Danny Meyer receives honorary doctorate from JWU

New York restaurateur Danny Meyer received an honorary doctorate of business administration in hospitality management at Johnson & Wales University's (JWU) commencement ceremonies, held May 22 at the Providence, R.I., campus. Meyer, who is the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), also gave the keynote address to the 747 graduates from the College of Culinary Arts and The Hospitality College.

(l to r) Danny Meyer with JWU president John J. Bowen

"Among the choices you can make, choose to work in an establishment that is committed to treating its employees and community as well as it treats its guests," he told graduates. "And become a part of that uplifting relationship-building energy. Choose to view hospitality as a team sport."

Danny Meyer addresses JWU graduates.

Meyer's New York-based USHG includes Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke & Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 at the Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taqueria and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, as well as Union Square Events (formerly known as Hudson Yards).

Pastry Chicago to host 2nd annual Ice Cream Social

Pastry Chicago's Pastry Chicago's Second Annual Ice Cream Social will take place July 17 at Esperanza Community Services' Summerfest. Guests can enjoy samples of different ice cream flavors from The French Pastry School and other Chicago vendors at the event, which is open to the public.

The Esperanza Summerfest will benefit the Esperanza School by providing students with developmental disabilities, autism and emotional disturbance with access to adaptive educational software and resources. All donations will benefit Esperanza School.

For more information, visit www.pastrychicago.org/SecondAnnualIceCreamSocial.htm.

HR associate professor new Cornell Hospitality Quarterly editor

J. Bruce Tracey, associate professor of human resources management at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, has been named the new editor of the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly (CQ). His three-year term as editor begins July 1. Tracey (pictured, right) succeeds Linda Canina, also an associate professor at Cornell.

Now in its 50th year of publication, the CQ is a journal of applied research on the hospitality industry. As editor, Tracey is responsible for directing the course of the journal and overseeing the CQ's double-blind review process.

"I am very excited about taking on this new role and working with the CQ's many excellent authors," said Tracey in a statement. "I greatly appreciate the work of my predecessor, Linda Canina, who approached the journal with an eye for innovation and enhancing the journal's position. My goal is to build on Linda's efforts and those of the previous editors to publish articles that are based on rigorous research and have direct applicability to the industry."

For more information, visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu.

AI Cincinnati culinary grads showcase their work

Culinary and baking and pastry students from the Art Institute of Ohio--Cincinnati (AI) joined AI students from other programs to show their portfolios highlighting their skill during a portfolio show on graduation day, June 18. That evening, students from all AI programs attended a graduation ceremony featuring Jenn Jordan from Q102 the as keynote speaker.

Baking and pastry graduate Cynthia Boles displays her work at the portfolio show. Boles also was a student speaker at the graduation ceremony.

The Art Institute of Ohio--Cincinnati offers a bachelor's degree program in culinary management, an associate degree in culinary arts and a diploma in baking and pastry. To learn more, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/cincinnati.

Piantedosi Baking co-owner wins MRAEF Leadership Award

At the annual Massachusetts Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (MRAEF) Making the Future Bright Scholarship Awards Gala in May, MRAEF gave the MRAEF Leadership Award to Joseph "Joe" Piantedosi Jr. of Piantedosi Baking Co. Inc. Each year, MRAEF scholarship recipients are honored at the annual Making the Future Bright Scholarship Awards Gala. During the event, the MRAEF also gives out the Leadership Award to a person who has provided the foundation with longstanding support.

Piantedosi is the executive vice president of marketing and business development, as well as co-owner with his two cousins of Piantedosi Baking Co. He is an active member of the MRA, having been a past president of the MRAEF and current board member. He was this year's MRA Trade Show committee chairman, past chairman of the associate member committee, and has been a member of various additional committees for the organization.

"I was honored and humbled to receive this award," Piantedosi said in a statement. "This is such a great thing, to raise money for these kids. They are the future of our industry. This really wasn't about me, it was about them. It’s always such a feel-good night."

Since 2001, the MRAEF has awarded scholarships to qualified students who are embarking on futures in the foodservice industry. For more information, visit www.marestaurantassoc.org/education.

NRAEF Salute to Excellence attendees raise $400k

At the 23rd annual National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Salute to Excellence gala, industry leaders in attendance raised more than $400,000 to benefit the NRAEF's youth career development programs. The event, which took place May 22 to kick of the 2010 NRA Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, honored foodservice dignitaries, students and educators.

National ProStart Invitational culinary winners from Kansas prepare their winning appetizer for the Salute to Excellence reception

Among the awards presented during the event were the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award, which went to S. Truett Cathy, founder, chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A Inc.; the James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award, which went to ProStart educators Bonita Curtis of Fairmont Heights High School, Capitol Heights, Md., and Judy Uerling of Clovis High School, Clovis, N.M.the Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Ferdinand E. Metz, CMC, AAC, world global master chef (WGMC), hall of fame (HOF). (Read about Metz winning the award here.)

(l to r) Judy Irwin, vice president of human resources and training at Golden Corral, presents ProStart educators Bonita Curtis of Fairmont Heights High School, Capitol Heights, Md., and Judy Uerling of Clovis High School, Clovis, N.M. with the James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award. The teachers also each received a $5,000 cash prize.

The NRAEF also inducted several individuals into its College of Diplomates. The 2010 Diplomates inductees are:

• Jerald W. Chesser, Ed.D, CEC, FMP, CCE, AAC, professor, The Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• Alice Elliot, CPC, founder and CEO, The Elliot Group LLC
• Denise Marie Fugo, FMP, chair and CEO, Sammy's
  

AHLEI honors hospitality education leaders

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) named the 2010 winners of its awards for champions of hospitality training and education. The winners were honored at the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Summer Summit during the AH&LA Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon on June 16.

And the winners are:

• Arthur Landstreet Award for a lasting impact on hospitality training and education. Consultant Jay S. Witzel, CHA, former president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide
• Anthony G. Marshall Award for long-term contributions to educating future leaders in hospitality. Richard Ghiselli, Ph.D., associate professor at the Purdue University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

AHLEI presented four Lamp of Knowledge Awards for commitment to advancing the quality of professionalism and education in the hospitality industry. The winners are:

• Outstanding Educator (International). Ramesh Takulia, CHE, director, learning and development, luxury division, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, India;
• Outstanding Educator (U.S.). Jennifer Calhoun, CHE, assistant professor and director for the Hospitality and Tourism Institute at Prince George's Community College, Largo, Md.;
• Outstanding Educator (High School). Todd Nakayama, Waipahu High School, Waipahu, Hawaii; and
• Outstanding Student (Distance Learning). Siddhi Khajuria, food and beverage manager, Imperial Palace Hotel, Rajkot, India.

"The foundation for every individual or company success in our industry begins with great teachers, educators and mentors," said Robert L. Steele III, CHA, president and COO of AHLEI, during the awards ceremony. "That is why we take the opportunity to recognize and honor these educators today."