Benjamin Simpson Earns American Culinary Federation Scholarship

February 23, 2021

Benjamin Simpson stands outside in his red chef's coat and white jacket. Benjamin has brown hair, a beard and mustache, and glasses. The Central Maine Community College Education Foundation (CM Foundation) and the Maine Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) are proud to announce Benjamin Simpson of Turner, Maine as the first recipient of a $500 ACF endowed scholarship at Central Maine Community College (CMCC).

A second-year student, Benjamin is on track to earn his Associate in Applied Science in Culinary Arts in May 2021, and hopes to work for a bakery well-known in his hometown.

“Words aren’t enough to express my gratitude, especially with COVID-19…it felt great being able to help [my family] when the going got rough,” says Benjamin. “This scholarship has been able to help me afford my housing and definitely took a weight off of my shoulders.”

In November of 2020, ACF presented a check for over $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship fund with the CM Foundation. This scholarship directly benefits Culinary and Restaurant Management students at CMCC.

“The endowed scholarship through the Maine Chapter of the American Culinary Foundation enables students the chance to overcome barriers, allowing them to pursue their love of cooking and baking,” says Austin Perreault, chair of the Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management programs at CMCC. “We feel very thankful for their dedication and support.”