Race to 100 Alumni

Jessica Menashe

KCC Class of 2025
Major: Culinary Arts
Current Title/Profession: Attending: Culinary Institute of America

Jessica Menashe never expected her path to college to lead through the kitchen, but that is exactly where she found her purpose. Born on Long Island and raised in Howard Beach, Queens, Jessica originally planned to become a math teacher. She started college at Queens College but left after one semester. “I wasn’t happy there,” she said. “I knew I wanted something different.”

Jessica enrolled in the culinary arts program at Kingsborough Community College in Spring 2023. She had been cooking since 13 but wanted schooling and skill to prepare her for future kitchen endeavors. At Kingsborough, Jessica found more than a major—she found a community. She credits her professors with helping her develop not just her technical skills but also her confidence.

Chef Anthony Marzuillo, who was her first and last culinary professor at KCC, stands out as a major influence. “He has a saying: ‘Every day is a day to be excellent.’ That really stuck with me,” she said. Menashe even had the word “excellent” tattooed on her wrist in his handwriting as a reminder to push herself. “He’s someone I know I can always go to.” Chef Marzuillo is one of many professors that Jessica credits as part of her strong support system at Kingsborough.

The ASAP student made the Dean’s List twice and often volunteered at culinary events like ECO Eats and those hosted by Société Culinaire Philanthropique. Jessica graduated from Kingsborough in January 2025 with an associate’s degree in culinary arts and began attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in food business management. In her second semester, she was awarded the Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Scholarship and served as an orientation leader, inspiring incoming CIA students. While finishing the semester, she completed her externship as a line cook at Torrisi, a One Michelin Star restaurant in SoHo, New York City, and also worked for a local bakery in her hometown.

Thinking back to her time at Kingsborough, she remarks, “At KCC all the professors that I had were all such positive, guiding lights and very supportive of anything that I wanted to do. They always wanted what was best for me. They always looked out for me.” Jessica shares that she makes it a priority to return to campus whenever she gets the chance and often likes to visit old professors with her classmates from the culinary program. She jokes, “I love going there. If I could re-enroll back there, I would. I’d find a way.”