MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- In the largest single donation for educational scholarships ever made to the Culinary Institute of America, the Maahs family—owners of Alto-Shaam Inc. of Menomonee Falls, Wis., has given $1 million dollars to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to create an endowed scholarship fund for students attending the institute, one of the world's most prestigious culinary arts schools.
The Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Culinary Institute of America will use the scholarship money to offer a complete tuition and expense package to one student per year—including room and [image-nocss] board, books, fees and equipment. This scholarship can be awarded to the same student on a multi-year basis.
Students receiving the scholarship can be enrolled in the four-year Bachelors of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts program at the Culinary Institute of America or, the two-year Associates of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts program. Scholars will be awarded on demonstrated financial need, desire, skill and aptitude. Students receiving the scholarship must be full-time students of the institute in good standing.
The scholarship has been developed in memory of Jerry Maahs, the founder of Alto-Shaam. "The purpose of the scholarship is to honor Jerry for his contributions to the culinary arts field," said Karen Hansen, CEO of Alto-Shaam and Jerry's daughter. "Jerry came from modest beginnings when he started working in the 1950s toward what is now Alto-Shaam. It's only fitting now to give back to the culinary industry by helping top students who would otherwise not afford this high level of culinary education."
While the family is funding the scholarship, the institute will award the scholarship based on its qualification and evaluation methods.
Donations may be made to: The Greater Milwaukee Foundation; Attention: Jerry D. Maahs Scholarship Fund, 1020 N. Broadway, Suite 112, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Founded in 1956, Alto-Shaam is the inventor of the Cook & Hold oven for low-temperature cooking and holding in the commercial cooking industry. Today, Alto-Shaam features a full line of Cook & Hold ovens, convection ovens, combi ovens, chillers, warming cabinets and drawers, heated buffet and display cabinets, merchandisers, fryers and rotisseries.
Founded in 1946, the Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as certificate programs, in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. It has a network of more than 37,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Cat Cora, Harold Dieterle, Steve Ells, Todd English, Duff Goldman, Sara Moulton, Charlie Palmer and Roy Yamaguchi. The college has campuses in New York (Hyde Park), California (The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, St. Helena) and Texas (San Antonio), as well as an additional location in New York City (Astor Center, Manhattan). In addition to its degree programs, the institute also offers courses for professionals and food enthusiasts, as well as wine education.
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