CAFÉ Update February 9, 2026
09 February 2026Watch the CAFÉ website for video presentations from and about our partners. They are the reason we can fulfill our mission statement:
CAFÉ’s goal is to link the foodservice industry with the foodservice classroom.
What will these short (5-10 minutes) information videos provide?
- Who they are?
- What is new with their industry?
- What is coming up next with their industry?
- What can they offer attendees at the InfoFair table in Chicago?
- And finally, an invitation to meet in person at the conference.
Relationships are what form our industry’s path forward. Your knowledge of what these partners can provide to help you better prepare your students for their careers is a worthwhile goal!
Join us in Chicago, June 22-25 and meet these partners in person! We call them partners for a reason!!
Executive Editor, Gold Medal Classroom
President, Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education
Master Class Information – Chocolate and Pizza
Click here, for genaral conference information and registration links.
The hotel accommodations is the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. We will be in walking distance (0.7 mi) to the S. Michigan Avenue campus of Kendall College.
The Hotel is located in a perfect area to explore and enjoy Chicago and its riverfront, great restaurants, outdoor art and more!
For hotel registration information, click here.
2026 CAFÉ Award Information
The information on the 2026 CAFÉ Awards is now available on our website.
To view all awards go to cafemeetingplace.com/scholarship-awards.
2026 Educator of the Year Award (Secondary & Postsecondary)
2026 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 4th annual Student of the Year Award.
Deadline for applications: April 1, 2026
Have you checked out CAFÉ Talks Podcast?
Our host, Paul Sorgule has spearheaded this podcast and has done a wonderful job. He has interviewed over 100 of the most influential people in education, culinary classrooms, the foodservice industry, leadership, innovation, culinary history, and management – there is something for everyone to relish and use.
Have you thought about integrating the CAFÉ Talks Podcast into your student curriculum for an assignment? Have you thought "I really wish I could remember which podcast pertained to a certain subject?"
Paul Sorgule, has created an organized chart that demonstrates where each interview might apply in your classrooms as assignments or a point of reference for faculty.
Click here to download your copy of the chart.
We could not have produced this podcast series if it wasn't for our sponsors who we thank very much for their continued support of CAFÉ.
For our complete lineup of podcast or to subscribe, go to www.CafeMeetingPlace.com/cafe-podcasts.
For video peeks of our launched episodes, go to our Facebook page, CafeMeetingPlace.
Mary Petersen, President, CAFÉ; Executive Editor, The Gold Medal Classroom
(410) 268-5542 (office)
(443) 994-8228 (cell)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lisa Parrish, Editor, The Gold Medal Classroom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mary Young, Administrative Assistant
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paul Sorgule, Host, CAFETalks Podcast
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.