Awards & Affiliations

On America Recycles Day, EPA recognizes campus food waste reduction
UC Berkeley is doing such a good job of recycling that today (Thursday, Nov. 15), America Recycles Day... [more] UC Berkeley is doing such a good job of recycling that today (Thursday, Nov. 15), America Recycles Day, the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency came to campus to praise Cal Dining's efforts to reduce the food waste stream - in particular, by cutting upstream food purchases to limit downstream waste. Click here for information. [less]

Shawn LaPean, Executive Director, named as one of FoodService Director's inaugural "Influential 20" in 2012
for his work and commitment to the non-commercial foodservice industry... [more] for his work and commitment to the non-commercial foodservice industry. Other honorees include The Culinary Institute of America and First Lady, Michelle Obama. Click here for information. [less]

2nd place, National Association of College and University Food Service (NACUFS)
Sustainability Awards in the Procurement Practices category... [more] Sustainability Awards in the Procurement Practices category for becoming Marine Stewardship Council Certified, offering sustainable fish where possible in the dining commons beginning in October 2011. [less]

Cal Dining named "Real Food Pioneers" by the Real Food Challenge
based on food purchasing practices... [more] based on food purchasing practices quantifying what percent of their school budget is spent on local and community-based, fair, ecologically sound or humane food. For more information and the complete list of winners: http://realfoodchallenge.org/programs/awards/winners. [less]

Recipient of the Chancellors Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) Sustainability Award
for their newest achievements including... [more] for their newest achievements including receiving Marine Stewardship Council certification for their seafood purchases, establishing a new Sustainability Team, and hitting the 25 percent mark for their purchases of local, organic, or fair trade food. Team members include Charles Davies, Shawn LePean, Jenna Kingkade, Patrice Thomas and Lucky Vasquez. For more information click here. [less]

Cal Dining team recognized with a Chancellor's Outstanding Service Award
for their demonstration of outstanding service... [more] for their demonstration of outstanding service and exceptional presence in the campus community. [less]

Executive Chef, Mary Ferrer, wins the NACUFS Pacific Regional Culinary Challenge and an ACF Silver medal.
She will compete at the National NACUFS conference, summer 2012!... [more] She will compete at the National NACUFS conference, summer 2012! Mary's bio is featured in the Conference Program here on page 20. [less]

Completed Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification
becoming the first US public university to serve certified sustainable seafood... [more] becoming the first US public university to serve certified sustainable seafood. Each dining commons will offer MSC seafood whenever possible, and will hopefully encourage other universities to follow suit. An article regarding the transition can be found here. [less]

Congratulations to Foothill's Shannon Neubauer for her Silver Medal
and third place overall finish at the NACUFS Pacific Regional Challenge!... [more] and third place overall finish at the NACUFS Pacific Regional Challenge! Shannon competed against eight other talented Chefs from the region in her first competition ever. Her practice and dedication paid off and continues to uphold Cal Dining's reputation for excellence in the culinary arts. [less]

Chef Eric Haney wins NACUFS Bronze Medal at the national competition
With his winning recipe "Grilled Portobello, Apple and... [more] With his winning recipe "Grilled Portobello, Apple and Fennel Risotto, Grilled Radicchio, Glazed Carrots, and Truffle Vinaigrette," Eric scored a bronze medal. Beating out the other Pacific Region competitors in Colorado March 2010, Eric represented the entire Pacific region at the national conference in San Jose. Congratulations Eric!
Visit here to find out more:
NACUFS Culinary Challenge '10 [less]

2010 Loyal E. Horton Silver Medal goes to UC Berkeley
The grand Venetian Carnival at Clark Kerr Campus... [more] The grand Venetian Carnival at Clark Kerr Campus impressed students and judges alike. Thanks to Terry Wynne, Robert Stayte, Patrice Thomas and all the people that contributed to making a fabulous entry.
Visit here to find out more:
Loyal E. Horton awards [less]

Executive Chef for Cal Catering, Don Cortes takes home the Bronze Medal at NACUFS Pacific Regional Challenge 2009
Don's dish of Poached Trout on Buttered Leeks with Sauteed Yukon Gold Potatoes... [more] Don's dish of Poached Trout on Buttered Leeks with Sauteed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Watercress and Pancetta Salad tossed in Meyer Lemon Dressing won complements from the judges for a great presentation, excellent organization and cooking skills, and wonderful flavor. [less]

Cal Dining/UC Berkeley wins prestigious Ivy Award
The Ivy Award is one of the oldest and most coveted food service industry accolades. Past winners include Chez Panisse, French Laundry, Harvard and Stanford. For details, visit:
Berkeleyan article

Director, Shawn LaPean wins 2008 IFMA Silver Plate Award
Each year, the Silver Plates recognize the industry's... [more] Each year, the Silver Plates recognize the industry's most outstanding and accomplished foodservice operators in nine key segments. Shawn LaPean has been awarded the 2008 Silver Plate in the Colleges & Universities category.
Visit the links below to learn more:
Restaurants & Institutions
Food Service Director Magazine
Article from Food Management
Picture of the Silver Plate

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Cal Dining Wins 3rd Place in PETA2's Veg-Friendly Colleges Contest
"Moving all the way up from eighth place last year... [more] "Moving all the way up from eighth place last year, the spirit of Berkeley has once again risen to the occasion. With an extensive selection of vegan dishes, including Southwest soy crumble and tofu scramble; black bean, potato, and Field Roast "sausage" hash; and vegan chicken nuggets, it's no wonder that the students have so much energy at their legendary social justice rallies."
Check out the Peta2 webpage to see the full article:
2007 PETA2 Veg-Friendly Colleges Contest
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Patricia Williams wins Silver Medal!
Cal Dining's own Patricia Williams... [more] Cal Dining's own Patricia Williams, a Principal Cook at Crossroads, recently competed in the NACUFS Western Regional Culinary Challenge in Vancouver, BC, and won a silver medal. Pat was one of 11 contestants from the region who competed (other universities who competed this year included Stanford, University of British Columbia,University of Oregon, UC Santa Barbara and others).
Visit here to find out more :
http://www.food.ubc.ca/nacufs2008/culinary.html
Patricia Williams takes Silver!

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Cal Dining Voted Top 10 Vegetarian Friendly College
Customers voted Cal Dining/UC Berkeley in the Top 10... [more] Customers voted Cal Dining/UC Berkeley in the Top 10 most vegetarian friendly colleges by PETA2. Visit the official site for details:
http://www.peta2.com/college/c-vegschools-winners.asp

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Chefs take home the silver!
Congratulations to Cal Dining's culinary team... [more] Congratulations to Cal Dining's culinary team [Annie Gary, Conrad Huth, Michael Sarenas & Ida Shen] whom won silver medals and third place in the 12th Annual Chef Culinary Conference competition hosted by University of Massachusetts Amherst! 14 teams from 23 schools participated. The competition is based on a mystery basket ingredient method; see the Mediterranean inspired menu the chefs prepared:

"Mezze Trio" Chicken, Pistachio and Sultana Raisin B'astilla; House Made Yogurt Cheese with Garlic and Herbs, Poached Artichoke Heart; Pan Seared Red Snapper with Orange, Parsley & Caper "Gremolata;" Caramelized Onion and Apple stuffed Chicken Roulade; Cardamom infused Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce and Cornmeal-Almond Cookies.

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Assistant Director/Executive Chef Davies Wins Bronze Medal
Chuck Davies, Assistant Director/Executive Chef... [more] Chuck Davies, Assistant Director/Executive Chef for Cal Dining, won a bronze medal at the NACUFS [National Association of College & University Food Services] Pacific Region Culinary Challenge on March 6, 2006. The competition is ACF [American Culinary Federation] certified and participants are judged on a 40 point scale on organization, sanitation and food safety, cooking skills and techniques, recipe creativity and taste. His medal winning recipe was Pan Braised Chicken Breast - Stuffed and rolled with Herbed Mushroom Duxelles, Chard, Aged Ricotta, Pancetta & Sweet Onions - Lemon Herb Jus - Served with Barley & Spring Pea "Risotto Style", Tournéed Carrots.

Davies, a lifelong culinarian and native Californian, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and was a recipient of a grant from the IACP for advanced studies in Paris. Following apprenticeships in New Orleans and San Francisco, Chuck lived and worked for many years in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. His career in Seattle included stints as a Chef-Instructor, Director of Product Development for a natural food store chain as well as owner/operator of the Volunteer Park Market and Café. Congratulations Chuck!

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Dining Director wins Chancellor's Staff Award
Cal Dining director Shawn LaPean was one of ... [more] Cal Dining director Shawn LaPean was one of seventy staff members — 31 as individuals, 39 as members of six teams — received this year's Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Award (COSA) at a Nov. 1 ceremony at International House. The awards, given to staff members who have provided exceptional service to the campus, are administered and presented annually by the Chancellor's Staff Advisory Committee. LaPean won an individual award because of his “dedication to students and continually evolving Cal Dining’s programs to meet students’ needs.”
For details, see this campus article:
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2005/11/17_staff.shtml.

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Dining Director named to “Power of 10” in Restaurants & Institutions Magazine
Shawn LaPean, director of Cal Dining, was named... [more] Shawn LaPean, director of Cal Dining, was named one of 10 non-commercial-foodservice leaders who bring out-of-the-ordinary ideas, passion and energy to the industry’s continuing evolution. For the entire story, visit this site:
http://www.rimag.com/archives/2006/01b/noncommercial-foodservice-leaders.asp.

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Cal Dining wins Chancellor’s Sustainability Award
Cal Dining was honored with the 2005... [more] Cal Dining was honored with the 2005 Chancellor’s Sustainability Awards for Team Effort because of our environmental efforts, especially for having the first green certified buildings on UC Berkeley’s campus and our continued environmental efforts. Visit this page for more information: http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/summit_2005.html.

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ACF Culinary Competition Winners
Cal Dining's four executive chefs won first place... [more] Cal Dining's four executive chefs won first place and gold medals at an American Culinary Federation (ACF) team competition! The team consisted of assistant director/executive chef Chuck Davies and unit executive chefs Conrad Huth (Crossroads), Ida Shen (Clark Kerr) and Michael Sarenas (Cafe 3).
The competition was part of a chef's conference at University of Massachusetts Amherst held last week and is considered the "super bowl of university culinary team competitions." Cal Dining's chefs were the only gold medal winners. Other participants include Harvard, UMass Amherst and eight other universities.
Check out the Photo Garden for all the exciting conference pictures!

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Clark Kerr's Chef Ida Wins Silver Medal
Ida Shen, Clark Kerr's executive chef, won... [more] Ida Shen, Clark Kerr's executive chef, won a silver medal at the NACUFS [National Association of College & University Food Services] Pacific Region Culinary Challenge on March 1, 2005. The competition is ACF [American Culinary Federation] certified and participants are judged on a 40point scale on organization, sanitation and food safety, cooking skills and techniques, recipe creativity and taste. Her winning recipe was Cumin and Coriander Crusted Lamb Noisette.
The competition has two judging components: the medal competition, which awards medals based on the point range; and the ranking awards based on the top scores. Ida won a silver medal and was ranked in 4th place. All ranked winners this year received silver medals and only one point separated the top four winners. Ida's win is also significant because it is the first time Cal Dining has entered this competition.
Ida is a graduate of California Culinary Academy and studied in France at L'Ecole des Arts Culinaires et de l'Hotellerie de Lyon. Before coming to UC Berkeley in August, she worked in numerous catering companies, Strait's Café, and for Silks at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Congratulations Ida!

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Cal Dining's Crossroads Goes Green!
Crossroads, our largest dining center, was recently certificated... [more] Crossroads, our largest dining center, was recently certificated as a Bay Area Green Business, the first facility on campus to receive this certification. Click HERE to read more from the official campus press release. Below, find other media coverage about Crossroads' Certification.

• San Francisco Chronicle
  
• Daily Cal
  
• Green Biz Leaders

Cal wins National Dining Awards!
Cal Dining is proud to announce two recent... [more] Cal Dining is proud to announce two recent Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards for our residential dining commons Crossroads and Foothill! The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards are given through NACUFS (National Association of College and University Food Services) and judged by a panel of college dining professionals. Competition was at an all-time high with over 140 entries. Here are the results (Honorable Mention was given to those who have 90% of the qualifying points, but didn't get gold, silver or bronze):

• Residence Hall Dining Standard Menu (large school) , Crossroads
• Residence Hall Dining Special Event/Theme Dinner (large school), Foothill's Asian New Year

News Article Archive (2003-2004)