What are your students learning, through various applied technologies in your teaching kitchen(s)?
This Award is sponsored by RATIONAL, who is proud to work alongside educators and to recognize their efforts instructing students at the exciting intersection of technology, culinary arts and sciences.
The Award is $1,000 and a trip to the Three-day Foodservice Technology Workshop at RATIONAL’s Culinary Experience Center in Rolling Meadows, IL. Airfare, lodging, ground transportation from O’Hare and meals during the workshop are provided. Must be an active Culinary Educator at Secondary or post-Secondary school. The winner will also be given a complimentary registration to the CAFÉ Leadership Conference in June 2026 in Chicago Illinois.
Click on link below to learn about the RATIONAL Partners in Education program:
https://www.rational-online.com/en_us/industry/catering-in-education-c/partner-in-education/
What are your efforts and successes in the area of applied technique using modern kitchen instruments and equipment?
Award Guidelines:
- Open to individuals and all culinary programs.
- Open to all secondary and post-secondary schools.
- Entries judged in the areas of quality of design, applicability, replicability, impact upon the college and community, and thoughtful innovation in practice and technique.
- Applications should include examples of how you are utilizing modern instruments, smart appliances and/or cutting-edge kitchen tech as part of your food item or menu production, targeting ANY food segment audience…from retail foods to fine dining!
- Past winners may reapply each year for new initiatives or awards.
Application should include:
- Contact information, including name, address, school, email, and phone. (See the Application Cover Sheet provided).
- Description of accomplishment(s)
- Documentation illustrating the effort.
- Measurement of the success of this idea/initiative/effort
- Written permission with these materials that CAFÉ may use any of the information submitted in publicity about the award.
Deadline to submit is April 1, 2026. Winner will be notified in writing 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 Technology Award Application 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..