Alison Rainis

Biography

Alison Rainis is a proud University of Delaware alumna, whose passion for the culinary arts and Vita Nova brought her back to campus. After completion of her bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management at UD in 2016, she furthered her culinary education at The Culinary Institute of America. After serving as the group leader and Editor in Chief of La Papillote, Alison graduated with honors and the Francis Roth Leadership award in 2018.

Alison has worked in everything from fine dining and catering to grocery stores. Immediately before joining UD, Alison worked with Culinart, a small boutique brand of Compass Group Foodservice. During her time there, she was the executive chef for the high volume cooperate office of Lockheed Martin from 2018-2019. In 2019, she took on a new account with the company at Mt. St. Joseph’s Academy, an elite all girls high school. She served there as the executive chef and general manager of the account. Most rewarding however, she taught culinary arts to her high school students as well as in summer camps to younger culinarians.

Alison’s time as a student in Vita Nova shaped her as a chef. She is excited to continue Vita Nova’s legacy and hopes to create the same wonderful experience for her students that she had.

Education

• A.A in culinary arts, Culinary Institute of America
• B.S. in hotel restaurant and institutional management, University of Delaware

Awards & Honors

• Culinart Women’s History Month Highlight 2020, 2021, 2022
• Francis Roth Leadership Award 2018
• Paul E Wise Scholar 2015
• Global Scholar 2012