April 3, 2024, Santa Rosa, Betsy Fischer, Chair of the Culinary Arts Department at Santa Rosa Junior College, recently received the ‘Educating for the Future’ Award at the NorCal Public Media Food and Wine event on March 30, 2024.
Since 2000, Betsy has been in her “dream job” as an instructor in the Culinary Arts Program at Santa Rosa Junior College. She teaches courses in food and beverage operations and guides the department’s restaurant/teaching laboratory, Café Rose, open to the public and now in its 24th year. She is the founder of the SRJC Culinary Career Center, assisting students and graduates with their career aspirations and introducing them to employers and hospitality businesses throughout the North Bay. Betsy currently chairs the Culinary Arts Program, giving her an opportunity to lead faculty and staff in their goal to give every student the very best educational opportunities and move them forward in their careers.
“I am thrilled to receive the ‘Educating for the Future’ award from NorCal Public Media and KRCB. It takes a village, and we have a pretty great one in the Culinary Arts program at SRJC. Every day, I enjoy my work teaching and coaching my students, and brainstorming new learning opportunities with my colleagues. It’s challenging, rewarding, and it never gets old!” said Betsy.
The Second Annual NorCal Public Media Food & Wine Awards celebrate individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence, innovation, and a commitment to the betterment of our local communities and environment through agriculture, viticulture, sustainability, and compassion. By recognizing these heroes and makers, NorCal’s hope is to instill lasting inspiration and positive change in the environment and Bay Area communities. The Educating for the Future Award honors individuals who have made a positive impact on the education of the next generation of community members involved in food, agriculture, environment, and sustainable living.
“I could not be more excited and pleased to see Betsy honored in this way. So many of us know her stellar record of fine education. Sometimes it’s important to celebrate those less visible, hardworking talents who make our food, ag, and sustainability community what it is, towards what it can be,” said Clark Wolf, co-chair of the awards selection committee, along with NorCal’s President and CEO Darren LaShelle, and co-chair Daisy Damskey.
For more information about the awards program, visit https://norcalpublicmedia.org/support/norcal-public-media-food-and-wine-awards.
To schedule an interview with Betsy, contact Sarah Laggos at slaggos@santarosa.edu
About Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC)
SRJC is known for academic excellence, superb faculty and staff, comprehensive student services, and beautiful facilities. SRJC is dedicated to removing barriers to students’ success and making higher education accessible to all.
