Culinary Institute of America Honors Alumni with Walk of Fame

Hyde Park, New York — On October 8, 2025, the Culinary Institute of America established a ‘walk of fame’ on its campus in Hyde Park, New York, recognizing 21 alumni for their contributions to the food, beverage, and hospitality industries and honoring Dallas chef Dean Fearing among the inaugural group.

Key facts

21 alumni were recognized with a star for their contributions to the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Dallas chef Dean Fearing was honored and is referred to as the ‘father of Southwestern cuisine’. Fearing trained at the Culinary Institute of America in the late 1970s. He is the chef-owner of Fearing’s, a restaurant located in the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Dallas.

Event details and selection

The Culinary Institute of America’s board of trustees selected the honorees for their profound impact in their culinary fields. The new ‘walk of fame’ is installed outside the Tim Ryan Student Commons on the Culinary Institute’s campus. Visitors can view the walk of fame outside the Tim Ryan Student Commons on the Culinary Institute’s campus. Future stars will be added to the walk of fame annually.

Why Dean Fearing was honored

Fearing has a notable history at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and is also a cookbook author and television personality. His induction highlighted a career that includes work at prominent Dallas establishments and a continued public presence through cookbooks and television. His signature dishes include tortilla soup, barbecue glazed quail, maple-peppercorn buffalo, and chicken-fried lobster. The event was described as a reunion for Fearing and his fellow chefs who have been cooking across the globe.

Remarks and themes

During his speech, Fearing reflected on how his cohort at the institute broke traditional French culinary molds to shape American cuisine. Fearing’s induction celebrated American cuisine and the legacy of his fellow honorees.

Visitor information

The ‘walk of fame’ is publicly accessible on the Culinary Institute’s Hyde Park campus, positioned outside the Tim Ryan Student Commons for visitors and students. Future additions are planned on an annual basis, with the institute indicating continued recognition of alumni who have made notable contributions to food, beverage, and hospitality.

Context and significance

The establishment of the ‘walk of fame’ underscores the Culinary Institute of America’s effort to acknowledge alumni impact across a range of culinary professions. Honoring a group of 21 alumni in the inaugural installation signals an institutional emphasis on the diverse roles chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and media figures play in shaping regional and national food culture.

Additional background on Dean Fearing

After training at the Culinary Institute of America in the late 1970s, Fearing rose to prominence in Dallas dining, including a notable history at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. He later opened and operated Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Dallas and expanded his profile through publishing and television work, which contributed to his selection as one of the inaugural stars on the Culinary Institute’s new recognition pathway.