Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) at Baker College Program Director Jamie LeRoux received the 2022 Community Outreach Award from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education. During the conference, CIM Chef Instructor Amanda Miller accepted the award from Kathleen Vossenberg, vice president of academic affairs at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, on behalf of LeRoux.

The national award recognizes a culinary/hospitality program or individuals making a positive impact in their community via outreach programs such as food banks, recycling efforts, skill development for the disadvantaged and other services.

The CIM earned the Community Outreach Award for its commitment to investing in Western Michigan communities through diverse outreach programs. Students involved in the projects were instilled with an understanding of how to give back to their communities. The following are just a sampling of the school’s activities:

• Students participated in the Midwest’s largest wine, beer and food festival. International vendors showcased their products and CIM students volunteered to help these vendors. This past year over 50 students worked in the event.

• Every year the CIM hosts “Cheers and Chocolate” and partners with the nonprofit organization, Every Woman’s Place. Through this event, students volunteer their culinary skills to create food, pastries, and chocolates for the guests. The event on average earns $50,000 in revenue. Proceeds help support the domestic abuse survivor benefits offered by Every Woman’s Place.

• United Way: the students and staff donated 200 cookies to a cookie swap fundraiser to help the organization achieve its fundraising goals.

• Students volunteered at the local Taste of Muskegon event and were paired with local restaurants and businesses to assist during the festival.

• The CIM hosted a Soul Food Cooking Experience, through the local American Culinary Federation chapter in conjunction with the locally owned Soul Food Eatery.

CIM students also honored veterans with food, celebrated Hispanic Heritage month, supported voter registration drives, bit into Michigan-grown apples as part of an agriculture promotion, baked goods for the local homeless shelter and picked up trash for Earth Day, to support the local Muskegon community.