There will be two cash awards given in addition to a complimentary registration to the 2025 CAFÉ Leadership Conference in June 2025 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Deadline for the Award Application is April 1, 2025. Winners will be notified no later than May 1, 2025, and will each receive $1,000. Thank you to Idaho Potato Commission for their ongoing support of culinary educators!

Award Guidelines:

• Open to individuals and all culinary programs
• Open to secondary and post-secondary schools
• Entries judged in the areas of quality of design, applicability, replicability, impact upon the college and community, and thoughtful innovation in practice and technique.
• Past winners may reapply each year for new initiatives or awards.

Application should include:

• Contact information, including name, address, school, email, and phone. (See Application Cover Sheet provided).
• Provide 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.
• Include a resume with the application.
• Provide descriptions of ongoing professional development in both instructional and technical skills in the last few years.
• Describe 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.
• Written permission with these materials that CAFÉ may use any of the information submitted in publicity about the award.

Deadline to submit is April 1, 2025.

To apply, send your electronic application with cover sheet and supporting documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put 2025 Educator of the Year Application in the subject line.

Any questions, contact Mary Petersen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..