Wilkinson should be used to excelling by now. He graduated at the top of his class at Culinary Institute of America in 1983, and successfully completed an apprenticeship with the 1984 U.S. Culinary Olympic Team which won two gold medals. He achieved acclaim as sous chef at John Polcari's Restaurant in Boston, before joining Aurora. He will also be serving as sous chef on the 1988 U.S. Culinary Olympic Team.