OCC Culinary instructor, coach and graduate advances to multi-state regional competition
Chef Norman Valenti, CEC, Culinary faculty and competition team coach at Oakland Community
College's Culinary Studies Institute, has been named 2026 “Chef of the Year” by the American Culinary Federation’s Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association (MCCA).
Chef Valenti earned the prestigious honor, competing against five other chefs in OCC’s
new culinary building, host of this year’s state competition. Each chef had 70 minutes
to prepare and plate a fish dish using both traditional French and modern cooking
techniques. Everything—from butchery and fabrication to knife cuts and sauces—had
to be completed within the time frame, with no premade items allowed.
“This award means a great deal to me. It represents years of hard work, dedication
and passion for the culinary craft,” Valenti said. “I’m incredibly grateful to the
mentors who have guided, challenged and inspired me throughout my career. Each of
them helped me reach this point. I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent
Michigan, and I hope to make everyone proud by bringing home a gold medal to OCC.”
Chef Valenti will represent Michigan at the American Culinary Federation's Central
Regional Qualifier in March 2027, competing for a chance to advance toward the national
title of U.S.A.'s Chef of the Year.
An OCC Culinary graduate, Chef Valenti brings extensive industry experience to his
students and classrooms. He recently transitioned from adjunct instructor to full-time
faculty and serving as Executive Chef at Bar Pigalle and The Beverly. Previous executive culinary roles include Executive Sous Chef at Michael Symon’s
award-winning Roast, and Vice President of Culinary Operations at Plum Market.
At OCC, he has coached three Culinary students to Gold Medals in American Culinary Federation (ACF) competitions throughout Michigan, and another who competed for ACF Student
Pastry Chef of the Year at the regional level. On the national level, he also coached
a student who took Fourth place at the SkillsUSA Culinary Arts competition in Atlanta.
“Chef Norm represents the very best of OCC and has outstanding professional experience,
a passion for teaching and a commitment to our students’ success,” said Provost Jolene
Chapman, Ph. D. “He is an OCC culinary graduate and seeing him honored for this prestigious
award is a full-circle moment for the College. It is richly deserved.”
For more information about OCC’s Culinary Arts program and its state-of-the-art facility
at the downtown Royal Oak campus, visit Culinary Arts.
About OCC
Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965.
OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student
success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top
transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while
advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally
recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu