Drexel University alumna Celina Tio, a 1992 graduate of the Hospitality Management program in Drexel’s Goodwin College, has been selected to appear on the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef.” On the show, Tio will compete with other acclaimed chefs to earn the prestigious designation of Iron Chef and appear on the popular program “Iron Chef America.”Tio brings a wide array of experience to “The Next Iron Chef.” After earning her degree at Drexel, Tio became chef of the Grill Room at Philadelphia's Ritz-Carlton hotel. She then moved to Orlando, Fla., to work for Walt Disney World, where she helped open two specialty restaurants, Spoodles, which features Mediterranean cuisine, and Citricos, specializing in Southern French dishes. Following her time at Disney World, she headed to Kansas City's renowned American Restaurant. There, she garnered accolades, including 2005 "Chef of the Year" by Chef magazine and the James Beard Foundation's 2007 "Best Chef: Midwest." Tio now runs her own restaurant, Julian, where she creates unique twists on American comfort food.Tio was awarded Drexel’s Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Food Science department’s “Outstanding Alumni Award” at its recent 20th anniversary alumni dinner. “The Next Iron Chef” will premiere Sunday, October 3, at 9 p.m. EDT on the Food Network.Photo: Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com)News media contact: Niki Gianakaris, director, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-6741, 215-778-7752 (cell), ngianakaris@drexel.edu
