Honorable Order of the Golden Toque Elects a New Leader

The Honorable Order of the Golden Toque recently elected Chef Tom Hickey, Director of Sullivan University's National Center for Hospitality Studies (NCHS), as Grand Commander at their 46th annual meeting. The Honorable Order is the highest recognition a chef can receive in the United States.

The Order was originally founded in France by Chef Pierre Berard and was brought to the United States in 1961. It was established to recognize skillful chefs who have Executive Chef experience of at least 20 years, have achieved professional accomplishments, have an interest in professional progress and are devoted to the Culinary Profession and Arts.

“It is an honor to be selected as a member of the Golden Toque and to be elected as their Grand Commander is a chef’s lifelong dream.” says Hickey. “To follow in the footsteps of the past Grand Commanders and keep the original standards of the order in place will be my goal.”

The Honorable Order of the Golden Toque has a membership restriction of only 100 lifetime active members. Chefs may not apply for membership; they must be nominated by at least three active members. They are then put through a screening process which is held by the Acceptance Committee that is made up of past Grand Commanders, Grand Commander and the Board of Directors. Final membership must be decided by all members at the annual meeting.

The Order derives its name from the chef's toque, the tall, round, pleated, white hat worn in most modern kitchens.

The NCHS prepares students for careers in the hospitality field by offering five Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees majors and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Students can earn an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts; Baking & Pastry Arts; Professional Catering; Hotel & Restaurant Management; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration concentration in Hospitality Management. The University also offers Professional Cook, Professional Baker and Travel & Tourism diplomas. All programs of study are taught by highly qualified faculty using the latest contemporary facilities. For more information, visit www.sullivan.edu.