March 31, 2010, Calgary, Alberta – Chef Andrew Hewson’s goal is to better connect SAIT Polytechnic culinary students with the produce that goes into creating their favourite recipes.

As the recipient of the 2010-11 Cadmus Foundation Trades Teaching Chair award, the School of Hospitality and Tourism instructor will move closer to achieving this objective.

“The project proposal I submitted is about combining the culinary arts with agriculture and sustainability issues – something that I’ve taken to calling ‘culinary-agro literacy,’” says Hewson. “It is about connecting future chefs to the source of our raw materials, looking at where it comes from, how it is produced and the effort that goes into growing good quality produce.”

Hewson plans to use the award’s semester-long sabbatical and research funding to create a framework of sustainability and community engagement that will enhance student and industry knowledge within the culinary field, and that can also be transferred to other schools at SAIT.

One aspect of this is the new culinary garden on SAIT’s main campus. The garden will be used as a classroom to teach culinary students about raw produce. The award will allow Hewson to develop the curriculum that will integrate the garden into School of Hospitality and Tourism programs.

In announcing Hewson as the award recipient, Vice President Academic Gord Nixon noted Hewson’s dedication and desire to enhance the learning experience for SAIT culinary students.

“Andrew was selected as the recipient for this award for several reasons, and he demonstrates teaching excellence in many ways. He has been instrumental in the development of the culinary garden, which is both a living classroom for students and a tangible demonstration of the school's move towards creating a mindset of sustainability.”

The Cadmus Trades Teaching Chair is the first award of its kind in the world. It was established by the Cadmus Foundation in 2005 and is presented to a SAIT trades instructor in recognition of excellence in teaching. It carries a value of $25,000 that includes a semester-long sabbatical for practical research and project work to enhance program quality, mentoring other instructors, professional development and an allowance to purchase tools and equipment.

The foundation was created by long-time SAIT supporter and past Board of Governors member John Aldred. Named after the mythical figure Cadmus, Greek patron of the useful arts, its mandate is to raise the status of the trades and attract young people to trades careers.

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