Thanks to Real California Milk for sponsoring the Innovation Award for 2026! This Award recognizes educators and/or programs at both the secondary and postsecondary levels who have shown themselves to be innovative in their approaches to effective culinary arts education.
Examples of innovations can be in the areas of:
- New programs or
- New delivery methods or
- New partnerships or
- New relations with the local community.
The Innovation Award winner will receive a check in the amount of $1,000 payable to their program or to an individual or to the charitable event or organizations that they are working with. The winner will also be given a complimentary registration to the 2026 CAFÉ Leadership Conference in June 2026 in Chicago Illinois.
Specific documentation that is suggested/required:
- Contact information, including name, address, school, email, and phone. (See Application Cover Sheet provided).
- A narrative describing how the applicant’s program addresses one or more innovation areas.
- Documentation which could include Catalog and/or course descriptions
- Evaluations of the experiences by students, industry, and educators who are monitoring the program or course
- Testimonials of students and/or industry participants
- Other documents which would show the Committee how these experiences are successfully incorporated
- Written permission with these materials that CAFÉ may use any of the information submitted in publicity about the award.
Deadline for applications is April 1, 2026. Winners will be notified no later than May 1, 2026.
To apply, send your electronic application with cover sheet and supporting documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put 2026 Innovation Award in the subject line.
Any questions, contact Mary Petersen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..