Elizabeth DeRose, Director of the Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute at Frederick Community College, received the 2025 Technology Award from RATIONAL USA and the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education. The national award recognized individuals who successfully introduced technology into their culinary program.
DeRose applied for and received a Perkins grant that included funds to purchase and install new Rational iCombi Pro ovens. This addition increased her program’s menu flexibility, recipe accuracy and consistency and production efficiency. She added advanced audio-visual technology further upgrading the technological capacity of the kitchens. Incorporating this technology has influenced other programs in the area and promoted collaboration with other culinary partners.
The 2025 Technology Award provided DeRose with a $1,000 cash prize and commemorative plaque. Additionally, she received a complimentary registration attend CAFÉ’s 2025 Leadership Conference held this summer in Pittsburgh.
Click here to go back to the 2025 CAFÉ award recipients list.