CONGRATULATIONS to our CLASS OF 2026!
Graduation is one of our favourite events of the year! On Sunday June 7, we were thrilled to honour the Class of 2026 at our annual Graduation Ceremony, held at the Stratford Chefs School in downtown Stratford.
Diplomas and Achievement Awards were handed out, and Valedictorian Felix Obrascovs (pictured below) made an inspiring and heartwarming speech. Stratford’s Poet Laureate David Stones read his poem “Through Those Doors“, which he wrote in honour of the Graduating class.
Graduating Students
We are very proud of the accomplishments of these students, ours is a very challenging program – and they did it! Here’s to the continued learning and success of our newest Alumni, pictured below receiving their Diplomas from Program Manager Randi Rudner.
Lia Bentivogli, Caden Blain
Jon Cober, Rose Finkle
Fidel Flechas, Ciara La Marsh-Clements
Sharon McKillop, Felix Obrascovs (Valedictorian)
Jenna Terry, Antonio Vasile
Achievement Award Recipients | Graduating Class
Achievement Awards are given to the student who best captures the spirit of the award, not necessarily the student with the highest marks, although sometimes that is the case.
Stratford Chefs School Award | Commitment to Industry and Academic Achievement: Jon Cober, presented by Randi Rudner.
Elizabeth Baird Award | Excellence in Lab Cookery: Lia Bentivogli, presented by Randi Rudner.
Lady Glaze Award | Outstanding Achievement in Pastry: Ciara La Marsh-Clements, presented by Erin Negus.
Nigel & Ruth Howard Award | Outstanding Achievement, Final Business Project: Jenna Terry, Sharon McKillop, Jon Cober | Satiate, presented by Nigel Howard.
Eleanor Kane Award | Outstanding Achievement, Gastronomy: Jon Cober, presented by Eleanor Kane.
Christopher John Sinopoli Memorial Award | Outstanding Achievement, Larder: Jenna Terry, presented by Mike Booth.
Stratford Chefs School Award for Excellence in Wine Service: Felix Obrascovs, presented by Alexandra Evans.
Stratford Chefs School Award for Wine Improvement: Ciara La Marsh-Clements, presented by Alexandra Evans.
Stratford Chefs School Award for Biggest Improvement Overall: Antonio Vasile, presented by Randi Rudner.
Delta Doherty Memorial Award for Excellence in Vegan and Vegetarian Cuisine: Felix Obrascovs, presented by Sharon McKillop.
Scholarship Recipients | Incoming Level 2 Students
Stratford Chefs School Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement Overall: Kerry Coyle, presented by Randi Rudner.
T. Kent Calhoun Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Cookery: Nick Lewis, presented by Mike Booth.
Garland Canada Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Commodities: Brody Nelson, presented by Randi Rudner.
Timothy D. Leaney Memorial Scholarship for Positivity and Commitment to Learning: Tyler McGrath, presented by Jennifer Otter-Leaney.
IODE Festival Jubilee Chapter Scholarship in Honour of Victoria Noble: Kerry Coyle, presented by Randi Rudner.
Lindsay Reid Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Pastry: Ross Maracle, presented by Erin Negus. Ross Maracle was not able to attend Graduation.
Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer-in-Residence Scholarship for Writing: Logan Kelloway, presented by Eleanor Kane.
Carmelina Stracuzza and Scott MacNeill Kitchen Table Scholarship: Brody Nelson, presented by Carmelina Stracuzza and Scott MacNeill.
CONGRATULATIONS ALL!
Celebratory Poem
David Stones, Stratford’s Poet Laureate and a member of the School’s Advisory Group, wrote a special poem for our Graduating Class of 2026, and read it at Graduation. Click the document below to read the poem, titled “Through Those Doors.”
Photo Gallery
Photos: Terry Manzo
Learn More
Learn more about our Enriched Cook Apprenticeship 32 week program.
Learn more about our Open Kitchen recreational cooking classes and other events.
Do you have questions about our Program?
Contact us by email admin@stratfordchef.com or call 519.271.1414