The Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education selected Michael Carmel, Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College instructor and coordinator, to receive the 2026 Champion award. This national honor recognizes his contribution to CAFÉ and dedication to the culinary arts field and the next generation of hospitality career seekers.

Chef Carmel has over 40 years’ experience as an industry chef and educator in post-secondary education. He has served as a chef educator and culinary director at culinary schools in Chicago, Orlando and South Carolina. He leads education seminars around the country and works with chefs and culinary educators throughout the world, teaching and developing culinary curriculum. 

CAFÉ President Mary Petersen said, “I am so grateful for the support and encouragement of engaged educational partners like Michael Carmel. His commitment to culinary education and its delivery, relevance and outreach is inspiring.” 

The Culinary Institute of Charleston instructor and former department head has created numerous innovative community partnerships. For example, Chef Carmel connected students with a local aquarium and its Good Catch program. The goal was to teach students butchery skills with sustainably caught, locally sourced seafood. Then, the cooked seafood was donated to a local food bank serving nearly 5,000 food-insecure community members.

Chef Carmel gives to the community, and the community responds in kind. He oversaw two fundraising events serving more than 1,000 people that helped raise over $1 million for student scholarships in a single year.

This culinarian’s commitment to students knows no boundaries. From helping students fundraise for his study abroad trips to introducing them to global chefs, Chef Carmel’s global culinary perspective has enriched his students and helped forge the next generation of culinary leaders. 

Chef Carmel earned the Idaho Potato Commission and CAFÉ Postsecondary Educator of the Year award in 2024 and hosted CAFÉ’s 2023 Leadership Conference.

Click here to go back to the 2026 CAFÉ award recipients list.