Kendall's Koetke receives inaugural Excellence in Culinary Education Award from FENI

At the 12th annual Foodservice Educators Network International (FENI) Summit, Christopher Koetke, MBA, CEC, CCE, dean of The School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College, received the inaugural Award for Excellence in Culinary Education. The award recognizes Koetke's accomplishments and leadership in the foodservice educator community and his impact on the field of culinary education.

(l to r) Daniel von Rabenau, executive director of FENI, presents Christopher Koetke, dean of Kendall College's School of Culinary Arts, with the award during the FENI Summit awards reception at Kendall College.*

Koetke has taught at The School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College since January 1998. He was named associate dean of the culinary school in 2002 and dean in 2005. Koetke was certified by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) as an executive chef (CEC) and culinary educator (CCE), and is a board member on ACF's Accrediting Commission, the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, Slow Food Chicago and International Foodservice Editorial Council. He also is a founding board member of the Greater Midwestern Foodways Alliance.

FENI provides a focal point for culinary educators to network and better prepare for those they educate and influence, through Chef Educator Today magazine and the annual FENI Summit. For more information, visit FENI's Web site.

Photo courtesy of Eric Futran*