Catering Operations Updates for your Program

Catering Operations Event

October 21-23, 2011, hosted by Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

Why is this Topic Important?

Every foodservice program that I am aware of is involved with some form of catering operations: Buffet Lunches? Special Events? Fund Raisers? Community Outreach?

Ask yourself these questions:

Are these events a viable part of our curriculum?
Am I comfortable with how students are assessed for their participation?
Should we seek to “pick up the pace” to give students more real-world experience?
Am I up to date with my knowledge on trends in catering?
Am I integrating purchasing principles, marketing, effective service, special dietary needs, and other competencies into these events?

If you would like to know more about these topics, plan to be with your peers at the first-ever catering operations workshop in Louisville.

Hotel rates are $89. There is free transportation from/to the airport and hotel. CAFÉ provides you with a welcome reception, two breakfasts, and two lunches, in addition to a chef’s jacket, knife kit, and educational resources. Sullivan University has the only Catering Degree Program in the country.

Lots of good reasons to spend a fall weekend in beautiful Louisville!

Click here for an online registration, agenda, and hotel information.

Last Minute Opportunity for Student Scholarships

GOOD NEWS: Students submit a 500-word essay on the topic “What is a Chef’s Role in the Community?” for the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Share Our Strength’s Conference of Leaders in Baltimore, October 15-17. There are 15 top students who will have the opportunity to meet some of the country’s top chefs as well as assist with Baltimore’s Taste of the Nation Event.

BAD NEWS: Deadline for the applications is September 1, 5 p.m. EST. (Sorry! But we just found out about this!)

HOW DOES ONE APPLY? Submit your application and essay by visiting www.strength.org/cuttingedge

Be sure to let CAFÉ know if any of your students apply! Good luck!

New Opportunity for Culinary Arts Educational Research

There is a new website that is building its resources as a clearinghouse and publisher of culinary arts best practices research. Go to www.culinaryeducation.org and register so that you can read some of the interesting studies that have been submitted.

Currently: “Becoming an Online Teacher of Food Production Management,” authored by Sherri Nordstrom Stastny, PhD, LRD, CSSD, North Dakota State University in addition to “Community College Instructors’ Experiences with Post Baccalaureate Reverse Transfer Students,” authored by Scott R. Smith, PhD, CEC, CCE, Johnson & Wales University.

STAY TUNED FOR THE 2012 CAFÉ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS SCHEDULE!

We will have our 8th Annual Leadership Conference the weekend of June 22nd. And NEW this week! Our Sustainability Symposium Part 2, hosted by Seattle Culinary Academy, July 27-29th.

Other topics are being developed as we speak!

You can see photos from many of our 2011 events (and previous years) by going to http://www.cafemeetingplace.com/2011-events/cafe-event-photo-galleries.html

Best wishes for a wonderful start of the new academic year!

From Your CAFÉ Team: Mary Petersen (President), Brent Frei (Gold Medal Classroom Editor), Camila Garcia (Webmaster), and Nish Hansen (Production Designer).