Bob Sferra '86 began his culinary career in 1990 as he became a chef’s apprentice for renowned Cleveland chef Parker Bosley for 7 years at both locations of Parker’s Restaurant. He attended L’Ecole Lenotre in Plaisir, France, and earned a Grand Diploma in Pastry Arts from The French Culinary Institute in New York City. After years of dabbling in different culinary forays, and by popular request from past clients and students, Sferra launched Bob Sferra Culinary Occasions, a boutique catering and pastry business that is a reflection of his training and unique culinary point of view. He has led trips to the Italian region of Umbria, Florence, Sienna and Milan and Provence in France. Later this fall, Sferra will open his newest venture, “Sophie, La Gourmande,” a café and patisserie, which will also serve as the home of Culinary Occasions. He has served on boards of the John Carroll University Alumni Association and the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. He is the 2018 recipient of the Father William Bichl S.J., Volunteer Service Award, given to the outstanding volunteer of the year by the JCU Alumni Association.