Food and beverage executive Fernando Salazar was named the new managing director of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), San Antonio, effective June 1. He replaced David Kellaway, CMC, managing director for the past five years, who relocated to Colorado.

Salazar has been involved with the CIA for several years, serving on the executive committee of the college’s Latin Cuisines Advisory Council and presenting at several of its thought-leadership conferences. He was commencement speaker at the CIA's New York campus in 2010.

Salazar comes to the CIA from Wyndham Hotels and Resorts where, since 2007, he was vice president for food and beverage and vice president of operations for Latin America. From 1996 to 2007, he held several management positions with Omni Hotels and Resorts, including director of operations for the Omni Colonnade in San Antonio and vice president for food and beverage for the entire company.

His career in food and beverage management began in 1975 as restaurant manager with Helmsley Hotels at the St. Moritz in New York City, and continued with more than a decade at Westin Hotels.

Strawberries are a favorite of American diners, and operators across the country—from quick-service venues to fine-dining restaurants—use strawberries on menus in every daypart to generate orders. Guaranteed to appeal, California strawberries enhance and add value to salads, appetizers, desserts, beverages, sauces and condiments.

With such broad popularity, the California Strawberry Commission knows there are thousands of signature strawberry items on menus waiting to be discovered. So, the commission is asking foodservice pros to take a photo of their favorite strawberry dish to share—in their own operations or when dining out.

Simply take a photo of the strawberry item, then e-mail it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, the name of the dish and the name of the restaurant. Even easier, you can also post on social media using #strawberryspotting. In exchange, each month through October 30, 2015, the California Strawberry Commission will select a favorite photo, publicize it on the website and in its operator newsletter, and send a berry nice gift in appreciation. Let the strawberry snapping begin!

The Club Foundation, based in Alexandria, Va., is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2015 Joe Perdue Scholarship:

• Kaitlyn Ellis, Kansas State University
• Julie Fewer, Niagara University
• Patrick Sears, University of Delaware
• Amanda Tidwell, Niagara University
• Sarah Wendee, California Polytechnic State University

Foodie culture continues to marinate in U.S. cities, along with its various cousins the farm-to-table and craft-beer movements. Many cities are encouraging restaurant districts and boutique eating, and reaping the benefits.

With this in mind, Livability.com has named the Top 10 Best Foodie Cities, 2015. These cities strongly support local farmers, showcase regional cuisine and provide residents with an innovative and eclectic mix of restaurants and delicious food to eat.

CAFÉ’s president, editor-in-chief of “Gold Medal Classroom,” reports on an important keynote presentation at the 11^th-annual Leadership Conference in Niagara Falls, N.Y., in June.

By Mary Petersen

Chef Christian De Vos (pictured), vice president of Food & Beverage and Guest Services for Delaware North Parks & Resorts based in Buffalo, N.Y., addressed attendees of the 2015 CAFÉ Leadership Conference at Niagara Falls Culinary Institute with a keynote presentation on June 20.

Three educators earned recognition and professional development for unleashing creativity in the culinary classroom at the 11th-annual CAFÉ Leadership Conference

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) recognized secondary and postsecondary educators with the 2015 Idaho Potato Commission Innovation Awards at the 11th-annual Leadership Conference of the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ) in Niagara Falls, N.Y., in June.

According to the CIA-Harvard 2015 Menus of Change Annual Report, innovation and plant-forward menus are on the rise, but so are consumer confusion and climate and water impacts.

The 2015 Menus of Change Annual Report was released at the 3rd Annual Menus of Change® Leadership Summit, held for the first time at the Hyde Park, N.Y., campus of The Culinary Institute of America, which presents the initiative in partnership with Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.

To fully harness the power of restaurant information, operators must first identify where they are on the learning curve and then plot a course to progress along it. While most operators aren’t behind the curve compared to their competition just yet, the landscape is changing, and playing offense is better than defense.

The North American Olive Oil Association launches a consumer initiative to boost the comparatively low—but greatly improved—per-capita U.S. consumption of 1 liter of olive oil per year.