Executive Chef Joshua Cathey from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) recently captured first place in the Aramark Culinary Excellence Competition held at Auburn University. Cathey competed against chefs from each corner of the Aramark Collegiate Hospitality South Region.
Cathey, a 2012 graduate of USM, will represent Aramark Collegiate Hospital at the National ACE competition in July. His winning dish consisted of blackened jerk fish atop coconut rice with citrus slaw and lime crema.
“I love bringing new flavors to our students, and ACE gives us the opportunity to put our creativity to the test and get inspired by fellow Aramark Collegiate Hospitality chefs from across the country,” said Cathey.
Cathey earned his bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management at USM and began his professional career in catering at the Lake Terrace Convention Center. He joined Aramark Collegiate Hospitality in 2016 as a catering chef with Eagle Dining at USM.
In 2021, Cathey was promoted to Executive Chef at USM where his passion and ingenuity are key to Eagle Dining’s success in fueling great student outcomes at the Hattiesburg campus.
Cathey assisted with Aramark’s Culinary YOUniversity as a Preceptor for the nutrition program on the graduate level and the cooking demos for students/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.
