Delaware North has announced the launch of a new, industry-leading talent development incubator for the company’s culinarians: Culinary & Hospitality Excellence for Future Success – or the CHEFS™ program. 
Created in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the CHEFS™ program establishes a formal approach to talent development and career progression for culinarians within Delaware North. A key goal of the program is to ensure participation and advancement of a diverse cadre of culinary talent for Delaware North.
The new program, which is launching in seven hub cities, will pair promising talent – identified as an “Emerging Culinarian” – with one of Delaware North’s accomplished executive chefs, who will serve as a “Chef Mentor.”
The CHEFS™ program is being led by Steve Eden, who this week was named director of
Delaware North’s Culinary Academy and Culinary & Hospitality Council.
“Through a blend of online CIA curriculum, on-the-job learning and active mentoring, participants will emerge with advanced certifications, as well as an unmatched depth of knowledge and skill,” Eden said. “We expect this program to create the next generation of culinary greats – right here at Delaware North.”
Chef Mentors will guide a team of Emerging Culinarians through a 12-month rotation that includes both on-the-job mentoring and coursework support. The Chef Mentor also will have a chance to further his or her career, including by way of onsite mentor residency at the CIA campus in Hyde Park, N.Y., as well as ProChef II certification or ProChef Certified Mentor designation. 
The Emerging Culinarians are chefs and cooks in the early stages of their careers. Recruited internally and externally, Emerging Culinarians will demonstrate unique talent, drive, grit and promise as the next generation of culinary greats at Delaware North.
The CHEFS™ program will be focused on seven hub cities: Boston, Buffalo, Metro New York, Orlando, West Coast/California, Arlington/Austin and West Memphis. Within each hub, Chef Mentors will work alongside Emerging Culinarians.
Chef Mentors will share their knowledge and experience, while Emerging Culinarians rotate among Delaware North locations, sharpening their culinary skills and broadening their experience with a variety of venues and service styles.
PHOTO CAPTION: The CHEFS program was created as a talent development
incubator for the company’s culinarians.
Leading the program is Steve Eden (right),
director, Culinary Academy and Culinary &
Hospitality Council, pictured here with Lou Piuggi
(left), vice president of Culinary and Food
& Beverage Development, and Deborah Pratt
(center), Emerging Talent Programs director.