Last Saturday, New York City carnivores gathered at Meatopia, Josh Ozersky’s famed celebration of all things carnivorous. This celebration of meat joined together over forty-five chefs and half a dozen farmers from all over the country and displayed the most delicious exhibit of meat known to man.

From pulled pork to roasted goat and beef cheeks to sausage, chefs like Nate Appleman of Chipotle served chorizo tostadas and Michael Psilakis with Greek lamb offal, lined Pier 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park for a night that only true meat-lovers could enjoy. ICE Students were also on site to lend a hand to the hungry. And what’s a plate full of meat without something to wash it down? The event also included two Amstel Light Beer gardens! More…

ICE Senior Career Services Advisor Amy Quazza and Director of Career Services Maureen Drum Fagin with Outstanding Chef Award Winner José Andrés

As we welcome spring, food lovers and passionate diners everywhere look forward to the annual James Beard Awards. Celebrated close to the anniversary of James Beard’s birthday in May, the awards are given to the best chefs, restaurants and media in the country. ICE founder Peter Kump helped launch the James Beard Foundation and ICE is proud to maintain close ties to the organization and their hard work to promote and celebrate food in America. The Awards are regarded as the most prestigious awards in the culinary industry, often referred to as the “Oscars” of food.

This year, the awards ceremonies and festivities were spread over the entire weekend as the food world gathered in NYC for a celebration of all things culinary. On Friday night, the foundation held their Book, Broadcast & Journalism Awards, hosted by Ted Allen of Food Network’s Chopped and ICE alum Gail Simmons of Bravo’s Top Chef. In fact, Top Chef, took home the award for best Television Show, In Studio or Fixed Location. ICE alums Dominique Andrews and Marie Ostrosky were also nominated for the second year in a row in the Television Special category. More…

At the end of January, Maxim magazine came to ICE for a special sandwich showdown between top New York City chefs from six hot restaurants. The high-charged and creative chef contestants included Marc Forgione of Restaurant Marc Forgione, Michael Psilakis of FishTag, Michael White of Marea, Ratha Chau and Ben Daitz of Num Pang, Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone of Torrisi Italian Specialties and Sara Jenkins of Porchetta and Porsena.

Each chef came to ICE and prepared their own newly-created ultimate sandwich for a panel of judges including ICE Chef Instructor James Briscione, Maxim editor Maria Fontoura, as well as a surprise celebrity judge from the New York Jets! You’ll have to read the “Battle for the Ultimate Sandwich” article in the April issue of Maxim to find out more! Or go to after the jump to see an awesome video of the chefs working on their sandwiches and the judges tasting them before declaring a winner. More…

Last night, ICE participated in Careers through Culinary Arts Program’s (C-CAP) annual benefit at Pier Sixty on the Chelsea Piers. Over 36 chefs from around NYC came out to support this unique charitable program. C-CAP is designed to encourage high school students who show interest and aptitude in the culinary arts to turn their young passion into a long-term career. ICE President Rick Smilow is on the program’s board of directors.

Maurice DuBois of CBS served as the evening’s emcee, introducing President/Founder of C-CAP Richard Grausman who spoke about C-CAP’s mission to provide culinary employment opportunities for youth. After Grausman, the event’s honoree, Michael Lomonaco gave an inspiring speech about life in the industry. Lomonaco has worked in many of New York’s top restaurants, including Le Cirque, Windows on the World and Wild Blue. Now, he heads up the kitchen at Porter House New York. He has also appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, Travel Channel and Food Network and contributed to numerous publications such as Gourmet, Food & Wine, New York Times and Travel & Leisure. His support of C-CAP dates back to his time at the 21 Club and Windows on the World, where he hosted Awards Breakfasts where C-CAP students are awarded culinary scholarships. More…