Chef Amanda Miller accepting the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Community Outreach Award on behalf of the CIM
The Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM), a division of Baker College, was recently awarded several honors by CAFÉ, the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education, for the College’s community outreach programming and student and faculty achievements.
The national industry organization honored CIM with its Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Community Outreach Award. Additionally, CAFÉ, in partnership with the Idaho Potato Commission, selected CIM Student, Gage Hess, as CAFÉ’s first-ever Student of the Year. CIM Instructor, Chef Justin Kinziger, earned Postsecondary Educator of the Year Honorable Mention.
The Community Outreach Award, which included a $1,000 prize, was submitted by CIM Program Director, Jamie Leroux, who provided several instances of the school’s commitment to giving back to West Michigan communities. Examples include the CIM’s ongoing event and fundraising support for Every Woman’s Place, a Muskegon County nonprofit organization that provides safe shelter, counseling, advocacy and supportive services to women and children surviving domestic and sexual violence. Other local nonprofit organizations that benefit from CIM Muskegon’s support include Kids Food Basket in Grand Rapids, Rotary Club of Muskegon and several local veterans organizations.
CIM students also volunteer their time and expertise to support community culinary arts events, including the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival and the Taste of Muskegon. Additionally, in conjunction with CIM staff, students regularly lend their talents to support other area nonprofits, like a volunteer project baking 200 cookies for a cookie swap fundraiser for United Way.
“The Culinary Institute of Michigan is committed to giving back to our neighbors in West Michigan,” said Leroux. “We aim to involve our students in diverse community projects that benefit both their educational pursuits, and the communities where we all live, work and learn.”
Two individuals from CIM Muskegon also were recognized by CAFÉ, Gage Hess and Chef Justin Kinziger. Hess, who is pursuing his degree in Culinary Arts, was named CAFÉ’s first-ever Student of the Year, receiving a $1,000 scholarship prize and an upcoming October trip to the annual Idaho potato harvest.
CIM Instructor, Chef Justin Kinziger, earned an honorable mention in CAFÉ’s 2022 Postsecondary Educator of the Year honors. In addition to his work in the culinary classrooms, Kinziger also serves as American Culinary Federation Western Michigan Lakeshore Chapter President, and leads CIM’s sustainability committee.
About the Culinary Institute of Michigan
The award-winning Culinary Institute of Michigan, a division of Baker College, offers associate degree programs focused on some of the fastest-growing areas of food service. CIM students, who can study culinary arts, baking and pastry or food and beverage management, learn from experienced industry professionals and develop technical skills through intensive hands-on training in world-class culinary facilities. Student chefs also gain real-world experience working at Courses, a teaching restaurant, open to the public and located on each CIM campus. For more information on the Culinary Institute of Michigan, visit www.baker.edu/CIM or follow CIM on Facebook and Twitter.
About Baker College
Founded in 1911, Baker College is one of Michigan’s largest, private nonprofit colleges and the top private transfer school in the state. Baker College has multiple on-ground campus locations and two affiliate sites across the state, as well as an online global campus offering more than 40 academic program options for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Learn more at www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.