Serving Up Success: Berkeley College Alumna Chef FOMO Brings Flavor and Inspiration to Woodbridge Campus

SERVING UP SUCCESS:
BERKELEY COLLEGE ALUMNA CHEF FOMO BRINGS
FLAVOR AND INSPIRATION TO WOODBRIDGE CAMPUS

Photo Caption: Jennifer DeJesus, Campus Operating Officer, Berkeley College in Woodbridge, NJ (left), and alumna Tinamarie Giraud stand outside the Chef FOMO food truck. Giraud returns to campus every week to feed and inspire students.

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While many know the acronym FOMO to mean "Fear of missing out," Berkeley College alumna Tinamarie Giraud has changed it to "Faith over my obstacles" as her personal mantra. That mantra has inspired Giraud to pursue her greatest dream: A Chef FOMO food truck that serves Berkeley College in Woodbridge every week.

Chef FOMO serves a fusion of Hispanic and Caribbean food with a hint of Asian teriyaki, specializing in burritos, tacos, and wings. "We have a little bit of everything," said Giraud, a resident of Perth Amboy, NJ.

Giraud graduated from Berkeley College in 2004 with an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration - Marketing where she learned the importance of planning, ambassadorship, and promoting herself as her own brand. She further pursued her studies and earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Business Administration before launching her entrepreneurial venture.

Giraud, who is employed as a Management Analyst with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said she is excited to be back at her home campus.

"Berkeley College taught me the importance of planning," Giraud said. "This is where I learned the importance of branding. Along the way I learned what it means to use your time wisely. Most importantly I learned to look at myself as a brand."

To craft the flavors and sauces for her food truck, Giraud said she experimented in the kitchen with her family, including her three children, ages 16, 14, and 8. "We turned our kitchen into a full-blown science lab," she said. "My kids were my guinea pigs - they tried everything."

Photo Caption: Alumna Tinamarie Giraud, better known as Chef FOMO, grills chicken in her food truck. Berkeley College in Woodbridge has partnered with Giraud to bring her food truck to campus every week.

Giraud, who calls cooking her "zen zone," learned to cook from her grandmother and later from her uncle. "They taught me that nothing leaves the kitchen without being seasoned," she said.

The Chef FOMO name "aligns with my personal brand and values," Giraud said. "In my house we have a saying that it is our duty to spread love to ensure everyone feels good, so it is at the core of everything we do."

During her time at Berkeley College, Giraud served as President of the Student Government Association, was a member of the National Honor Society, and was employed by the Federal Work Study program with the Admissions department.

Photo Caption: Alumna Tinamarie Giraud, better known as Chef FOMO, serves a signature birria beef bowl to a Berkeley College student. Berkeley College in Woodbridge has partnered with Giraud to bring her food truck to campus every week.

"I am humbled by the fact that my life has come full circle," Giraud said. She hopes to inspire students with her successes as well and show them that with grit, resilience, and dedication, they can do whatever they put their minds to and give back to the community along the way.

"We are honored to have Chef FOMO, a Berkeley College alumna, back at the Woodbridge campus," said Jennifer DeJesus, Campus Operating Officer, Berkeley College in Woodbridge. "Giraud is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and hard work who inspires our students by showing them that they can achieve their dreams when they work hard and believe in themselves."

About Berkeley College

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate's degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.

Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor's Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2026 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.

The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.

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