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Oakes grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, and began working as a cook in nearby towns and resorts. He fell in love with the restaurant business and soon became a student at The Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduating, he was accepted at the prestigious Apprenticeship Program at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, but weeks before his scheduled start, he received a letter of acceptance from The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at The University of Denver.
After graduation, Vinnie then moved through a number of learning experiences which culminated in a ten-year stint at Harrah’s-Tahoe, the highest rated hotel-casino in the country during his years there. |
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He has received multiple awards and honors from The Culinary Institute of America, Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos, Raley’s Supermarkets, and Feeding America, where he has worked after a career change twenty years ago.