You are here
Educated Eats Honors Visionary Women
Foodservice Monthly // ASSOCIATION NEWS RAMW // Kathy E. Hollinger // December 18, 2018
On a beautiful evening in November, three incredible D.C. women were honored for their dedication and leadership in the areas of workforce development, community support, and job training across the region. The scene was D.C.’s RPM Italian Restaurant, as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s education foundation, Educated Eats, announced its 2018 Educated Eats Culinary Visionary Awards. Founded in 2004, Educated Eats is committed to promoting the restaurant and foodservice industry as a career of unlimited opportunity for youth and for those looking to enter the industry.
The Visionary Award
The Educated Eats Board of Directors created a Visionary Award to honor those who have demonstrated dedication and leadership in culinary education and training, community education, and workforce development in Washington D.C. area’s food and hospitality industry. Each year, the Board chooses honorees in three categories who exemplify these qualities: Corporate Stewardship, Culinary Industry, and Technical Job Training.
In corporate stewardship…
Educated Eats recognized Donna Cooper and Pepco, an Exelon Company, for their involvement in the Workforce Investment Council in D.C. and as leaders who oversee the Center for Energy Workforce Development and The Energy Providers Coalition for Education. In partnership with The Precisionists, Inc., Pepco collaborated on a new program that creates new positions for autistic adults to carry out project based work for Pepco and others. For several years, Pepco has also been a dedicated supporter and sponsor of Educated Eats’ activities and the Frans Hagen Scholarship Program.
The culinary honoree…
The Washington Post’s Michelle Jaconi joined the Educated Eats program that night to help honor Culinary Industry honoree Chef Ris Lacoste of RIS for her many impactful years as a hospitality leader, a teacher in her own kitchens, and a mentor to so many. Ris is an involved and dedicated member on many boards including RAMW, The Smithsonian Museum of American History’s Kitchen Cabinet, and Fresh Farm Markets, and she was a long-time board member of DC Central Kitchen, to name just a few.
Supporting culinary job training…
The final Educated Eats honoree of the evening was Iris Wilson, in recognition of her more than twenty years as a culinary education and hospitality leader with D.C. Public Schools, supporting college and career education programs as an advocate for culinary education and hospitality training in the District’s high schools. Educated Eats Chairman of the Board, Greg Casten, presented the award to Iris, and noted that she has been instrumental in founding, funding, empowering, and guiding a number of education programs including many focused on culinary arts. Along with the late Frans Hagen, Wilson helped get the first commercial kitchen for students built in Theodore Roosevelt High School, over a decade ago.
These days, Wilson has her hands more than full with the rejuvenated ProStart program that was re-launched in D.C. this fall in partnership with RAMW. Nearly 300 students are currently enrolled in the two-year comprehensive curriculum at three D.C. schools — Theodore Roosevelt High School and Roosevelt STAY (Ward 4) and Ballou High School (Ward 8). The program includes hospitality business training, an internship/mentorship program with local restaurants, and scholarships for seniors.
A great night for all…
The evening’s celebrations included an incredible four-course dinner from RPM Italian, including Chefs Gabe Thompson and Massimo Vicidomini, with D.C.-based food and travel writer Nevin Martell hosting the ceremonies as emcee. The event was made possible in part by support from sponsors Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, Aramark, Republic National Distributing Company, and Trade Center Management Associates.
Click here to view the complete event gallery!
KATHY E. HOLLINGER is president and CEO, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)
