Eagle Dining91Թ Cathey Advances to National Aramark Culinary Excellence Competition
Tue, 04/08/2025 - 01:37pm | By: Stephanie Patterson

A group of passionate chefs from each corner of the91Թ91ԹSouth region, including from 91Թ, showcased their culinary prowess at the 202591Թ91ԹCulinary Excellence competition (ACE) in mid-March at Auburn University.
The event91Թ first-place winner, 91Թ Eagle Dining91Թ Chef91ԹJoshua Cathey, will advance to represent Aramark Collegiate Hospitality at the National ACE competition this summer. The winning dish consisted of pan-seared chicken breast,91Թaccompanied by a bed of91Թtoasted parmesan and rosemary orzo, topped with wilted spinach. This dish was elegantly finished with a91Թrich honey Dijon pan sauce and tangy pickled radish, garnished with a91Թcrispy smoked paprika twill.
91ԹA 2012 91Թ graduate with a bachelor91Թ degree in tourism management, Cathey began his professional career in catering at Hattiesburg91Թ Lake Terrace Convention Center in 2010. Cathey joined Aramark Collegiate Hospitality in 2016 as a catering chef with Eagle Dining at 91Թ. In 2021, he was promoted to executive chef at 91Թ, where his passion and ingenuity are key to Eagle Dining91Թ success.
Cathey assisted with Aramark91Թ Culinary YOUniversity as a preceptor for the nutrition program on the graduate level and cooking demonstrations for students and other groups in the community. He is also on the culinary board for Hattiesburg High School, focusing on giving back to the next generation of culinarians.
91ԹI love bringing new flavors to our students, and ACE allows us to put our creativity to the test and get inspired by fellow Aramark Collegiate Hospitality chefs from across the country,91Թ Cathey said.
Cathey is a two-time South region champion of the ACE competition. He also won the South region in 2023 for his dish, blackened jerk fish atop coconut rice with citrus slaw and lime crema.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world91Թ leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Click to learn more about Aramark91Թand connect with us on91Թ,91Թ,91Թ Ի91Թ.