A Tuscola County educator known for his dedication to culinary education has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Bob Zehnder, is a culinary arts teacher with the Tuscola Intermediate School District.

The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence In Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.

Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

Each winner also is featured in a news segment on the Lottery’s media partner stations: WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Zehnder will air this evening.

Zehnder says the chance to help the next generation of culinary artists is what drove him to pursue a career change to education.

“Careers in Technical Education teachers usually come from working in a specialized industry and often start teaching with no teaching qualifications. We work toward them after we are already in the classroom. I worked in various positions within the culinary field for 20 years before I started teaching. When I saw the position open for a culinary arts teacher, I jumped at the chance to do what I love, help the next generation on their journey, and be home for my family all at the same time.”

Seeing his students blossom and want to learn drives Zehnder to be a better teacher.

“What drives me to be a better teacher is seeing students blossom and want to learn. I also have a close network of other culinary teachers throughout Michigan, and we are always encouraging each other to do better and sharing ideas.”

Zehnder was nominated for the award by a colleague.

“Affectionately known as “Chef Bob,” not only demonstrates unwavering dedication to culinary education but has also consistently exceeded expectations in his service to both his students and the community. His exceptional commitment to high standards, hands-on mentorship, and inspiring achievements truly makes him deserving of this recognition. As an instructor working with culinary students, he goes above and beyond to provide them with exceptional experiences. His teaching philosophy revolves around the pursuit of excellence, instilling in his students the highest standards of culinary craftsmanship. Through his mentorship, he empowers his students to not only master their craft but also to develop a deep passion for the culinary arts. What sets Chef Bob apart is his willingness to work side by side with his students. He takes a hands-on approach in the kitchen, guiding and demonstrating to ensure the creation of high-quality cuisine. This collaborative approach fosters an environment of continuous learning and growth, where students feel inspired and confident to explore their culinary talents. One of Chef Bob’s most outstanding attributes is his unwavering commitment to community service. He and his dedicated students go the extra mile, often working before and after school hours to serve members of the community. This selfless act not only enriches the community, but also instills the values of service and generosity in his students. Chef Bob’s efforts extend far beyond the classroom, creating a positive ripple effect in the community. Chef Bob is a Certified Executive Chef and a Certified Culinary Educator, and he was a finalist at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Convention for the Culinary Educator of the Year Award in 2023, which is a remarkable achievement. His personal accomplishments serve as a living testament to the knowledge and passion he imparts to his students. Under Chef Bob’s guidance, his students have earned numerous accolades, including a first-place finish at Disney’s Cook Around the World competition. Furthermore, one of his mentored students achieved remarkable success, making it all the way to the National SkillsUSA convention, where they finished in the top 15 in the nation.”

Zehnder earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Ferris State University, and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree at Ferris State University. He has worked in education for 11 years, all of them in his current position.

Excellence in Education award nominees are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Excellence – Their work consistently helps students and/or their schools or school districts advance to higher levels of academic achievement.
• Dedication – They consistently go above and beyond expectations to help students succeed.
• Inspiration – Their work inspires others around them to exceed expectations either academically or professionally.
• Leadership – They demonstrate clear leadership skills in their positions with their school or school districts.
• Effectiveness – The nominee’s work has clear and positive results on the educational advancement of students within the school or school district.