Supporting The Future of Culinary and Hospitality Professionals

Escoffier Scholarship Foundation is designed to assist students with a passion for culinary and pastry arts who may be unable to attend the institution without additional financial assistance.

Make an Impact

We can’t empower students in need without you. By donating, fundraising, or spreading the word, you can help our students in need get a culinary education and become a positive force in their communities.

Questions? Contact Us

Mission and Vision

Escoffier Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to helping passionate culinary arts, pastry arts, and hospitality students to accomplish their future career goals. Our vision is to foster the development of culinary leaders who will make a difference in hospitality.

Eligibility and Application Process - For Current and Soon-To-Be Students

Whether you’re already a student or thinking of enrolling, learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

You Can Help a Culinary Student in Need

Escoffier Scholarship Foundation values donations from our community—we depend on them. Our scholarships offer life-changing programs to students in need, and we are only able to do this thanks to help from generous people like
you.

Commis Chef

$100 to $999

Chef de Partie

$1,000 to $4,999

Sous Chef

$5,000 to $9,999

Chef de Cuisine

$10,000 and up

All Donations Make a Difference...No Matter How Big or Small!

We offer many ways to donate! From as little as $10, to automatic monthly gifts to company partnerships and planned giving, Escoffier Scholarship Foundation makes it easy for you to participate and support future culinarians. Your gift, no matter how big or small, will change lives!

“As someone who is paying for school on my own, this has been a tremendous help. It has enabled me to not worry as much about finances and just concentrate on my studies. I hope to be able to send you some delicious bakes once I graduate. 🙂 Again, thank you kindly.”

Juan Luis De Coss
Escoffier Scholarship Foundation Recipient 2021-2022

Board of Directors and Accountability

We carry out our work with a deep commitment to accountability and transparency. We want you and every member of the greater culinary community to know how carefully and effectively we use your donations to make an impact in the lives of our scholarship recipients. See Our By-laws.

Mary Petersen

Mary Petersen is currently the president of CAFE (Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education) and Editor-in-Chief of CAFE’s on-line magazine, The Gold Medal Classroom. CAFE is an organization designed to partner foodservice educators with industry as well as to provide resources for the culinary/baking/pastry classroom. For the past 20 years, she has been committed to providing an interactive web site, an on-line magazine as well as regional and national meetings focused on sharing best practices among foodservice instructors. Organizations that have honored Mary with major awards for her work include: the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education; the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque; the American Culinary Federation; the International Foodservice Editorial Council and the Cordon d’Or. Mary has a B.S. degree from the University of NC at Greensboro and a M.S. degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. In 2002 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Art Institute of Colorado.

Heidi Phipps

Heidi Phipps serves as the Vice President of Finance and Accounting for Triumph Higher Education Group. She is responsible for financial oversight of Escoffier’s online as well as campus-based operations. Prior to joining Triumph, Phipps served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for Western International University, a part of the Apollo Education Group. She was also Treasurer of the university and sat on the institution’s Board of Trustees. Previously, Heidi held financial and accounting management positions at Career Education Corporation for approximately twelve years, most recently Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis. Phipps holds her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Valparaiso University. Additionally, she earned an MBA with a focus in finance from Western International University

Thomas Vaccaro

Chef Vaccaro is responsible for development and preparation of desserts for the Borgata Casino Hotel and Spa. Borgata an MGM property has sixteen full-service restaurants, convention and catering facilities, and two bakery cafes. Thomas Vaccaro also is a consultant focused on new product innovation, process improvement, training, and development. He highly regarded for his executive coaching in persistence, leadership, and empowerment. Known for his vision and ingenuity, Vaccaro facilitates innovation at the intersection of savory and sweet cookery, leveraging his deep mastery of technique to foster new approaches to creativity. Clients include major food manufacturers, retail restaurants, food processors, and food-related non-profit organizations. Thomas is the past Dean for Baking & Pastry at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) which included oversight of curriculum, food and quality of instruction, identifying new faculty, and fostering student development. Also, was the General Manager of the award-winning Apple-Pie Bakery Café and CIA-Bocuse Restaurant.

For many years, Vaccaro was a culinary leader in Atlantic City, where he was executive pastry chef at the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino and Trump’s Taj Mahal and Tropicana Casino and Entertainment Resort in Atlantic City. Vaccaro also served as executive pastry chef at the famed Waldorf = Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Vaccaro is a Certified Executive Pastry Chef C.E.P.C. And a Certified Master Baker C.M.B. He was the American Culinary Federation’s National Pastry Chef of the Year in 2004. He coached the U.S. Culinary Team to many gold medals in the 1996, 2000, and the 2004 Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany and earned a perfect score in pastry as the team ACF pastry chef at the 1992 Culinary Olympics.

Throughout his illustrious career, Vaccaro has earned gold medals in competitions around the world, including Scotland (2001), Switzerland (1993 and 1999), Chicago (1992 and 1999), New York (1990, 1996,1997,2008,09,10,11,12,13,), and London (1992) Orlando team winner Culinary Super challenge (2010,2011,2012,2013).

Brian Williams

Brian Williams most recent role was Market Director for Le Cordon Bleu Colleges of Culinary Arts in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, providing dynamic leadership and guidance for both schools.

He is an accomplished administrator who brings a wealth of knowledge in communications, marketing, retention strategies, staff motivation, and governance. In all his educational endeavors, Brian has been a champion of success for both the students and the employees. He thrives on challenges, consistently bringing drive and creativity to the table daily.

An energetic and commanding speaker, he engages groups large and small, sharing his beliefs that education, mentorship, perseverance and overcoming adversity can change lives. Brian has presented at numerous CEC Board meetings and was the opening presenter at Developing Leaders Academy in 2009 and a speaker at both the High Achievers Conference in the Bahamas and the Presidents Conference in Puerto Rico.

Brian has a long and distinguished career in education beginning as the President of Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 1999 and being promoted in less than one year to Managing Director of Career Schools West. He has held multiple positions with Career Education Corporation including CEO of American InterContinental University and then Senior Vice President of the Culinary SBU. In addition, Brian led the acquisition team in the purchase of Le Cordon Bleu.

Holding a Master of Business Administration from American InterContinental University and a Bachelors of Business Marketing from University of Phoenix, Brian began his secondary education with an Associate of Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary College.

Brian has recently retired as the chef and co-owner of the Big Wave Café in Manzanita, Oregon that opened in September 2011.

Pam Trandahl

Pamela Trandahl serves as the Vice President of Compliance for Triumph Higher Education Group. She is responsible for the oversight of all compliance areas for both campuses of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Prior to joining Triumph, Trandahl has held multiple roles in operations and Title IV administration in the Higher Education industry and has approximately 20 years in culinary education administration.

Upcoming Events

February 14, 2022

Annual Valentine's Day Raffle

Virtual

July 11, 2022

Escoffier Scholarship Foundation Annual Golf Fundraiser

Schaumburg
Golf Club/
Schaumburg, IL

December 3, 2021

Virtual Holiday Auction

Virtual

“The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation helps provide funds for training and education to support the dreams and aspirations of students, whether they are new to the hospitality and culinary arts industries or already in the field but looking to create new career pathways for their futures.”

Tracy Lorenz

President & CEO, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Questions? Get in Touch!

Simone Maxwell-Wilson

Foundation Scholarship Director

scholarship@escoffier.edu
(754) 227-1942