That’s why CAFÉ and Kendall College joined together three years ago to establish the CAFÉ/Kendall Green Award that recognizes innovation in teaching sustainability and helps build the body of knowledge for all educators. The first national award of its kind, all secondary and postsecondary culinary-arts and baking/pastry programs are eligible to enter. Entries will be judged based the level of innovation; perceived impact on students’ understanding of sustainability practices and their importance; and the ease with which elements of the winning program can be implemented by other culinary programs nationwide.

Entries are now being accepted through April 1 for the third-annual award. In addition to the award, Kendall College will present the recipient with a $1,000 cash prize plus complimentary registration to the CAFÉ Leadership Conference, June 23-25 at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I.

The recipient of the 2010 CAFÉ/Kendall Green Award was Faith Jennetta, program coordinator and baking instructor for the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD), a high school located in Addison, Ill. She was recognized for her tilapia aquaculture project at TCD. An interdepartmental learning experience that includes both culinary and landscape students, the program provides practical experience in aquaculture, fish butchery and cookery. The entire program is taught under the school’s guiding principle, “Be respectful of food, the environment and each other.”

Sustainability is a guiding principle at TCD. Each TCD student attends classes on the reasons and benefits of living an earth-friendly life. Students are asked to provide their input and help set new sustainability goals for the year. Sustainability also is interwoven throughout the curriculum in areas such as purchasing, farming, labor and field trips.

Full information about award criteria and the application process can be found at AWARD INFORMATION. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2011, and the winner will be notified by May 1, 2011.

Christopher Koetke, CEC, CCE, is dean of Kendall College’s School of Culinary Arts and vice president of Laureate International Universities Center of Excellence in Culinary Arts. Kendall College sponsors the annual CAFÉ/Kendall Green Award.