CIM Muskegon Knowledge Bowl Team earned a certificate of participation in the 2025 ACF Knowledge Bowl Team National Championship.
Port Huron and Muskegon, MI – At Baker College, we’re always proud to celebrate the success found throughout our hive—and this season, we’re taking a moment to spotlight the outstanding achievements of The Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM), a division of Baker College. Always competing, always deserving of recognition, the CIM once again represented Michigan with distinction at the 2025 American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Convention and Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. CIM students, faculty, and advisory board members took home national awards and recognition for excellence in education, leadership, and competition.
Among the student competitors, Ella Allen, a Baking & Pastry Arts student from CIM–Port Huron, earned a Bronze Medal in the ACF Student Pastry Chef of the Year National Championship. She was coached by Chef Paula Recinella, CHE, HAAC.
The CIM faculty and advisory board were also honored with several of ACF’s most prestigious awards:
- Chef Thomas Recinella, CEC, AAC, HOGT – 2025 Emeritus Judge Award and the ACF Presidential Medallion, one of the federation’s highest honors.
- Chef Paula Recinella, CHE, HAAC – 2025 L. Edwin Brown Leadership Award for Exemplifying Service Leadership
- Chef Lakisha Harris, CIM Muskegon Advisory Board Member – ACF Presidential Medallion.
- Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar, CEC, AAC, HOGT, founding advisory board member – 2025 Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award and ACF Presidential Medallion.
Additionally, the CIM Muskegon Knowledge Bowl Team proudly represented the college and earned a certificate of participation in the 2025 National Knowledge Bowl Championship, showcasing academic excellence in culinary knowledge and teamwork.
“This incredible showing at the ACF National Convention reflects the passion, dedication, and talent of our students and faculty,” said Chef Thomas Recinella, Dean of The CIM. “We are proud to continue leading the way in culinary education and preparing the next generation of industry professionals.”
The ACF National Convention is the premier annual gathering of culinary professionals and students from across the country, providing an opportunity to compete, learn, and celebrate excellence in the culinary arts. As the CIM continues to grow its reputation as a national leader in culinary and hospitality education, these recognitions showcase its mission to deliver hands-on, high-quality learning experiences that translate to real-world success.
The Hive celebrates the entire CIM community for their achievements—proof that excellence, teamwork, and a passion for craft are always on the menu at Baker College.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at Baker.edu, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.
The Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM), a division of Baker College, is one of four US institutions to earn the “Recognition of Quality Culinary Education” designation from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. The Baking and Pastry, Food and Beverage, and Culinary Arts programs in Port Huron and Muskegon are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).