people in the most genuine, sincere and joyful way. Amazing reminder to love your people and your life, and dance every chance you get. Big Nonia and Big Mabel will miss you. #snailedit đ
The FWamily (@foodandwine family) is always looking for an excuse to be together and no better reason than to celebrate our hero and mentor Jacques Pepin by hosting a @jacquespepinfoundation Home Cook Campaign for his 90th Birthday.
Did you know that Chef eats 7 gin-soaked raisins a day? Thanks @roryt . We toasted with @lacaravellechampagne (the painting behind @anthonygiglio is a Jacques original.) We enjoyed signature Roast Chicken by @playbaltz , Warm Potato Salad, Asparagus Mimosa (Ă la @gailsimmonseats ) and finished with @seequinlan âs take on pound cake with lemon mousse, and thanks to @vegasocial for sourcing the croquembouche from @brooklynfrenchbakers_
Youâve heard the term WWJD? Well, at F&W we used to say it stood for âWhat would Jacques do?â Because if you know the answer, you will always do the right thing. He is generous in a way that is unprecedented - with his time and talent and ideas.
We salute you Jacques and celebrate your 90 years of inspiration! Also including some favorite throwbacks to Jacquesâ 80th at the Top of the Mountain. đ đ§âđł đď¸ đž đĽ đ§ â¤ď¸
