At the Culinary Future Foundation, our mission is to foster the next generation of culinary professionals by transmitting essential knowledge, skills, and traditions.
We are dedicated to supporting hospitality careers and ensuring the future of our industry through innovative training programs and professional development. By nurturing talent and preserving the rich heritage of French gastronomy, we strive to create a sustainable future where excellence, craftsmanship, and culinary artistry continue to thrive.
We offer several ways for you to contribute to the foundation, ensuring that every donation helps us achieve our mission of fostering the next generation of culinary talent.
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Founded with a deep commitment to the culinary arts, the Culinary Future Foundation is an initiative of the Académie Culinaire de France's USA & Canada Delegation. With over 140 years of dedication to preserving and promoting French culinary traditions globally, the foundation builds on this legacy by providing young men and women with the opportunity to excel in the hospitality and restaurant industries. Through partnerships, mentorships, and rigorous training, we aim to uphold the highest standards of culinary excellence while adapting to the evolving needs of the modern hospitality industry.
In 2026, the foundation expanded its Work-Study Program internationally, offering participants the opportunity to gain professional training in France. This new initiative allowed aspiring chefs to experience the heart of French cuisine while advancing their skills in top-tier French kitchens.
The foundation expanded its reach by forming partnerships with culinary schools and restaurants, launching the long-Training Program, and growing its network of mentors. The focus on diversity and inclusion became a core value.
The Culinary Future Foundation was established with a mission to empower young chefs and preserve the traditions of French gastronomy. Its vision was to offer training programs, mentorship, and real-world experience to aspiring culinary professionals.
We offer several ways for you to contribute to the foundation, ensuring that every donation helps us achieve our mission of fostering the next generation of culinary talent.
Donate Now
Our leadership team consists of renowned culinary experts and passionate industry professionals who guide the foundation’s vision. With decades of experience, they are committed to ensuring the success of our programs and the future of our students.
Sebastien brings over 20 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry. As Chairman, he oversees the foundation’s strategic vision and governance.
Sebastien Baud
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Fabrice Guinchard is a founding member and Director of the Culinary Future Foundation. A respected leader in gastronomy, he brings decades of experience and a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of culinary talent.
Fabrice Guinchard
Board Member / Director & Founder
Jean-Claude Plihon is a founding member and Director of the Culinary Future Foundation. With decades of experience in hospitality and culinary education, he is deeply committed to mentoring future professionals and advancing excellence in the culinary arts.
Jean-Claude Plihon
Board Member / Director & Founder
A celebrated executive chef with over 25 years of experience, Jean-Louis Gerin brings invaluable culinary insight and leadership to the Foundation. As a founder and director, he plays a key role in shaping the vision and quality of our programs, sharing his passion for excellence, mentorship, and the advancement of the culinary arts.
Jean-Louis Gerin
Board Member / Director & Founder
Sophia leads the Work-Study Program, connecting aspiring young chefs with prestigious culinary schools and internships in France. She ensures that each participant receives a world-class education and practical training.
Sophia Girard
Work-Study Program Manager
Antoine manages the Long Training Program, guiding mid-career professionals through their culinary development. His mission is to foster culinary excellence and career advancement.
Antoine Laurent
Long Training Program Manager
Emilie coordinates the Short Training Program, offering flexible learning opportunities for culinary professionals looking to enhance their skills. She works closely with individuals and companies to meet specific training needs.
Emilie Rousseau
Short Training Program Manager
Isabelle recruits, trains, and supports the foundation’s mentors, ensuring that they are equipped to guide the next generation of chefs. Her role is to match mentors with students based on their expertise and goals.
Isabelle Durand
Mentor Program Manager
Lucas manages the recruitment and onboarding of mentors, ensuring that they are aligned with the foundation’s values and ready to inspire future culinary professionals.
Lucas Beaumont
Mentor Recruitment Coordinator
Elodie is the point of contact for corporate partners, working with top-tier restaurants, hotels, and wineries to provide internships, apprenticeships, and sponsorships. She ensures that each partner is integrated into the foundation’s mission.
Elodie Fontaine
Corporate Partnership Manager
Julien coordinates the logistics for all corporate partnerships, helping place participants in internships and ensuring that both partners and students have a successful experience.
Julien Moreau
Corporate Relationship Coordinator
Camille manages all communication with applicants, ensuring they are kept informed throughout the application process. She handles scheduling interviews, following up on documents, and general inquiries.
Camille Bernard
Administrative Coordinator
Hugo is responsible for the initial screening of applications, ensuring that all candidates meet the eligibility requirements. He works closely with Program Managers to ensure a smooth application process.
Hugo Lefevre
Application Review Specialist
At the core of the Culinary Future Foundation are three guiding principles:
We believe in the power of giving—whether it’s sharing knowledge, offering opportunities, or mentoring the next generation. Our programs are designed to inspire a culture of giving back to the industry.
Collaboration and unity are key to the success of our mission. We foster strong relationships between culinary professionals, businesses, and students, creating a community committed to mutual growth.
We stand together to support the future of the hospitality industry. Through our programs, we ensure that every participant is equipped with the skills and resources they need to succeed, while upholding the legacy of French culinary tradition.
We offer several ways for you to contribute to the foundation, ensuring that every donation helps us achieve our mission of fostering the next generation of culinary talent.
Donate Now
The hospitality and culinary industries are facing unprecedented challenges that threaten the sustainability of their workforce and the quality of service. From staffing shortages to a lack of specialized skills, these issues affect not only the day-to-day operations of businesses but also the long-term future of the industry.
The hospitality industry is grappling with several significant challenges:
There is a growing shortage of qualified professionals, which impacts service quality and operational efficiency. Many businesses struggle to find and retain skilled staff, leading to high turnover rates and instability.
The industry has long been associated with demanding working conditions, including long hours, physical labor, and lower wages. These factors contribute to a negative image, discouraging young professionals from pursuing careers in hospitality.
Many positions in the industry require specialized skills, but there is a gap in training and education. This makes it difficult for businesses to find employees who meet the technical and professional standards needed for success.
Salaries in hospitality can be lower than in other industries, making it difficult to attract and retain talent, especially in high-skill roles.
The combination of these factors often leads to high employee turnover, which affects not only business stability but also service quality and customer satisfaction.
Many young people are opting for careers outside of hospitality, seeing it as less appealing due to the challenges mentioned above. This contributes to the ongoing shortage of new talent entering the industry.
At the Culinary Future Foundation, we are committed to addressing these challenges head-on through innovative training programs and professional development initiatives. Here’s how we are tackling the key issues:
Our Long Training, Short Training, and Work-Study programs are designed to provide both aspiring and experienced professionals with the skills they need to succeed. By focusing on hands-on experience, mentorship, and real-world applications, we help bridge the gap between training and the demands of the industry.
Through targeted communication and awareness campaigns, we are working to reshape how the industry is perceived. By highlighting success stories, offering better work-life balance solutions, and promoting career growth opportunities, we aim to attract new talent to hospitality.
Our programs focus on equipping participants with both foundational and advanced skills in key areas such as culinary techniques, management, and customer service. We collaborate with industry leaders to ensure that our training reflects the latest trends and needs of the sector.
We advocate for competitive compensation and clear career advancement pathways. Our goal is to make hospitality a more attractive career choice by improving working conditions and supporting long-term career growth through mentorship and training.
Each participant in our programs is paired with an experienced mentor, ensuring that they receive personalized guidance and support. This mentorship plays a critical role in helping professionals navigate the challenges of the industry and build a successful career.
We actively engage with young people through educational outreach, competitions, and online platforms to spark interest in culinary and hospitality careers. By showcasing the exciting opportunities available in the industry, we aim to inspire the next generation of professionals.
By addressing these challenges through our programs and initiatives, the Culinary Future Foundation is working to build a stronger, more sustainable future for the hospitality industry.We believe in the power of education, mentorship, and innovation to transform the industry and create new opportunities for success.
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