A Life Source for Academia: The New Student Growth Paradigm

With the decline in enrollment for culinary programs across the country, schools are scrambling to find new solutions to maintain student enrollment and eek out growth possibilities. Look no further … non-credit continuing education can be the answer. This seminar will delve into various opportunities for academic programs, in the arena of continuing education; with a proven strategy that has helped to add student growth and program stability. A step by step plan will laid out for attendees to use as a template for their own programs.

This topic and discussion will be led by Chef Michael Carmel from Charleston, South Carolina.

Chef Carmel has over 40 years’ experience as an industry chef and educator in post-secondary education. Chef Carmel received his culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America and earned a Masters in Adult Education from National Louis University. He has been a chef educator and culinary director at culinary schools throughout Chicago and Orlando and is presently the Department Head at the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC since 2006. He leads education seminars throughout the country and works with chefs and culinary educators throughout the world teaching and developing culinary curriculum. He is a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Educator with the American Culinary Federation; and has served as national chair of the ACF Education Foundation.

Click here for an outline of the conference, registration, and hotel information.

Discounts for Instructors for the Conference

• FREE if you are an Award winner (click here to see the Award listings)
• $100 off the registration fee if you are a presenter
• $25 off the registration fee if you are a member

2020 CAFÉ Membership

If you wish to join CAFÉ (for $50 per year), please click here.
If you wish to renew your membership, log in to your account after 12/31/19 and then visit this page.

Are You Looking to Publish?

The Journal for Culinary Arts Education Best Practices is looking for writers. Dr. Jean Hertzman will be happy to send you the guidelines. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Job Postings?

If you have job openings at your institution, CAFÉ is happy to publish them for FREE on our Job Board. Please send the info to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Classroom Resources?

Have you checked out our amazing, one-of-a-kind listing of resources for your classroom use? Click here to see almost 100 industry websites in multiple categories.

School News?

Do you have some school news to share with other educators throughout the country? Each month in our issue of The Gold Medal Classroom we try to feature stories about our classrooms and their instructors. Reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have news to share.

IMPORTANT DATES

Cut Off Date for Deans and Directors Hotel
February 27, 2020

Deans and Directors Retreat
“A Case for Change”
March 13-15, 2020, New Orleans

Applications Due for CAFE Awards
April 1, 2020

Awards Announced
May 1, 2020

Cut off Date for Leadership Conference Hotel
May 16, 2020

16th Annual CAFE Leadership Conference
“Innovations and Inspirations”
June 17-19, 2020, Portland, Maine

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 2020.

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 2020! 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.