After two years of preparation – The 1988 New England Team walked away from the competition in Frankfurt, Germany with 19 gold medals, 2 silver, and 1 bronze, numerous perfect scores, and a special gold plaque recognizing the ten members as the best regional team in the world. No other American team since then has ever outperformed this group of chefs – EVER!

The Team has committed to be a part of the conference with highlights being their production of a New England lunch on Thursday, June 18th. In addition, different team members will be part of the Industry Outreach Day serving as presenters in several of the Trends break out sessions.

Posters and books will be on sale during the CAFÉ conference, with members of the team ready to autograph them as well as talk with attendees about competitions and what it takes to bring home the gold.

To register for the Conference, click here!

Wondering How to Renew Your CAFÉ Membership?

1. Log into your account on the CAFÉ website.
2. Go to the drop down “Resource Center" and click on "Membership".
3. Click on Renew button.

New Member?

1. Go to the CAFÉ website and click the drop down “Resource Center”. Then click on "Membership".
2. Click on Sign Up button.
3. Fill out membership information.

New and Improved—Keynoter for Deans and Directors Retreat

Bob Eckert is CEO at New & Improved. He focuses on helping organizations harness and develop the innovative brain power of their people to deliver new and improved results.

Click here for Bob's background and appreciate his guidance in our conference based on “Change.”

There are 4 seats left for educators at the upcoming Retreat. Click here to sign up for this must-attend event for culinary education leaders.

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.

Kendall College Entrepreneurship Award

CAFÉ is proud to be partnering with Kendall College as they sponsor the Entrepreneurship Award for 2020.

This 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.

Submission Guidelines:

• Open to individuals and all culinary programs
• Open to secondary and post-secondary schools
• Include all contact information in your application
• Entries judged in the areas of quality of design, applicability, replicability, stewardship, success in implementation of the project or concept, impact upon the college and community and thoughtful innovation in practice and technique.

For more information, email Mary Petersen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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.

Green Award for 2020

We are pleased to announce that the Green Award will be offered to individuals/culinary programs that emphasize sustainability or other “green” aspects in their programs.

This Award is sponsored by the United Soybean Board who is proud to reach out to educators and to recognize their efforts instructing students in the importance of agriculture in their selection of products and designing of menus.

Past winners have implemented aquaculture farms, gardens, farm-to-table menus, waste reduction and more!

What are your efforts in this area?

The Award is $1,000 plus a complimentary registration to the annual CAFÉ Leadership Conference where the winner will be recognized during the Award Ceremony on June 17th at our host school, Southern Maine Community College in Portland, Maine.

To apply, send your electronic application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put Green Award Application in the subject line. There is no application form, but please use a cover sheet with full contact information.

Deadline to submit is April 1, 2020. Winner will be notified no later than May 1, 2020.

For more information, click here.