Join your peers at the 7th annual Deans and Directors Retreat. This event is limited to 50 attendees, so don’t wait to sign up! We will be hosted by The Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, March 15-17, 2019. The theme is “Building Your Brand.”

We will hear challenges as well as success stories in addition to highlighting some innovative new programs in the U.S.

And back by popular demand, the retreat will begin its program with the Touchstone Discussion Project leaders, Howard Zeiderman and Stefanie Takacs, for Part 2 of their exercises focusing on Visioning Your Program.

• How do you vision your program?
• What makes your program unique?
• What are you most proud of in your program?
• What are the challenges?

Attendees will practice their skills so that they will be able to effectively lead productive meetings at their own schools.

For more information about the Touchstone Discussion Project (which presents to entities ranging from elementary schools to returning veterans!), go to https://www.touchstones.org/. Last year’s DDR attendees can attest to the skills and methods that this presentation can help you with.

To register for the Deana and Directors Retreat and to get hotel information, click here.

Job Opening

Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food is adding Chef Instructors as well as leadership positions! Are you particularly adept in any of these areas—pastry, chocolate, charcuterie, butchery, plant-based, farming/gardening, food systems, nutrition, and international? We also have a High School chef instructor position. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with specific questions. Apply here: https://jobs.nwacc.edu/postings/9761

Brightwater NWA is the first culinary school to offer a systems-based approach to culinary training. We emphasize wellness that encompasses sustainable farming practices, healthy community relationships, and the well-being of individuals through local food. http://www.brightwater.org

Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food: Sponsor of TWO Awards

• Green Award: Recognizes culinary programs that promote and incorporate sustainability efforts as part of their curriculum and operations. Click here for information about the Green Award
• Food Entrepreneurship Award: Identifies culinary programs that either 1) teach or encourage entrepreneurship in their programming or 2) implement revenue-generation and cost-savings into their operations. Click here for information about the Entrepreneurship Award

Idaho Potato Commission Innovation Awards

CAFE is proud to be partnering with the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) once again as they sponsor the Innovation Awards for 2019.

This Award recognizes educators and/or programs at both the secondary and postsecondary levels who have shown to be innovative in their approaches to effective culinary arts education.

Examples of innovations can be in the areas of:

• New programs or
• New delivery methods or
• New partnerships or
• New relations with the local community

Click here for more information about the Innovations Award.

Sysco Educator of the Year Award

Thanks to Sysco for again sponsoring the Educator of the Year Award for 2019! This award is open to secondary and postsecondary educators as well as culinary educators working within the non-profit training sector. There will be two awards given.

The Committee will be looking for:

• a description of methodologies that exemplify innovative teaching techniques. Give examples.
• evidence of the educator’s professional commitment to the educational community and foodservice industry which might include school committee work, professional networking, and community involvement.
• a resume with the application.
• descriptions of ongoing professional development in both instructional and technical skills in the last few years.
• overall evidence that the educator has proven leadership in his/her profession; examples may include peer reviews, student evaluations, letters of recommendation, certificates and honors received, etc.

For more information about the Educator of the Year Awards, click here.

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 15-17, 2019

Deans and Directors Retreat, Charleston, SC

June 20-22, 2019
15th Annual CAFE Leadership Conference, Charlotte, NC