Emily Willardson, instructor at Wasatch High School, received the 2026 Community Outreach Award from the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education. The national award recognizes a culinary/hospitality program or individuals making a positive impact in their community via outreach programs and other services.

Willardson exemplifies the spirit of this award through several outreach initiatives that serve her community. One such initiative involved her and her students planning, preparing, and executing a full Thanksgiving meal for 600 community members. This event provides students with hands-on experience planning and executing a large-scale production event.

Wasatch High School culinary students also visited elementary schools where they taught 100 children how to make their own bread loaves through the Kindergarten Bread Making program. Willardson’s students can also be found 

making gingerbread houses to support the Wasatch County Children’s Justice Center, catering teacher appreciation events, and preparing healthy teacher lunches for teachers to purchase. 

Outreach actions are embedded into the Wasatch program, and these service-oriented initiatives uniquely qualify Willardson for this award.

The award provided a $1,000 prize and commemorative plaque. Additionally, Willardson received a complimentary registration to attend CAFÉ’s 2026 Leadership Conference held this summer in Chicago. 

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