Culinary Trailblazer Carol Brock Receives Honorary Doctorate

Carol Brock, pioneering founder of Les Dames d’Escoffier, and former Culinary Arts coordinator for the Great Neck Public Schools Community Education program, received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from SUNY Cobleskill. Brock has helped break down barriers for women in the culinary arts, is a staunch supporter of SUNY Cobleskill’s culinary program, and has opened doors for students to further their educational goals and careers.

In her long and distinguished career, Brock has exemplified SUNY Cobleskill’s credo of “real life, real learning” as she has led the way for countless women entering careers in fine food, beverage and hospitality. Through her efforts and personal generosity, hundreds of culinary books have been donated to SUNY Cobleskill’s Van Wagenen Library.

“Carol Brock’s vision and support of our college and our culinary programs have had and will continue to have a tremendous positive impact on our students and the industries that they enter,” said SUNY Cobleskill President Dr. Marion A. Terenzio.

Brock founded the international philanthropic organization Les Dames d’Escoffier in 1973, the first organization devoted to professional women in fine food, beverage and hospitality. One of the prime missions of Les Dames is to encourage talented young women to become leaders in their fields via scholarships and mentoring. Brock holds the title of Grande Dame, a position shared by women like M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, Marcella Hazan and Alice Waters, among others.

Brock began her career as assistant food editor at Good Housekeeping Magazine in 1944, then served for the next 23 years as hostess editor, a position created for her. She later became food editor for Parents Magazine, followed by 15 years as food reporter for the New York Daily News, and later as a restaurant critic for the Times Ledger in Queens. While Culinary Arts coordinator in Great Neck, Brock brought many culinary notables to the program, including Lidia Bastianich, Arthur Schwartz and Rozanne Gold.

As philanthropist, chef, editor, journalist and author, Brock continues to be a trailblazer, a role model, mentor, events producer and board member of numerous organizations.