George Macht Culinary and Baking Scholarship Challenge

Geographic Scope: College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL

Focus Areas:

• Culinary Arts
• Baking and Pastry Arts
• Hospitality programs

Program Description:
Competition-based scholarship opportunity for culinary and pastry arts students. The event features pastry and culinary challenges where students compete for scholarships to cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies. First held in the inaugural year with subsequent competitions held annually through at least 2025.

Eligibility:

• Students: First-year Baking and Culinary students
• GPA Requirement: 2.0 or higher
• Program Requirements: Must be enrolled in Culinary, Baking, or Pastry Arts programs at College of DuPage

Award Structure:

• First Place (Culinary): $4,500
• Second Place (Culinary): $2,000
• First Place (Baking/Pastry): $4,500
• Second Place (Baking/Pastry): $2,000

Historical Context:
Established by George Macht, retired Hospitality Administration program coordinator and professor (34 years of service, retired 2008). Macht created an endowment at the College of DuPage Foundation to support scholarships for students majoring in Culinary or Hospitality programs. The challenge began in 2021 as the inaugural event.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (630) 942-3088
• Email: foundation@codfound.org
• Address: College of DuPage Foundation, 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
• Website: foundation.cod.edu

What They Fund:
Scholarships for culinary and hospitality students competing in culinary and baking challenges

Application Process

The George Macht Culinary and Baking Scholarship Challenge is a competition-based scholarship. Students do not submit written applications. Instead, they compete in live culinary and baking challenges.

Competition Format:
1. Pastry Arts Challenge - Students demonstrate pastry/baking skills
2. Culinary Challenge - Students demonstrate culinary skills

How to Participate:
1. Eligibility Check: Verify you are a first-year Baking or Culinary student with a 2.0+ GPA
2. Registration: Register through College of DuPage (details not provided in source materials)
3. Preparation:
- Study and practice provided recipes
- Attend faculty demonstrations of each recipe
- Practice with instructors and seek feedback from friends/family
- Ask instructors questions
4. Competition Day:
- All ingredients and equipment provided
- Work at assigned stations
- Judges observe and evaluate cooking skills
5. Judging:
- Evaluated by panel of judges (includes industry professionals and alumni)
- Judges assess cooking technique and skill

Required Materials:

Important Notes:

For More Information:
Visit foundation.cod.edu or contact the College of DuPage Foundation at (630) 942-3088 or foundation@codfound.org