For Immediate Release                                                                                      
Contact:  Ericka Henderson   (678) 303-2991

Research Chefs Foundation 
Announces Two New Scholarships, to be Funded by CuliNex, LLC.

ATLANTA (January 5, 2010)— 

In early December, the Research Chefs Foundation (RCF) announced the addition of two new scholarships to be funded by CuliNex, LLC. The CuliNex Organic and Natural Foods Culinology® Scholarship is a $4,000 higher education scholarship for qualified individuals who exhibit a demonstrated interest in developing organic and natural foods. The CuliNex CRC and CCS Scholarship will provide financial assistance in the form of up to two (2) $550 scholarships in 2010 for qualified professionals who meet the stated certification eligibility criteria.  

Mark Crowell, the founder of CuliNex, LLC, explains his thoughts about the addition of these valuable scholarships to the RCF family by noting that “Education is at the heart of the Research Chefs Association’s mission. My career has benefited greatly from Culinology and I hope these scholarships will encourage students to pursue a Culinology degree and career. I am funding two certification scholarships because it has been a difficult year for many of my colleagues. I want to encourage members already practicing Culinology to take that extra step to increase their competitiveness. Certification credentials have proven invaluable to me in sending a strong signal of professionalism to employers and the development community. Lastly, I am hopeful this gift will spur others to support the RCF’s mission in providing financial assistance to qualified students and professionals."

These scholarships are provided by Mark Crowell, CRC®, who founded CuliNex in 2005. Mark gained his certification in 2003 and served on the RCA Board of Directors from 2000-2006. Mark is the former director of product development for Olive Garden Restaurants and Starbucks Coffee Company. CuliNex specializes in assisting retailers, food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and multi-unit foodservice operators achieve their growth goals by bringing successful organic and natural products to market.

The Research Chefs Association, through the Research Chefs Foundation, provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to qualified students and professionals pursuing higher learning and continuing education in Culinology®, culinary arts, and food science. Founded in 2002, the Research Chefs Foundation was established to help achieve the RCA mission: To promote the value of Culinology® and empower its community.

CONTACTS:
Foundation questions:  Tim Kline, (678) 303-3017
Media contact:  Ericka Henderson, (678) 303-2991  

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please visit http://www.culinology.com/scholarship-opportunities  

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Founded in 1996, membership in RCA has rapidly grown to include chefs, food scientists, technologists, writers, nutritionists, academicians, researchers, consultants, sales and marketing professionals, suppliers, co-packers, distributors and students.  RCA is the premier source of culinary and technical information for the food industry and is committed to the advancement of Culinology® –the blending of the culinary arts and food science.