February 2005 Awards

EIGHT (8) $1,000 Culinary Grants were awarded on January 31, 2005.

A team of chefs from literally around the world (USA, Canada, Venezula, New Zealand, Australia, England, Burmuda and more) reviewed an applicant overview and then the essays. The final recipients were selected by a blind vote and we are proud to present them here.

Chef June Jacobs, CCP presents Gina with the grant check with Chef Instructor Frank Costantino on the right. Gina Puzzanghera: The Arts Institute, New York City Grant Funded By::Chef2Chef, LLC I am writing to express my gratitude for this grant. I know there were hundreds of qualified applicants and I am honored to have received this. I look forward to working with your organization for years to come and hope I will be able to be a benefactor for some one else one day. Thank you again. If there is anything you need, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Gina Puzzanghera Man In The Menu For anyone who has been to culinary arts school or has taken a management class, they have probably had an overly excited, odd teacher. I, myself , am no exception. I had the privilege of having a character all his own. Between his squawking, paper waving , and desk circling I actually heard something interesting exit his mouth. He was trying to get us to understand the importance of the menu. "The menu is the heart of the restaurant," he said. To my surprise, I totally agreed. He had awakened me to the thought that the menu, a simple list of dishes, held a large part of you in it. When you look at any menu hard enough you can begin to see the chef as a person. Realizing his or her whole life has come down to this meal. The menu is a mirror reflection of your culinary experience, skills, culture etc... This menu is not just a menu. You hold in your hands the career of the chef as well as every one else in the establishment. Everything from the soup to the entree has a story behind it. The menu is important, not only because it determines the success of a restaurant, but it reveals a little bit of ourselves. The menu truly establishes we are what we eat as well as what we cook. By: Gina Puzzanghera.

Derek Thomas: East Central College, MO Grant Funded By: Chimney Park Bistro, Windsor, Colorado The grant went a long way towards helping me with the financial costs of attending culinary school and gave me a huge boost of confidence. Thank you! Derek Thomas

Scott Bruggman: Johnson & Wales University, Denver Grant Funded By: Chimney Park Bistro, Windsor, Colorado Thank you very much for the scholarship, it will be very helpful with paying my tuition. I am honored to receive this award and wish I could be in Denver to accept it. I am currently in Sweden studying aboard working on my academic classes. I have sent a photo of me in a Swedish Cafe. Thank you very much again. Regards, Scott Bruggman

Christine Schmitz (left) receiving the grant check from Chef Jean Denham (right). Christine Schmitz: Colorado Mountain College CIA Greystone California Grant Funded By: Chimney Park Bistro, Windsor, Colorado I just wanted to thank you again for such a wonderful gift! Jean came last Thursday and it was like a Christmas Day in April! I am so appreciative and it is also such a supportive boost for my goals and dreams!! We took some pictures and I will be in touch with Jean to make sure you receive one for the web site which you requested! The pastry program here has been pretty demanding .The chefs are fabulous so I am working and studying around the clock. It has really been worth it! I love it! Thank You again for everything! Christine Schmitz

Jonathan Kittel:  Scottsdale Culinary Institute Grant Funded By: Chef2Chef, LLC Chef David Nelson (left) awarding the grant check to Jonathan Kittel (right).

Natasha Cozart: Florida Culinary Institute Grant Funded By: Chimney Park Bistro, Windsor, Colorado

James Walton: The Restaurant School at Walnut College, PA Grant Funded By: Chimney Park Bistro, Windsor, Colorado

Michael Belton: Johnson & Wales, Miami Grant Funded By: Chimney Park Bistro, Windsor, Colorado