“What’s your Womango story?”

Mangos have appeared in global foodways dating back as far as 400 A.D., so it’s no wonder that they are a culinary staple, a satisfying comfort food, a symbol of friendship and love, and a fruit that inspires passion among the women who grow them and those who cook with them.

The National Mango Board celebrates the achievements of women in foodservice that push the boundaries of what’s possible, and invites you to share your first Womango encounter, most amazing mango experience, moment of sheer mango happiness, favorite mango recipe, or burning question about mangos.

Now for a dash of creativity: send your entry in the form of an anecdote, a poem, a tale, a limerick, a sketch or a drawing.

Two Womango winners, selected in a random drawing, will each be awarded one registration for the 2020 CAFÉ Annual Leadership Conference. Enter here by 11:59 p.m. on April 2, 2020. Winners will be notified by April 8.

Master Classes Update

As part of the Leadership Conference, we offer additional “master classes” for attendees at the cost of $25. This year is exceptional as we have special experiences for our group.

The Maine Lobster Board is offering to take folks out on a lobster boat to see and hear about what that experience is all about. The 3 p.m boat is full; however, we have 9 seats left on the 3:30 p.m. boat.

The Shipyard Brewery and CA Milk Advisory Board are offering an afternoon special brewery tour and then pairing experience. There are 10 places left for that experience.

Guittard Chocolate is offering two levels of hands on chocolate classes: beginners in the morning and a more advanced class in the afternoon. There are 10 spots left in the morning and 15 spots for the afternoon class.

Can you do more than one? If you are attending the morning chocolate class, yes, you will have the opportunity to sign up for one of the afternoon experiences, space available.

Don’t miss these great experiences!

Register here for the conference (including the master classes).

Gold Medal Classroom

Did you see the March issue of “The Gold Medal Classroom”? Features, columns, breaking news, and information on classroom resources.

Click here for the latest issue.

Deadline for CAFÉ Awards

April 1st! Don’t miss this opportunity to describe and promote what you are doing in terms of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability. And don’t forget to apply for the Educator of the Year recognition.

Click here for more information.

IMPORTANT DATES

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.