Johnson & Wales Culinary Student Receives 2nd Reluctant Gourmet Culinary School Grant

I’m excited to announce that Blair Cannon, a sophomore at Johnson & Wales Culinary School in Charlotte, NC who is pursuing an Associates of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, was chosen to receive the 2nd Reluctant Gourmet Culinary Scholarship in association with Chef4Students.org.

The program was established in 2003 to assist culinary students in need of financial assistance. Since that time, over $77,000 has been awarded to future culinarians in the form of $1,000 culinary grants. I was able to get involved in the reviewing process along with a panel consisting of several certified chefs, business executives and culinary professionals from various organizations across the globe.

About the Chefs4Students.org Culinary Grant Program

Chefs4Students.org offers a variety of programs for companies and individuals to participate in this non-profit effort to assist culinary students in need. The Chefs4Students.org Culinary Grant Program is administered by Chef David and Pamela Nelson.

Chefs4Students.org utilizes the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, www.yvcf.org to independently oversee the financial aspects of this non-profit fund.

For More Information: http://www.chefs4students.org

A Letter From Culinary Student Blair Cannon

It’s great to be able to give back a little to the culinary industry with these culinary grants, but it means even more when you hear from the recipients themselves and learn how much these grants mean to them. Here is a letter from this years Reluctant Gourmet sponsored scholarship Blair Cannon to my friend Chef David Nelson who makes this all possible.

April 28, 2009

Dear Chef David Nelson,

I was chosen to receive the Reluctant Gourmet sponsored scholarship for your organization for 2009; and I am writing this letter to express my sincerest thanks to your organization for allowing students such as myself the opportunity to obtain this scholarship.

It has been an honor for me to be recognized for my hard work, and by receiving this scholarship; it motivates me to continue to strive for excellence.

I currently am finishing my sophomore year at Johnson & Wales in Charlotte, NC, pursuing an Associates of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts and your scholarship support has allowed me to concentrate more on schoolwork without the financial burden. In addition, in my junior and senior years, I plan to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Restaurant Management.

The program at Johnson & Wales has been challenging and the instructors inspiring as well. I have been volunteering in many activities at school such as Charlotte Shout and the academic community. Having the opportunity to meet many celebrity chefs as well as gain lots of culinary advice, has been a dream come true. At this time I am away at co-op in Augusta, GA at the Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Golf Tournament gaining work experience and meeting a lot of celebrities.

This scholarship has helped me to realize my dreams of becoming a Chef and one day owning my own restaurant. I can assure you that as a recipient, I will make your organization proud by excelling in my studies and giving back to the community as a token of my appreciation.

Your generosity has made a profound impact on my life and I am sincerely grateful and truly honored to have been a recipient of this award.

Best Regards,

Blair Cannon

Wow! If anyone is interested in getting involved with Chef Nelson’s foundation to help culinary schools fulfill their dreams, please contact me or Chef Nelson at the web site above.