When was the honor unveiled?

The honor was unveiled on October 8, 2025.

Will the Walk of Fame continue to add honorees?

Annual inductions into the Walk of Fame will continue with additional chefs recognized each year.

Which other celebrity chefs are honored on the Walk of Fame?

Other celebrity chefs honored on the CIA Walk of Fame include Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Steve Ells, Sara Moulton, and Michael Tusk.

Was Anthony Bourdain connected to Dean Fearing's class year?

Anthony Bourdain was a CIA graduate from the same year as Fearing.

October 10, 2025

Dean Fearing Honored with Star on Culinary Institute’s Walk of Fame

Hyde Park, New York, October 10, 2025

News Summary

Dean Fearing, a prominent figure in Southwestern cuisine, has been recognized with a star on the Culinary Institute of America’s Walk of Fame. This honor was unveiled at the CIA’s flagship campus in New York, symbolizing Fearing’s significant influence and contributions to the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. He is among 21 alumni celebrated for their achievements. Fearing, who trained at the CIA in the late 1970s, is known for his innovative approach to American cuisine and currently operates Fearing’s restaurant in Dallas.

Hyde Park, New York

Dean Fearing, known as the father of Southwestern cuisine, received a star on the Culinary Institute of America’s Walk of Fame at his alma mater on October 8, 2025. The honor was unveiled on the CIA’s flagship campus in New York and places Fearing among 21 alumni recognized for their impact on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.

What happened

The Culinary Institute of America added a star for Dean Fearing to its Walk of Fame on October 8, 2025 at the CIA’s flagship campus in New York. The Walk of Fame is located in front of the Tim Ryan Student Commons in Hyde Park, New York. The honorees were selected by the CIA’s board of trustees, and the Walk of Fame now features a total of 21 alumni. Annual inductions will continue with additional chefs recognized each year.

Key supporting details

Dean Fearing trained at the Culinary Institute of America in the late 1970s. Much of his career was spent at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, and he is currently the chef-owner of Fearing’s, located in the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Dallas. Fearing is also a celebrated cookbook author and television personality. Notable dishes associated with Fearing include tortilla soup, barbecue glazed quail, maple-peppercorn buffalo, and chicken-fried lobster.

Selection and peers

The CIA’s board of trustees selected the honorees. Other celebrity chefs already honored on the Walk of Fame include Grant Achatz (founder of Alinea), Anthony Bourdain (a CIA graduate from the same year as Fearing), Steve Ells (founder of Chipotle), Sara Moulton (television and radio cooking educator), and Michael Tusk (top chef from San Francisco). The Walk of Fame currently recognizes 21 alumni for their contributions to the culinary world.

Context and background

Fearing attended the Culinary Institute of America in the late 1970s, a period when the school’s culinary focus was primarily on French cuisine. During and after his training, Fearing and his classmates aimed to innovate by moving into American cuisine and breaking traditional molds. Over his career he helped shape and popularize what has been described as Southwestern-influenced American cooking.

Location and continuity

The Walk of Fame is installed in front of the Tim Ryan Student Commons in Hyde Park, New York. The CIA indicated that annual inductions into the Walk of Fame will continue and that additional chefs will be recognized in coming years.

Why this matters

The star recognizes career achievement and influence in food, beverage, and hospitality. Adding Dean Fearing to the Walk of Fame highlights his role in developing Southwestern-influenced American cuisine, his public profile as an author and television personality, and his long-standing ties to the CIA and several high-profile culinary institutions.

FAQ

Who received a star on the Culinary Institute of America’s Walk of Fame?: Dean Fearing received a star on the Culinary Institute of America’s Walk of Fame at his alma mater.
When was the honor unveiled?: The honor was unveiled on October 8, 2025.
Where is the Walk of Fame located?: The Walk of Fame is located in front of the Tim Ryan Student Commons in Hyde Park, New York.
How many alumni are featured on the Walk of Fame?: The CIA’s Walk of Fame features a total of 21 alumni recognized for their impact on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
Who selected the honorees?: The honorees were selected by the CIA’s board of trustees.
Where did Dean Fearing train?: Dean Fearing trained at the Culinary Institute of America in the late 1970s.
What notable dishes are associated with Dean Fearing?: Notable dishes associated with Fearing include tortilla soup, barbecue glazed quail, maple-peppercorn buffalo, and chicken-fried lobster.
What is Dean Fearing’s current restaurant?: He is the chef-owner of Fearing’s, located in the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Dallas.
Where did much of his career take place?: Much of his career was spent at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.
Will the Walk of Fame continue to add honorees?: Annual inductions into the Walk of Fame will continue with additional chefs recognized each year.
Which other celebrity chefs are honored on the Walk of Fame?: Other celebrity chefs honored on the CIA Walk of Fame include Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Steve Ells, Sara Moulton, and Michael Tusk.
Was Anthony Bourdain connected to Dean Fearing’s class year?: Anthony Bourdain was a CIA graduate from the same year as Fearing.

Key Features
Feature	Detail
Honoree	Dean Fearing
Title/Recognition	Star on the Culinary Institute of America’s Walk of Fame
Date unveiled	October 8, 2025
Location	In front of the Tim Ryan Student Commons in Hyde Park, New York
Training	Trained at the Culinary Institute of America in the late 1970s
Current restaurant	Fearing’s, located in the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Dallas
Career highlights	Much of his career was spent at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek; cookbook author and television personality
Notable dishes	Tortilla soup; barbecue glazed quail; maple-peppercorn buffalo; chicken-fried lobster
Number of Walk of Fame alumni	21 alumni
Selection body	The honorees were selected by the CIA’s board of trustees

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Additional Resources

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