In curriculum development, although enrollment-management departments like to promote courses that concentrate on attractive ancillary skill sets, insufficient dedication to teaching strong foundational abilities will negatively impact student employability and success.

By Paul Sorgule, MS, AAC

Marketers have long understood that promoting what excites people is the best way to sell a product. The classic mantra has been: “The sizzle sells the steak.” This can be problematic when the steak is sacrificed for the sizzle in an effort to increase sales. Eventually, the customer will become dissatisfied with the results.

Colleges have adopted this classic marketing strategy over the past few decades with significant investments in physical plant and amenities that are far removed from the primary mission of delivering a valuable education. This has, in some cases, even crept into curriculum development.

A collegiate culinary-arts program in South Florida earns top honors for exemplary practices in—and innovative teaching of—ecological sustainability.

The Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ) and Chicago-based Kendall College presented the 2014 CAFÉ/Kendall College Green Award to Miami Culinary Institute (MCI) in Miami, Fla., on June 20 at CAFÉ’s 10th-anniversary national Leadership Conference for foodservice educators, held in metro Salt Lake City.

Karin J. Davis, a chef-instructor and registered sanitarian at Kendall College’s School of Culinary Arts, presented the award, which was accepted by Chef Ana C. Plana, BA, ME, an adjunct culinary instructor at MCI, at CAFÉ’s general-session breakfast at Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus in Sandy, Utah.

The Culinary Institute of America introduces an online learning experience focusing on the “blendability” of mushrooms at ciaprochef.com.

The Culinary Institute of America introduces a free online learning course, “Maximize Meals with Mushrooms!” available at http://www.ciaprochef.com/mushrooms/index.html?source=HomeBanner&segment=Mushrooms. Inspired by the meaty nature of mushrooms, the course highlights the creative potential of mushrooms blended with meat—an idea that boosts flavor, enhances nutrition and saves money.

“Maximize Meals with Mushrooms!”explores this concept of “blendability” in recipes drawn from global kitchens, from Mexico to Italy to China. The e-learning course includes chef-tested recipes, all downloadable and demonstrated in streaming video by CIA chef-instructor Bill Briwa, CEC.

Are you branding your program, public foodservice outlets and catering services effectively? Start with a great logo, which informs branding and drives business.

By Dan Antonelli

Starting or growing a business is an exciting, frustrating, rewarding and arduous experience. It involves many considerations and a careful use of precious resources. In today’s marketplace, establishing a powerful and memorable brand is essential for any company’s success and, while most experts agree what branding is, few give the logo its due respect.

In my experience, a logo sets the stage for all of your strategic messaging. A logo is not just an equal part of a brand, like most experts would indicate. Like a bicycle wheel with many spokes, your branding spokes need to be connected to one central hub. Think of your logo as the hub for your brand and all other iterations of that logo as your spokes.

Logo Design: Look Before You Leap
As discussed, a professional logo serves as a solid foundation for your brand. A great logo conveys expertise, establishes a brand promise and creates an expectation for quality. While many business owners wouldn’t give a second thought to buying a $99 logo, there are some major points you would do well to consider before diving in.

First, make sure it is clear in the logo architecture, because you don’t have the luxury of years of brand recognition to get people to associate your name with your product or service. Likewise, you don’t have the large advertising budget required to brand generic icons that don’t help consumers understand the nature of your business.

Nearly 700 chefs benefit from fourth certification to be approved by the independent NCCA.

The American Culinary Federation’s Certified Culinary Educator^® (CCE^®) credential recently received accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) under the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). This is the fourth professional culinary certification offered by the St. Augustine, Fla.-based ACF that has received independent accreditation.

Credentials are becoming recognized as a growing alternative path for full-time workers wanting to highlight specialized skills for career advancement and higher earnings, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau in January, “Measuring Alternative Education Credentials: 2012.” Thirty-four million adults in the United States have a professional certification from an educational institution or organization.

“As research from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates, professional certification is important to full-time working professionals,” said Don Dickinson, CEC, CCA, AAC, chair, ACF Certification Commission. “With American Culinary Federation’s fourth credential receiving accreditation, we are pleased that our comprehensive certification program continues to grow in credibility and expand in recognition to help professional chefs reach their career goals.”

More than 12,800 chefs and foodservice professionals hold a professional certification from the American Culinary Federation, the largest professional membership organization for chefs in North America. Three other ACF certifications have received outside accreditation from ICE since 2011: Certified Executive Chef^® (CEC^®), Certified Sous Chef^® (CSC^®) and Certified Executive Pastry Chef^® (CEPC^®).