The Center for Advancement of Foodservice Education, where our mission is to: “Connect the Foodservice Industry with the Foodservice Classroom.”CAFÉ is the most dynamic resource for those who TEACH, TRAIN, MENTOR, IDEATE, INTERACT WITH, ADVISE, AND CHALLENGE students of the culinary arts.  With nearly 1,000 culinary and baking programs from coast to coast. CAFÉ is the most respected support organization for those involved in educating tomorrows chefs, bakers, pastry chefs, savory chefs, and culinary entrepreneurs.

Although not a chef, Mary has been involved with setting standards for a chef’s educational experience as well as providing ongoing experiences linking the foodservice industry with the foodservice classroom. Her experiences include ACF accreditation and certification criteria as well as setting up summer institutes and other events for culinary educators in order to help them maintain their expertise in both cooking and education.  She looks at the current challenges facing educators and is proud to help them pivot their programs to include new delivery methods and even more importantly, discover new partnerships with industry via the CAFÉ website, Gold Medal Classroom magazine, and events such as the annual Deans and Directors Retreat and yearly Leadership Conference.

Born with his feet planted firmly in the soil of Louisiana and the swampland of the Bayou, John Folse grew to become Louisiana’s worldwide ambassador of food.  As the foremost practitioner of Cajun cooking – Chef Folse represents this melting pot cuisine through his original restaurant Laffite’s Landing and currently in partnership with Chef Rick Tramonto at restaurant R’Evolution Additionally, his John Folse Companies include catering at White Oak Plantation, a PBS television series, publishing company, food manufacturing facility, and the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nichols College.  This authentic southern gentleman has been there for Louisiana as it recovered from incredible disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.  Chef Folse fought with the chefs, cooks, and restaurateurs of Louisiana to preserve and rebuild the region's strong culinary culture.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Chef John Folse.