The Culinary Institute of America

Contact:

Jeff Levine
Media Relations
845-451-1372 tel
j_levine@culinary.edu

Hyde Park, NY, November 6, 2007 – Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, an organization that promotes the education and advancement of women in the restaurant industry, honored Eve Felder of The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) with its first annual Educator of the Year Award on Monday, November 5.

A Certified Executive Chef, Eve Felder is associate dean for culinary arts at the CIA. She is responsible for developing the college's curriculum, monitoring food quality and cost, evaluating faculty, and responding to student concerns. Prior to becoming an associate dean, Chef Felder was an associate professor in culinary arts at the college. She graduated from the CIA with honors in 1988.

Before returning to her alma mater in 1994 as a member of the faculty, Chef Felder served as chef at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, where she worked closely with Alice Waters. She has traveled throughout Europe, the Far East, and North Africa studying the historical connection between the culinary traditions and agricultural practices of different cultures.

Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) created the Educator of the Year Award in 2007 to honor a female culinary educator whose dedication to teaching is making a difference to the culinary community. To be considered for the award, each nominee's professional work must have served as an inspiration to other women in the industry. The award was presented to Chef Felder at WCR's national conference in Newport, RI.

"Eve is a perfect role model for young women in the industry and shows that hard work and dedication to your passion can pay off," said WCR president Maureen Pothier.

An avid supporter for the advancement of women in the hospitality industry, Chef Felder has played an integral role in growing the presence of organizations such as Women Chefs and Restaurateurs and the Women's Food Service Forum on the CIA campus. Having mentored countless CIA students, Eve has worked closely with well-known alumnae like Cat Cora and Melissa Kelly throughout her career.

In addition to supporting the role of women in the hospitality industry, Chef Felder also has a strong interest in sustainable agriculture. She is an avid gardener and bee keeper who has a keen interest in providing her three daughters with healthy food for excellent nutrition.

In addition to Chef Felder's CIA degree, the native of Charleston, SC holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston and a Master of Science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

---

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees in the culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. A network of more than 37,000 alumni in foodservice and hospitality has helped the CIA earn its reputation as the world's premier culinary college. Courses for foodservice professionals are offered at the college's main campus in Hyde Park, NY and at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, in St. Helena, CA. CIA at Greystone also offers baking and pastry, advanced culinary arts, and wine certifications. For more information, visit the CIA's Web site at www.ciachef.edu.

# # #

Are you a member of the media and not on our mailing list? Sign up to receive our press releases—including any hi-res images—via e-mail.