ACF awards first Certified Junior Culinarian designations

The American Culinary Federation awarded high school students Alveon Dixon, Stephen Kerpelman and Jessica Martinez the Certified Junior Culinarian (CJC) designation. These students are dual enrolled at the Center of Applied Technology (CAT) in Severn, Md., and Arundel High School, Gambills, Md.

The CJC designation indicates to culinary industry and post-secondary educational institutions that the student has completed a culinary arts program and has passed the required competencies of the program.

Collectively, Dixon, Kerpelman and Martinez have been awarded more than $100,000 in scholarship money for their post-secondary education. They also have earned recognition in high academic achievement, civic activity, extracurricular work and competitions. They are the only three students out of 11 in the CAT culinary arts program who have met all the requirements for the CJC designation.

"These students have excelled in an environment in which students apply theory and knowledge toward skills proficiency and practice safe work habits and professional ethics," said Bruce Davis, CAT culinary arts instructor, in a statement.

ADDED 3/18/09: For more information on the secondary certification and the CJC accreditation process, visit the ACF Web site.