Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education Announces 2021 Culinary Education Award Recipients

The Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ) announces the 2021 Culinary Education Award recipients. Ten secondary and postsecondary culinary instructors were recognized for their innovation, leadership, sustainability efforts, entrepreneurship, technological abilities and community outreach.

“We are proud to honor this year’s award recipients for their hard work and dedication to teaching culinary arts,” says Mary Petersen, CAFÉ president. “Especially this past year with all the pandemic-related changes to education, these leaders demonstrated resilience and grit as they rose to the challenge of delivering a top-notch culinary education. Congratulations to all the award winners.”

Each award is co-sponsored by CAFÉ and a foodservice industry partner. “Our industry sponsors help CAFÉ fulfill its mission to link culinary educators with the foodservice industry. Their thoughtful partnerships and tireless support are critical to CAFÉ’s success,” Petersen said.

All honorees received commemorative plaques, cash prizes and complimentary full registrations to CAFÉ’s 2022 Leadership Conference to be held next June in Portland, Maine.

The 2021 Culinary Education Award recipients are:

Entrepreneurship Award, co-sponsored by Kendall College National Louis University

The winner is Elizabeth DeRose, Frederick Community College, Frederick, Md.

Innovation Award, co-sponsored by Idaho Potato Commission

The winner is Wook Kang, Kendall College National Louis University, Chicago.

Green Award, co-sponsored by United Soybean Board

The winner is Dr. Jennifer Denlinger, Valencia College, Kissimmee, Fla.

Postsecondary Educator of the Year Award, co-sponsored by Sysco Corporation

The winner is Rich Grigsby, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla.
The runner up is Dr. Jennifer Denlinger, Valencia College, Kissimmee, Fla.

Secondary Educator of the Year Award, co-sponsored by Sysco Corporation

The winner is Mary Elise Chonko, Chesterfield Career and Technical Center, Midlothian, Va.

Community Outreach Award, co-sponsored by Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

The winner is Remy Robert, New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), New Orleans. Honorable mention to the Southern Smoke Foundation, Houston.

Technology Award sponsored by Mercer Culinary

The winner is Debbie Bates, Lancaster High School/Stanbery Career Center, Lancaster, Ohio.
The runner up is Ezra Eichelberger, Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York.

CAFÉ Champion Award

The winner is Paul Sorgule, MS, AAC, and Harvest America Ventures LLC President, Saranac Lake, New York.

HME Hospitality and Specialty Communications Releases New Text-to-Speech Feature

HME Hospitality and Specialty Communications announced the release of Text & Connect, a powerful new NEXEO | HDX feature used to send real-time, personalized, text-to-speech alerts to select restaurant teams and stores via the NEXEO headset. Text & Connect revolutionizes store operations by enabling restaurant leaders to build employee engagement, recognize outstanding performance, and deliver consistent […]

California Pizza Kitchen’s $50,000 ‘Thank You Card’ Sweepstakes Ends April 22

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) Thank You Card promotion – where every card is a winner – is still going on through THIS Sunday, April 22! Most importantly, $50,000 in cash is still up for grabs, which means everyone with an unopened Thank You Card needs to head out to their local CPK over the next five days to find the big grand […]

Peter D’Amelio Named Strategic Advisor to Leo’s Italian Social

Peter D’Amelio, CEO of PJD Hospitality and former president of the Cheesecake Factory, has joined Leo’s Italian Social as a strategic advisor to help steward its growth in the Midwest and along the East Coast. With an impressive 30-plus-year track record in the hospitality industry, D’Amelio brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the […]

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Pledges $1 Million to Ohio State

The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology announced a generous $1 million commitment from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR) on Monday for the renovation of Campbell Hall. The news was shared during The Big Dish, the Hospitality Management Program’s annual signature event, which celebrates the program’s graduating seniors and industry partners. The program’s […]

Kyuramen Opens in Sandy Springs, Georgia

Kyuramen, the renowned Japanese ramen chain, introduced its location at 6623 Roswell Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 that brings authentic and innovative ramen experiences at an affordable price to Sandy Springs residents. Participating in Kyuramen’s nationwide “New Bowl Lottery Game,” the Sandy Spring location allows diners to have a chance to win a free […]

Denny’s to Offer Discounted Sweet Cream Cold Brew on 4/20

This 4/20, come to Denny’s for a brew-tiful celebration. In honor of National Cold Brew Day on April 20, Denny’s is pleased to provide Denny’s rewards members 20 percent off one Sweet Cream Cold Brew. Customers must become value members before April 20 to be eligible for this special all-day offer. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, […]

You might also like...

Get daily updates on quick-serve industry news, tips, and events.