Manchester Community College Foundation Appoints New Board Member

Billy Grant

Manchester, Connecticut – (February 10, 2014)… The Manchester Community College Foundation recently appointed a new member to its board of directors.

Billy Grant, of West Hartford, has a long history in the culinary profession. Grant, along with his brothers Tony and Michael, has created two sophisticated, celebrated and revered dining establishments in the heart of revitalized West Hartford Center, Restaurant Bricco and Grants Restaurant and Bar. He opened Bricco Trattoria in Glastonbury in 2010 with rave reviews.  His restaurants have been cited by the New York Times as a “Don’t Miss”, best new restaurant and his BG Catering was voted Best Caterer by Hartford Magazine.  All three restaurants have also been awarded numerous awards by Connecticut Magazine, Hartford Advocate and Hartford Magazine.

Grant’s career began at Augie & Ray’s, with Billy working alongside his father. Later, he learned his Uncle Paul’s “scratch” cooking techniques at the famed Eatery in East Windsor. He later became Sous Chef at the original Max on Main.

Today, through his local celebrity as one of the region’s best chefs and restaurateurs, Billy has also gained a reputation as a philanthropist. He supports more than 15 charities, reaching out to the community that has embraced him so warmly. Billy has had over 20 years of involvement with Share our Strength and co-chairs their “Taste of the Nation” events for nine years; he was awarded the leadership chef of the year by Share our Strength in Washington, DC in 2011; is Signature Chef for the March of Dimes; was named Restaurateur of the Year by the CT Restaurant Association and was twice voted one of “50 Most influential People” in Hartford Magazine”; was acknowledged on the Oprah Winfrey Show and in Esquire Magazine; was twice nominated for a James Beard Foundation award; serves as Restaurant Chair of the Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia research and traveled to Washington, D.C. to help Michelle Obama launch the “Let’s Move” program. Chef Grant will also appear on the new Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay” as a guest judge. Most recently Chef Billy was awarded the Whitney Young Award for his charitable efforts.

Grant has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Eastern Connecticut State University.

The Manchester Community College Foundation, Inc. is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 Connecticut corporation. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors, composed of business and community leaders who serve as advocates for the college and secure support for college priorities. Since 1968, MCC Foundation has supported the college’s strategic initiatives via funding for student scholarships, college programs, and equipment.

The MCC Foundation helps build a network of community support and promotes better public understanding of the college, now in its 50th year, as a regional resource. The MCC Foundation gives hundreds of deserving students the opportunity to achieve their academic dreams through the scholarship program, awarding approximately $200,000 to 200 students each year. In addition, the Foundation supports college programs. With this funding, MCC is able to maintain and build its competitive edge.

Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The college offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. The main, park-like campus, which is easily accessible from I-84, is also the home of Great Path Academy, a middle college high school, serving grades 9-12. The college’s second location, the Manchester Community College Arts and Education Center, opened in downtown Manchester in 2012. MCC takes pride in the quality of programs and the many ways we’ve helped students, families, businesses and community grow over the past five decades. 

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