School Headlines

June 30, 2010

NAIT Culinary Arts staff win national awards

Perry Michetti, associate dean of the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, has been recognized as Outstanding Member of the Year by the Canadian Culinary Federation. The CCF recognizes outstanding individuals on a yearly basis with awards, and this year three of NAIT’s best were recognized.

Perry has been a member of the CCF for 12 years, and is the administrator of the Certified Chef de Cuisine program. The award recognizes an individual’s contributions to the profession and to industry.

Stanley Townsend, program chair of the Culinary Arts program, won the President’s Award in recognition of his dedication to introducing culinary arts to youth. In his position as program chair, he has taken on the role of connecting with high schools, being involved in competitions and raising the profile of the high school challenge.

Debra Poulin, a recent Culinary Arts graduate, was recognized as Outstanding Junior Member of the Year. Debra is the junior membership coordinator for the CCF and in the last year has increased junior membership from a very small number to the largest junior membership in Canada. (Junior membership in the CCF includes culinary students and apprentices).

Canadian Culinary Federation

The CCF is the professional organization for chefs and hospitality workers in Canada. It was established in 1960 by chefs in Edmonton, and by 1963 it was a national organization. There are branches all across Canada, and this year the Edmonton branch is officially the largest.

The Canadian Culinary Institute, an arm of the CCF, manages the Certified Chef de Cuisine program, which is the mastery level of chef training in Canada and a program we offer at NAIT. Essentially, it’s a Master’s degree in culinary arts and the highest culinary designation in Canada.  To be eligible to apply for the program, one must have a culinary diploma, a Red Seal designation, and a minimum of 5 years experience in a managerial position as a chef.

There are about 250 active Certified Chefs de Cuisine in Canada. Perry is one of four NAIT culinary instructors who are Certified Chefs de Cuisine.