Cate Huguelet

Cate Huguelet, Kennedy-King College’s 2023 salutatorian, had already earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees before deciding to return to school and enroll at the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute. She had been working as a freelance writer since 2012, covering food and travel for publications like Chicago Magazine, Lonely Planet, New York Magazine, and The Guardian.

While Cate enjoyed her work, she had lifelong dreams of a career as a baker. The birth of her first daughter in 2017 inspired her to follow her calling, and in 2019, she began her Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry at Washburne. Initially drawn to Kennedy-King for its affordability, Cate quickly found her program’s true value was in its caring instructors and supportive staff, challenging curriculum, and the community of fellow baking students she met.

“The instructors and the support staff here were an incredible resource,” Cate said. “They’re really caring people, and they’re just determined to see their students succeed.”

While life threw out some challenges during the course of her studies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the birth of her second daughter, Cate remained focused on her goal and completed her program in December of 2022. Today, Cate continues to work as a writer and hopes to one day open a bread and pastry shop in Bridgeport, where she lives with her family.