One of our keynoters for the Leadership Conference is Chef Christopher Koetke, CEC CCE HAAC. He is currently the Corporate Executive Chef at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.

According to Chef Koetke, "adapting to the future is essential for education to be relevant and successful. Niching out what change looks like is the challenge. Chef Koetke will draw on decades of international culinary education experience and more decades of culinary experience throughout the culinary spectrum to acknowledge the past, assess the present, and most importantly look into a globally interconnected future."

CAFÉ is happy to have Chef Koetke as a keynoter for our 2025 conference.

Mary Petersen
Executive Editor, Gold Medal Classroom
President, Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education

ONE WEEK TO GO TO ENTER NMB CONTEST

THINK OUT OF THE CARTON WITH FRESH MANGO

The National Mango Board is offering two (2) full registrations to the 2025 CAFÉ Leadership Conference. 

All you have to do is:

• Send in an idea for how you would use or do use fresh mango in one of your classes.

• Write a paragraph explaining your idea and why it is or would be a perfect fit for that class.

• Include your name, school name, shipping address, phone number, and email address.

• Email your idea(s) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with “Mango Ideation” in the subject line.

• Deadline is December 10, 2024

• We'll be drawing two registrations by December 13, 2024 

• Two (2) winners will each receive one (1) full registration for the 2025 CAFÉ Leadership Conference, (Winners are responsible for their own travel and hotel expenses.)

• Contest is open to secondary and post-secondary foodservice instructors. 

• Everyone who enters (and lives in the United States) receives a thank you gift.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION ABOUT FRESH MANGO ON THE MENU

Visit our Mango Foodservice Hub to jumpstart your thinking and be inspired by a whole host of Mango Facts!

Click here to print a copy of these contest rules.

2025 CAFÉ AWARD INFORMATION

CAFÉ is excited to announce that the 2025 CAFÉ Awards information are now up on our website.

To view all awards go to cafemeetingplace.com/scholarship-awards.

2025 Educator of the Year (Secondary & Postsecondary)

2025 Technology Award

2025 Community Outreach Award

2025 Entrepreneurship Award

2025 Green Award Information

2025 Student of the Year Award

If you know a fellow teacher that would be great for an award you can nominate them or it is ok to nominate yourself. Just remember you have to apply to win.

Previous applicants and winners are encourage to apply. 

Also, if you have a culinary/hospitality student that would like a wonderful opportunity, the Idaho Potato Commission will be offering their 3rd annual Student of the Year Award.