The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) bestowed Roberta L. Dowling, CCP, with the Award of Excellence in the Entrepreneur Category at its 30^th International Annual Conference on April 18, 2008, in New Orleans. Dowling was nominated for the award for her life-long contribution to the advancement of the culinary arts education business.

The award ceremony was in the style of the Oscars, with the incoming IACP President Cathy Cochran-Lewis and the awards ceremony emcee announcing each category’s nominee. Cochran-Lewis presented Dowling with her award.

“I’m on cloud 9,” said Dowling minutes after accepting the award. “Unequivocally, I couldn’t have won this award without the support of my family, my staff, and my students.” During Dowling's acceptance speech, she asked her students to stand to be recognized. "Without my students," she said, "I would not be here. Please give them a round of applause."

“It was like the Academy Awards,” said Rebecca Scheirer PCP ’08, who attended the IACP conference for the first time with Naomi Esterhuizen PCP ’08. “It was very exciting to see Roberta win this award in the company of internationally known culinary celebrities. It was an honor for her and the school. Naomi and I were thrilled to be apart of it.”

Dowling began teaching cooking classes in her home under the business, Creative Cuisine, in 1974. She opened her first commercial kitchen at the 2020 Massachusetts Avenue location in 1975. In 1981 her first professional culinary training program was accredited, the recreational cooking program was fully operational, as was her catering business, DeGustibus, winning the Best of Boston award. Also in 1981, she changed the name of the school to The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Since then, she has added the Professional Pastry Program and two certificate programs, the Culinary Certificate Program and the Pastry Certificate Program, and expanded the facilities to include four professional-grade kitchens.

This is the first award Roberta has received from the IACP. She has been a charter member of the organization since 1979 and earned the Certified Culinary Professional certification in 1987. She has served on the IACP Culinary Certificate committee since that year. She has attended all but one of 30 IACP International Annual Conferences.

The IACP is a not-for-profit 4000-plus member organization that provides continuing education and development for its members who are engaged in the areas of culinary education, communication, or in the preparation of food and drink.

For a complete list of 2008 IACP Award winners, view IACP's website at www.iacp.com.

Roberta L. Dowling, CCP, accepts the Award of Excellence from IACP President Cathy Cochran-Lewis. Photo credit: Riverview Photography
 

Roberta L. Dowling, CCP, gives an acceptance speech during the IACP 30th International Conference, New Orleans, on April 18. 2008. Photo credit: Riverview Photography.