The Cultural Awareness Salute is the BCA’s prestigious annual formal affair. Since 1994, this event has provided us the opportunity to acknowledge not only the cultural contributions made to the hospitality industry by our pioneering ancestors, but also to recognize distinguished past and present leaders who, through their hard work and dedication, continue to pave the way and shape the future for people of color in the hospitality industry.
THE BCA AWARDS
JEFFERSON EVANS AWARD Chef Evans became the first African American graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in 1947. Chef Evans is currently retired and resides in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was honored by the BCA at its’ 1996 Cultural Awareness Salute as the recipient and name bearer of this award. The Jefferson Evans Award, co-signed by Chef Evans, is presented to individuals who have exhibited culinary excellence in the hospitality industry. This award symbolizes the importance of discipline, consistency, and upholding high standards, which are integral part of the culinary arts.
Jefferson Evans Award Honorees
2010 Charmain Sithappah
2008 Peng S. Looi 2007 Daisy Martinez 2006 Roberto Santibanez 2005 Wilo Benet 2004 Robert Okura 2003 Andre Halston 2002 Delilah Winder 2001 Douglas Rodriguez 2000 Marcus Samuelsson 1999 Edward Nunn 1998 Sylvia Woods 1997 Bill Williams 1996 Jefferson Evans
HERITAGE AWARD The Heritage Award represents a life-long dedication within the hospitality industry in which individuals have made significant contributions, and paved the way for all people to follow. The historical importance placed on pioneers within the hospitality industry can never be overstated. Recipients of the Heritage Award have, without doubt, left a permanent and enduring legacy for all to follow.
Heritage Award Honorees
2010 Melba Wilson 2009 Jimmie Walton Paschall 2008 Angela Gonzalez-Rowe 2007 Nathaniel Goldston 2006 Lowell hawthorne 2005 Amy S. Hilliard 2004 Kristine K. Gagliardi 2003 Rachelle Hood-Phillips 2002 Gerald A. Fernandez 2001 Herman Cain 2000 Valerie C. Ferguson 1999 Edna Lewis 1998 Leah Chase 1997 Patrick Clark 1996 Jessica Harris 1995 Joseph Randall 1994 Darryl Evans
JAMES LEWIS AWARD James Lewis began as a dishwasher and rose to be an executive chef of a major foodservice company. The James Lewis Award is named in honor of the retired Executive Chef of Restaurant Associates. Mr. Lewis invested forty years in the culinary industry, twenty-seven of those years with Restaurant Associates. A long career, such as this, is rare in any industry. The James Lewis Award is given in honor of Chef Lewis’ work ethic, dedication and longevity. Each year, this award is given to inspire young people, especially young people of color, to believe with hard work and dedication anything is possible.
James Lewis Award Honorees 2009 Coach Joe Crosby 2008 Chef Walter Whitewater 2007 Chef Jeffrey Henderson 2006 Chef Sadruddin Abdullah 2005 Chef Michael Lemon 2004 Chef Juan Carlos Leal 2003 Chef Luis Irizarry 2002 Chef Brenton McKenzie 2001 Chef James Lewis
LIFETIME AMBASSADOR AWARD The Lifetime Ambassador Award is for individuals who have contributed extraordinary guidance, support and vision to the ongoing development and benefit of the BCA. These individuals have not only committed their time and energy to support the BCA, but have also dedicated themselves to the future of the organization by serving as BCA ambassadors to the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Lifetime Ambassador Award Honorees 2009 Joann Baylor 2008 William ‘Tony’ Rogers 2007 H. Joseph Machicote 2006 Rochelle Brown-Johnson 2005 Frank Lopez 2004 H. Ray Welch, Jr. 2003 Eugene Williams
CHAIRMAN’S AWARD This
award is presented to a company or organization who has demonstrated
extraordinary efforts in contributing to the betterment of the BCA
through partnership, vision and respect for the BCA Mission, and
dedication to diversity advancement in the Culinary/ Foodservice &
Hospitality Profession. The award recipient is nominated by the
Chairman of the BCA Board of Directors and represents the longevity and
consistent effort by which they continue to create opportunities for
future professionals of diversity.
INDUSTRY AWARD This
award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary
efforts in contributing to the betterment of the foodservice industry
through partnership, vision and respect for the BCA Mission, and
dedication to diversity advancement in the Culinary/ Foodservice &
Hospitality Profession. The award recipient is nominated by the BCA
Board of Directors and represents the longevity and consistent effort
by which he/she continues to create opportunities for future
professionals of diversity.
BCA 7th Annual Global Food and Wine Experience August 25, 2010
The BCA will again be hosting its annual Global Food and Wine Experience entitled "Celebrate Diversity in Food and Wine" at The Prince George Ballroom on Thursday, September 30, 2010 in New York City, from 7 PM to 10:30 PM. Wine and Food Enthusiasts will join wine purveyors, restaurateurs, and....
Johnson & Wales, Culinary Institute of America, and the BCA take historical step in honoring the first Black Graduate of CIA, Jefferson Evans, in honor of Black History Month January 26, 2010
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (January 26, 2010) - On February 11, 2010, the national leaders in culinary education will partner with the first student chapter of the BCA to honor Jefferson Evans, the first black graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in 1947. Known as rival institutions for....
BCA 7th Annual Food and Wine Event September 30, 2010
The BCA will again be hosting its annual Global Food and Wine Experience entitled "Celebrate Diversity in Food and Wine" at The Prince George Ballroom on Thursday, September 30, 2010 in New York City, from 7 PM to 10:30 PM. Wine and Food Enthusiasts will join wine purveyors, restaurateurs, and....
