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Tom Costello, director of the Hospitality Management Program, was honored for his contributions to the Bay Area’s culinary industry.
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Culinary Award Honors USF Hospitality Director
“You’ve got to be kidding” was Tom Costello’s reaction when he was told he had been awarded the prestigious Antonin Carême Medal from the Chef’s Association of the Pacific Coast. Past recipients include such renowned chefs as Julia Child and Martin Yan.
The medal recognizes Costello’s outstanding contributions to culinary education, particularly his establishment of the culinary and foodservice program at USF. “People have heard great things (about the program),” Costello said. “This industry is like a small little world: people talk, and it’s created a buzz.”
Costello said the award recognizes the hospitality program as much as it recognizes him. “This award is about the students and the program—that’s the only reason I’m getting anything. I’m in a position to help them be successful, but I give them a lot of credit. My biggest joy in teaching is being able to go out into the industry and see our students at work. My students are both my customers and my best product.”
Two of his “products” are restaurateurs Scott Silva ’92 and Jeff Mall ’93, co-owners of Zin Restaurant and Wine Bar in Healdsburg. Silva said it’s because of his USF training that he is a success today.
“I learned pretty much everything I needed to know to start my own business,” Silva said. “It really prepared me well. (One of our employees), Margaret Lease, is in the program now. She was already outstanding but students really come out of that program at the highest caliber because it’s so thorough.”
The Antonin Carême Medal presentation dinner will be Nov. 10 at the Carnelian Room in San Francisco.
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