Mariana Velasquez
Test Kitchen Manager Eating Well Magazine
Charlotte, Vermont

Greetings from Charlotte, Vermont! My name is Mariana Velasquez. I came to New England Culinary Institute from my native Colombia and received my Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts in 2002 and my Bachelor's Degree in Food & Beverage Management in 2004.

I love cooking and writing and have been lucky to be able to combine these passions. In my culinary program I interned at Saveur Magazine in New York City, doing recipe testing and editing. Today I am the test kitchen manager for Eating Well Magazine in beautiful Charlotte, Vermont.
I could not do what I do today without my NECI education. The small classes allowed me to get the individual attention from my instructors who helped my talents to flourish. The emphasis was always on doing, not theorizing. I learned so much about food and cooking in my Associate's Program that I am able to approach the test kitchen with great confidence. I have a very responsible position here for such a recent graduate, but I feel that my intensive NECI education has replaced many years of work experience.