Metz receives Hurst Lifetime Achievement award

Ferdinand E. Metz, CMC, AAC, world global master chef (WGMC), hall of fame (HOF), received the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) 2010 Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement in Education Award during NRAEF's Salute to Excellence event at the Hilton Chicago on May 22. Metz is the president emeritus of The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y.; managing partner of The Master Chefs' Institute; and co-owner of Ferdinand Metz Culinary Innovations LLC.

(l to r) Ferdinand E. Metz, CMC, WGMC, AAC, HOF, accepts the Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement in Education Award from NRAEF trustee Jeff Berlind at the NRAEF Salute to Excellence gala

The Michael E. Hurst Lifetime of Achievement in Education Award was established in 2002 to honor outstanding educators who have made an invaluable contribution to restaurant and foodservice education. The award recognizes Metz's passion and enthusiasm for education and support for the educational initiatives of NRAEF as well as his integrity and positive influence throughout his career as a foodservice professional.

Metz was instrumental in establishing the chefs' apprenticeship, certification and master chefs' certification program in America in the mid 1970s, and he has led the United States' "culinary Olympic" team to three consecutive world championships. He also served for four years as president of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and was the first certified master chef. Among the awards he's received are the Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America by the James Beard Foundation and the Medal of the French Republic and Maître D' Honneur by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.