Marc Murphy, Amanda Freitag, and Tess Sinatro Set to Judge Food Education Fund Colavita Culinary Challenge
NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Food Education Fund is thrilled to partner with Colavita for the seventh consecutive year to present the FEF Colavita Culinary Challenge. This innovative high school cooking competition continues its mission to empower the rising stars of the culinary world. This year’s panel of esteemed judges includes celebrated chefs Marc Murphy and Amanda Freitag, along with industry expert and internet personality, Tessa Sinatro, bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the event.
To cultivate young talent and drive change in the culinary industry, the 2025 challenge has invited entries from the Food and Finance High School, the High School of Hospitality Management, and the Brooklyn STEAM Center—schools committed to diversifying the food and hospitality sector. Each finalist team has received personalized guidance from industry mentors to hone their skills and perfect their unique recipes featuring Colavita’s premium products.
Ahead of the grand finale, a competition dry run took place on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 3:00-5:00 pm at the High School of Hospitality Management (525 W 50th Street, Hell’s Kitchen).
The finale event, set for April 16th, 2025, at the Institute of Culinary Education in Battery Park, will see the young chefs in action from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The team’s dishes will be judged on taste, presentation, creativity, ingredient usage, timing, and sanitation. The winning duo will be awarded an inspiring, all-expenses-paid culinary journey through Italy, hosted by Colavita, and a scholarship of $2,500 each, managed by the Food Education Fund.
This year’s competing teams have received mentorship from renowned restaurant chefs, including:
- Chef Aaron Diener of The Landmark
- Chef Anthony Ricco of The William Vale
- Chef Kelley Pittman of Leon’s
Giovanni Colavita, CEO of Colavita, reaffirms the company’s dedication to nurturing the community through food: “The Colavita Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s an opportunity to empower the next generation of chefs, inspiring them to think globally and cook with passion. We’re proud to support these talented young culinarians as they embark on their journey in the food world.”
About the Food Education Fund
The Food Education Fund is a New York City-based nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of underserved, culinary-focused public high school students. Through experiential learning and internship placements in the hospitality industry and culinary arts, FEF empowers students to continue their education and cultivate sustainable careers, with a steadfast commitment to reaching students of all backgrounds.
About Colavita
Family-owned Colavita USA, headquartered in Edison, NJ, has been importing and distributing premium Italian products since 1979. Colavita’s authentic specialty products, including olive oils, durum wheat semolina pasta, a full selection of balsamic and wine vinegars, traditional and organic pasta sauces, and more, are the ingredients of choice for chefs at home, in restaurants, and in professional kitchens alike. Colavita also markets a full line of marinated vegetables and spreads and ready-to-serve soups, each prepared according to Colavita family tradition.
SOURCE Colavita
