Rick Smilow is the President and Owner of the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City. He acquired the school, then known as Peter Kumps New York Cooking School, in 1995. Founded in 1975, ICE offers highly regarded eight to 13 month career training diploma programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry and Baking Arts, Culinary Management and Hospitality Management.  During his tenure, among other initiatives, the school has quadrupled its program offerings, gained accreditation, changed its name and expanded three times.  In 2008 and 2013, ICE won the International Association of Culinary Professional (IACP) Award of Excellence for culinary schools. 

Rick is a director of City Harvest and on the NYC advisory board of Action Against Hunger.  He is also a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and on the board of Chef Daniel Boulud Dinex Restaurant Group.  In 2003, Mr. Smilow was the annual honoree of the New York Association of Culinary Professionals; and, in 2011 he was the IACP Entrepreneur of the Year.  In 2010, Smilow co-authored Culinary Careers: How to Get Your Dream Job in Food, a 360-page information and inspiration book published by Random House.
