José Duarte received two degrees from Lynn University: a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management and a Master of Science in hospitality administration.
For the past eight years, Duarte has hosted Lynn on the Road receptions for fellow alumni and parents at his award-winning Boston restaurant, Taranta. The North End eatery is certified as one of the few “green restaurants” in the world. Duarte has won numerous awards for his sustainability efforts including the 2008 City of Boston Green Business Award, the 2011 Massachusetts Recycling Award, Waterford Crystal Chef of Chefs Award, 2011 Massachusetts Chef of the Year and Top 100 Most Influential Latinos in Massachusetts.
His recent work includes the use of innovation and technology to promote traceability—knowing where a food item is or has been and what has been done to it. Duarte currently serves on Lynn’s PAAC (President’s Alumni Advisory Council) and was the keynote speaker for the university’s 2013 J-Term. Joined by human rights activist Gerardo Reyes, Duarte spoke on sustainable food and the fair treatment of farmworkers. Duarte has been a member of Lynn’s Leadership Society since 2009.