To my desk comes this dispatch about chef Tiffany Derry of Top Chef fame meeting yesterday with members of the United States Congress:
Bravo’s Top Chef All Stars fan favorite Tiffany Derry made a trip to Washington, D.C., to talk to Congress about the importance of culinary arts programs. A Department of Education rule is threatening career college programs and would deny federal financial aid to students who need help the most — low-income and minority students who want to pursue degrees in fields like graphic design and culinary arts. Thirty-nine percent of students who attend career colleges are minorities, and Tiffany talked to members of the Congressional Black Caucus on the harmful impacts this “Gainful Employment” rule will have. She’s worried the rule will hurt students like herself from pursuing their dreams.
Tiffany, a Beaumont native, started her career working at an IHOP at the age of 15, she pursued a culinary degree at the Art Institute of Houston and loved her experience enough to go to Ai Dallas to teach. Meanwhile, she got a great position as a chef in Dallas and recently competed on Season 7, Top Chef D.C. She is currently on Season 8 All Stars.
