A New Kind of Fame for Chefs

While local chefs have their heads down striving to earn a Michelin star, Dallas chef Dean Fearing earned a different kind of recognition. On Oct. 8, 2025, the Culinary Institute of America created a “walk of fame” on its campus in New York and recognized 21 of its alumni with a star on the sidewalk.

It’s similar to the Hollywood walk of fame, but for chefs. The honorees were chosen by the Culinary Institute of America’s board of trustees for their impact on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, a spokeswoman said.

About the Honorees

Dallas chef Fearing was called the “father of Southwestern cuisine” by the Culinary Institute of America, where he trained to become a chef in the late 1970s. Today, he is the chef-owner of Fearing’s, a restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown, Dallas. Much of his career was spent at the revered Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Fearing is also a cookbook author and TV personality.

The Culinary Institute of America honored 21 chefs, including Dallas chef Dean Fearing, for their work in the restaurant and beverage industries. Fearing is the chef-owner of Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas.

A Look Back at the Culinary Institute of America

Fearing looks back on the two years he spent at the institute nearly 50 years ago. “When we went to school, it was all French cuisine,” he said. He and his peers pushed the boundaries of French cooking. “This was us, breaking the mold, and moving into American cuisine.” Fearing is known today for his tortilla soup, barbecue glazed quail, maple-peppercorn buffalo, chicken-fried lobster, and the like.

The Inaugural Class of Chefs

The inaugural class of chefs constitutes an impressive roster of talent. The Culinary Institute of America’s honorees included:

• The late Anthony Bourdain, who wrote the book Kitchen Confidential and appeared on the TV show No Reservations before his death in 2018
• Charlie Palmer, a hotelier and chef whose restaurants span from Napa Valley to New York
• Sara Moulton, who calls Julia Child one of her mentors and has worked at Gourmet magazine and Good Morning America
• Larry Forgione, the chef “who started American cuisine for all of us,” according to Fearing
• Greg Achatz, whose restaurant Alinea in Chicago earned 3-star Michelin status for over a decade

A Coming-Together of Friends

Fearing described the day as a coming-together of friends who spent the past few decades cooking all over the country and world. “It was a revelation, for the school to honor us all together, with the thought of American cuisine,” Fearing said.

Alumnae were inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame. Additional people will be given stars annually, a spokeswoman said.

Visitors to the Culinary Institute of America can see the walk of fame in front of the Tim Ryan Student Commons, in Hyde Park, N.Y.

Conclusion

The recognition of these 21 chefs by the Culinary Institute of America marks a significant milestone in the culinary world. It highlights the impact that these individuals have had on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. As the culinary world continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how future generations of chefs are recognized and honored for their contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Culinary Institute of America’s walk of fame:

Q: What is the Culinary Institute of America’s walk of fame?

A: The Culinary Institute of America’s walk of fame is a recognition of the institute’s alumni who have made significant contributions to the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.

Q: Who were the inaugural honorees?

A: The inaugural class of honorees included 21 chefs, including Dean Fearing, Anthony Bourdain, Charlie Palmer, Sara Moulton, Larry Forgione, and Greg Achatz.

Q: How were the honorees chosen?

A: The honorees were chosen by the Culinary Institute of America’s board of trustees for their impact on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.

Q: Where is the walk of fame located?

A: The walk of fame is located in front of the Tim Ryan Student Commons, in Hyde Park, N.Y.