Dawn Foods executive chef lands American Culinary Federation honors

Melissa Trimmer has been named Pastry Chef of the Year by the Michigan chapter.

Melissa Trimmer, Dawn Foods

Dawn Foods, a manufacturer and distributor of bakery ingredients and distributor, has announced that its Corporate Executive Chef and Director of Culinary & Innovation Studio, Melissa Trimmer, has received the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Pastry Chef of the Year Award 2022 from the Michigan Chefs de Cuisine chapter of ACF. The award reportedly recognizes her passion for the craft, accomplished reputation in the pastry field, and dedication to educating others by sharing skills and knowledge. Due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACF held its first Chef of the Year dinner in two years, honoring both 2022 and 2023 award recipients at the event on January 22, 2024.

According to the company, Trimmer's contributions extend beyond her culinary expertise. She actively engages with the baking industry by participating in various events aimed at fostering culinary education and promoting diversity. In March, she will serve as a judge for the Michigan state ProStart competition, an industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. With approximately 165,000 students participating in more than 1,800 schools nationwide, ProStart equips students with the skills necessary to thrive in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

In April, Trimmer will speak at the Women in Culinary Apprenticeship fundraising event hosted by the Detroit Institute of Gastronomy (DIG). The event aims to provide women interested in the culinary industry with opportunities to learn culinary arts through apprenticeship programs. “The future of the culinary industry will benefit greatly from increased female leadership,” says Trimmer. “Women chefs bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the kitchen.”

In June, she will serve as a judge for a SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that empowers students to become skilled professionals and responsible community leaders in various trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.

Furthermore, in July, Trimmer will participate in a community garden event in Ypsilanti, MI, called Growing Hope. The event is part of Growing Hope's high school program, where she will train students from the Ypsilanti school district how to prepare healthy meals using ingredients at their disposal.

Trimmer's recognition by the American Culinary Federation underscores her significant contributions to the culinary industry, aligning with Dawn Foods’ commitment to excellence and support for culinary education and diversity initiatives.

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Jenni Spinner is the chief editor of Snack Food and Wholesale with more than 25 years of experience in business-to-business communications. She has written extensively about food production, safety and packaging; pharmaceutical drug development; concrete and masonry construction; and more. She holds a Bachelor’s in Communications from the University of Illinois. Jenni can be reached at spinnerj@bnpmedia.com.