March 15, 2016
Tonya Whitfield is top culinary educator
By Office of Communications
Tonya Whitfield, Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts/Culinary Management, was awarded
the Culinary Educator of the Year award by the Chefs de Cuisine Association of San
Diego, a chapter of the American Culinary Federation.
“I was surprised to receive such a great honor,” said Whitfield, who became the second
Mesa professor to be named Culinary Educator of the year since Robert Reid won the
award in 2013. “Mesa’s Culinary Arts program has been expanding over the past several
years and is very competitive. I'm proud to be part of it.”
Whitfield was given an official ACF jacket, a plaque, and a $300 equipment scholarship.
She also took part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Balboa Park, riding alongside
the ACF Chefs de Cuisine President and the Chef of the Year.
The award comes after Whitfield and her students hosted the annual Chefs de Cuisine
November General Meeting. The dinner showcased the talents of Mesa Culinary Arts students.
Tags: Tonya Whitfield, Awards, Culinary Arts, Faculty & Staff