RCA Pioneer Award

Pioneer in Culinology^®: A person or persons who, through their own lifetime achievements, has become a recognized leader in the food industry utilizing the practice of combining culinary craftsmanship and food science.

The RCA Pioneer Award is presented to a member who has become recognized as a leader in the food industry. 

Eligibility Requirements

All nominees must meet the following criteria and guidelines to be considered as a potential candidate for the RCA Pioneer Award.

• Individual must be a current RCA member. 
• Individual must have become recognized as a leader in the food industry through their own lifetime achievements, utilizing the practice of combining culinary craftsmanship and food science (applied the discipline/concept of Culinology^®), for at least 10 years. 
• Nominee’s influence must be apparent throughout the food industry, including in education and standard practices.

The RCA Pioneer Award will be presented at the 2021 RCA Conference during the Awards reception, which will be covered by the press. The winner/winner’s representative must grant RCA permission to publicize their receipt of the award in subsequent press releases and other RCA-related printed materials. Upon request, photos will be available for the award winner.

How to Apply

2021 award nominations will open later this year. 

Once submissions are open, an independent panel of judges will review the nominations and select the finalists based on the entry criteria.

Please reach out to rca@culinology.org with any questions regarding the awards programs or nominations process.