George O'Palenick

Named 2004 Educator of the Year by the American Culinary Federation, George O'Palenick, CEC, CCE, is an associate professor in the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University's Providence Campus. He has been at Johnson & Wales since 1980, teaching classes in both American and International Cuisine — specializing in Italian and Classical French — and Garde Manger. He is a past recipient of the College's prestigious Escoffier Award, named after the famed French chef, which recognizes the teacher who has most contributed to inspiring future culinarians.

 
In addition to teaching, O'Palenick coached the Student Olympic Team, which traveled to Germany in October 2004. There, they competed in the professional division and won bronze against a field of professional teams from around the world. O’Palenick himself brought home a gold and a bronze to add to the medals he won in the 1998 Culinary Olympics. He also shares his expertise with students as adviser to the Chippers Ice Carving Club, members of which have won the National Student Championship three of the past four years. In recognition of his efforts, O'Palenick received the College's 2004 Culinary Service Award and the 2003 Outstanding Service Award.
 
O'Palenick also owns and operates Art on Ice, which supplies ice sculptures to functions. Prior to joining Johnson & Wales, O'Palenick was owner and executive chef at G.A. O'Palenick Catering. He has also worked at several hotels in New York State.
 
O'Palenick is a member of the National Ice Carving Association, Les Amis d'Escoffier, and the American Culinary Federation, which named him Educator of the Year in 2004 and National Chef of the Year in 1995 and inducted him into the American Academy of Chefs. He is a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Educator.
 
O'Palenick holds an associate's degree from the Culinary Institute of America; an associate's degree in business administration from Jamestown Community College; a bachelor's in Foodservice Management from Johnson & Wales; and a master's in Hospitality Management, also from Johnson & Wales.