It is well known that for as much as Auguste Escoffier fed the rich, royal and famous, he fed the poor, sick and hungry. Community outreach was a large part of his philosophy, and in return, it is a large part of ours. From our sustainability-centered curriculum to our involvement in local charities in the Boulder, CO and Austin, TX areas, our institution’s civic outreach is fundamental to our constitution.
Farmgrass Fest
Farmgrass is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising critical medical emergency funds for Central Texas farmers. With local agriculture and sustainability being a strong focus of our curriculum, Escoffier Schools proudly sponsored and partnered with the charity for the 2017 Farmgrass Festival. (Photo by Rachel Piotrzkowski)
Governor’s Derby Day Party
The Escoffier Boulder team paired up with Colorado governor John Hickenlooper for a successful day celebrating the Kentucky Derby. Students and instructors prepared Southern-inspired dishes to be enjoyed by Hickenlooper and his guests.
Follow the Ruel
Our Boulder campus’ partnership with local community space Follow The Ruel boasts an educational space where students can freely test out their skills in student-run pop up restaurants. Started by long-time Escoffier Schools partner Connie Ruel, Follow The Ruel is an all-purpose venue used for a variety of culinary arts-related activities and events.
Cookies for the Community with Boulder Bridge House
Every Decembers our Boulder campus has partnered with local charity, Bridge House Community Table, to bake and decorate 50 dozen cookies for the areas homeless and working poor.
Wholesome Wave’s Chefs’ Potluck at Willie Nelson’s Ranch
For the last number of years, our Austin campus’ students and staff have worked with Wholesome Wave for the annual Chef’s Potluck at Willie Nelson’s Ranch. Partnering with celebrity and local chefs, the charity event raises proceeds to increase access to produce in under-served communities nationwide.
Mystery Basket Challenge
Each spring our Austin campus organizes the Mystery Basket Challenge, a cooking competition for high school students interested in the culinary and pastry arts. Along with the competition, there are a number of activities and barbecue cookout.
We Don’t Waste’s Dumpster Dinner
This spring our students partnered with Denver’s We Don’t Waste, a local charity that works with caterers, restaurants and other industry businesses and distributes the food to Denver’s under-served. The focus is to utilize the food waste often produced by businesses in the industry, creating wholesome, nutritional meals for the hungry and homeless.
Do For Dewberry at Dewberry Hills Farms
On June 19, 2016, students at our Austin campus donated their time and culinary skills to a benefit for Dewberry Hills Farms, a farm-to-table partner of the school. The event, held at Springdale Farm, helped raise funds to rebuild facilities damaged by a tornado and flood.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
Our Boulder campus partners with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper’s office for a number of events throughout the year like the ACF Colorado Chefs Association opening day baseball party.
Online Classmates Cook For Tour Of Utah Cycling Event
Three classmates in Escoffier’s online certificate program from across North America gathered in Utah to prepare food for Tour of Utah cycling event, one of the world’s most prestigious races.
Escoffier Prepares Lunch For U.S. Air Force National Guard
On December 4, 2016, a small group of student volunteers and two chef instructors, helped prepare and serve lunch for the U.S. Air Force National Guard 233rd Space Group in Greeley, CO. The Escoffier team assembled food for approximately 500+ service members and their families.