Would you rather teach a knife skills class with dull knives or win $1,000? The answers to some questions are obvious. Who wouldn’t take the potential cash? The “would you rather” scenario may not be as hypothetical as you think.
Cash prizes of $1,000 are on the table for instructors who would rather spend a few minutes creating an application highlighting achievements in the areas of:
- foodservice technology
- innovative culinary instruction
- entrepreneurship
- community outreach
- professional commitment to culinary arts instruction.
There is an additional award for a culinary student who would rather talk about their culinary career aspirations to win not only $1,000 but also an all-expense-paid Idaho potato farm tour this fall.
As an added bonus – like the Ginsu knives “But wait, there’s more” - the instructor who would rather earn $1,000 for foodservice technology also receives airfare, lodging, meals and ground transportation to attend a three-day foodservice technology workshop compliments of RATIONAL USA. All this for the low, low price of time in completing a technology application.
But wait, there’s more! Cue the additional incentive for all culinary instructor award winners to also receive a free conference registration, valued at $449, to the 2026 CAFÉ Leadership Conference.
Cut through the “would you rather” choices and easily decide to fill out a CAFÉ Scholarship and Award application today. Time is running out as the deadline for applications is April 1, 2026.
Find out more about each award by clicking here:
Technology Award
Innovation Award
Entrepreneurship Award
Community Outreach Award
Student of the Year Award
Educator of the Year Awards
Brought to you by the Center for Foodservice Education, who serves as a link between the foodservice industry and the culinary/baking/pastry classroom, and our sponsors.