The award is granted to alumni who have gained unique distinction professionally and through service to Lynn and their communities.
Duarte received two degrees from Lynn: a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management and a Master of Science in hospitality administration. While working on his master’s, he co-authored a chapter in an introduction to a hospitality book, Senior Services Management, and prepared an instructor’s manual for the Gourmet Camper, a multicultural food preparation and nutritional summer camp program.
After completing his master’s degree, he accepted a job developing exciting gourmet activities for families from around the world with ESF Adventures. In 2000, he settled in Boston and opened his restaurant, Taranta, in the historic North End.
In 2007, Duarte began his research on sustainability and carbon reduction as a way of reducing costs—leading to Taranta’s certification as one of the first “green” restaurants in the world.
Duarte received the 2008 City of Boston Green Business Award, the 2011 Massachusetts Recycling Award, Waterford Crystal Chefs of Chefs Award, 2011 Massachusetts Chef of the Year and Top 100 Most Influential Latinos in Massachusetts.
He is a part of Le Cordon Bleu Boston Programming Advisory Board and the Newbury College Advisory Board. His recent work includes the use of innovation and technology to promote the importance of traceability—knowing where a food item is, or has been, and what has been done to it before it reaches your plate.
Duarte, a member of the Lynn University Leadership Society since 2009, currently serves on PAAC (President’s Alumni Advisory Council) and has hosted alumni and parent events at his Boston restaurant. He also was a keynote speaker for the 2013 J-Term, where he lectured students on sustainable food and the fair treatment of farmworkers.
