Chef Marita “Mic” Pietrykowski from Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) was honored as part of this year’s Salute to Excellence Awards, presented by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation (WRA EF). Each year, the WRA EF recognizes five individuals and one company who have made contributions to the future of the restaurant industry through their commitment to education.

The 2006 College Educator award is given to Chef Mic for her many years of dedication to teaching others and for her 24 years of commitment to the foodservice industry.

Pietrykowski began her career in the foodservice industry at WCTC in 1982 after many dedicated years as a math and science teacher as well as a stay at home mom. After moving through the ranks at the WCTC kitchen, Chef Mic was hired for her current position as Educational Assistant in the Hospitality and Culinary Department where she mainly teaches classes on sanitation and kitchen operations. She is also the co-advisor for the Hospitality Culinary Management Association student club at WCTC.

Chef Mic has taken her teaching abroad having assisted with two study abroad trips to Europe and was also lead instructor on two study aboard trips on Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Along with her WCTC instruction, Chef Mic is also involved with several of her local elementary schools where she does culinary demonstrations for the students. She also provides instructions for teachers involved in Pro-Start, a program that exposes high school students to the foodservice industry and provides them with career training.

Pietrykowski has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chefs of Milwaukee since 1990 and has held various positions on the Board of Directors including her current position as President.

Along with all of her educational involvement in the foodservice industry, Pietrykowski is involved in her community both in her church as the president of the Christian Women group and also with the Girl Scouts of America and Brownies.

Pietrykowski has received accolades from the ACF Chefs of Milwaukee as their Chef of the Year and also from the National ACF with their “Shining Star” award. She has also received special recognition honors at the 2006 Waukesha County Women of Distinction Luncheon.

Other 2006 Salute to Excellence honorees include Chef James Nowak (Hilton Milwaukee City Center), Jim Marks (Riversite Restaurant and River Lane Inn), Boelter Companies, Tom Boyle (Posthumus, Society Insurance) and Jolene Goeden-Massuch (Watertown High School). Each honoree has worked in a variety of roles to create opportunities for people interested in foodservice industry careers. They work in different parts of the state and in different professions, but they share an enthusiasm and optimism for the future of the restaurant industry.

The Salute to Excellence awards were presented at the 2006 Celebration of Excellence held on Sunday, October 15 at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva.

- END -

Founded in 1987, the WRA Education Foundation is one of the largest state restaurant association foundations in the U.S. It strives to create a promising future for the foodservice industry by raising awareness of foodservice as a professional career path, providing ongoing training and education for foodservice professionals and serving as a state leader on food safety and sanitation.