NIAGARA COLLEGE
Recipe for success: Canadian Culinary Federation inducts CFWI dean Craig Youdale into prestigious Honour Society

On May 28, Youdale was among a small, select group of chefs from across Canada to be inducted into the Canadian Culinary Federation's Honour Society. The prestigious national society honours and recognizes leadership, professional excellence, lifetime commitment, and significant contributions to the profession, as well as to the Canadian Culinary Federation.

"My life has taken many paths in the industry, through many roles in education with the focus on students. I always like focus on providing opportunity for those starting off to have the chance to see and learn as much as they can," said Youdale. "Induction to the Honour Society, to me, is a recognition for commitment and contribution; those are aspects of my life I am most proud of, and to be recognized for that is truly an honour."

Youdale was honoured at a CCF Honour Society event held at the College's Canadian Food and Wine Institute. The event was part of the CCF's 2019 conference held in Niagara Falls from May 26 to May 31.

The ceremony drew more than 100 chefs from across Canada and around the world to celebrate. In attendance were Stafford DeCambra, president of the American Chef Association, Chef Gert Kloetze from Sweden, chair of the Competition Committee for the World Association of Chefs, and special guest Thomas Gugler, president of the World Association of Chefs.

"The ceremony was a fantastic showcase of NC, our amazing campus, incredible staff, and most notably, over 25 students who gained experience by supporting the event," said Youdale.

Claude Buzon, chair of the Canadian Chef Federation Honour Society, noted that he met Youdale during his time at the Culinary Institute of Canada in Prince Edward Island and they became friends instantly. "Just like myself, Craig has a passion for mentoring young chefs and his leadership is second to none, and I am very proud to call him my friend," he said. "Craig managed three national junior culinary teams with great success and made Canada very proud."

Youdale was nominated by Ryan Marquis, of the CCF's Oakville branch, for his passion and dedication to the culinary federation. Marquis, who has known Youdale for more than 15 years, applauded him for his dedication to youth chefs, and for volunteering to manage three national youth culinary teams: two at Holland College and one at Niagara College. "His level of leadership and mentorship to these young chefs was beyond reproach," said Marquis. "He is a true example of what this Honour Society stands for and I am looking forward to him joining me as a member of the Honour Society."

Youdale has been working at Niagara College for the past 10 years. He joined the College as chair of academics for the CFWI and has been CFWI dean since 2014. His recognition from the CCF comes a year after he received an Award of Excellence from the American Culinary Federation (2018) in New Orleans, in recognition of his strong commitment to culinary excellence and for embracing the latest technologies and trends in the food service industry. In 2018, he also received a Celia Liu Award for Excellence in Hospitality at the Spirit of Niagara Awards, organized by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce (2018). In 2017, Youdale was honoured with a gold medal as Educator of the Year from the prestigious Ontario Hostelry Institute, in recognition of his leadership in the food and beverage industry, at the CFWI, and for leading NC's Junior Culinary Team Canada to podium finishes at the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany (2016) and other major culinary competitions.

Read the full story.