Culinary Crossroads, in conjunction with the Ivy Tech Community College School of Culinary Arts, is pleased to announce the creation of the Chef Greg Hardesty Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will serve as an ongoing tribute to chef Hardesty, who passed away in the spring of 2021 and who left an indelible legacy through the training and mentoring many of Indy’s premier chefs.
The Culinary Crossroads Chef Greg Hardesty Scholarship will be awarded annually to Ivy Tech culinary students who demonstrate talent, leadership and dedication to the craft of cooking. Working with the Hardesty family and Ivy Tech, Culinary Crossroads will establish an advisory committee to review applications, interview finalists and provide unique internships to carry on Hardesty’s legacy for years to come.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to provide the launch pad for the Chef Greg Hardesty Scholarship Fund,” said Larry Dickerson, founder of Culinary Crossroads. “Each and every time we were looking for the best of the best in Indy’s culinary community, Greg’s name was at the top of the list. And each time we reached out to Greg for his insight, advice and participation, he stepped up. He cooked at our Spring Dinner Series last year, just a month before he passed away. Establishing this scholarship and committing our organization to growing the fund is the least we can do to honor someone who made such an incredible contribution to our culinary community.”
Hardesty’s wife, Susan Korte Hardesty, will be involved in the selection of the advisory committee and scholarship recipients.
“Our family is so pleased with the idea of a scholarship to honor Greg,” she said. “It’s comforting to know there will be an ongoing commitment by Greg’s colleagues, friends and customers to carry on his approach to cooking, his passion for the industry and his love for the culinary community.”
A portion of the proceeds from the Culinary Crossroads 2022 Spring Dinner Series, a four-week series with some of Indy’s top chefs that wraps up May 10, will provide initial funds for the scholarship. Ongoing funding will come through ticket sales for the Culinary Crossroads Supper Club, a monthly dinner series presented by Paramount Schools of Excellence in conjunction with Kelly’s Fund, a not-for-profit that supports the local food community.
Ivy Tech will begin accepting scholarship applicants later this year, with the first award anticipated for the spring semester of 2023. The scholarship will be open to students enrolled at the Indianapolis campus, as well as Ivy Tech’s five additional culinary school campuses. Ivy Tech Community College President Sue Ellspermann said the scholarship will help accelerate Ivy Tech’s commitment to the culinary arts.
“We are honored to be able celebrate chef Hardesty who guided his employees and colleagues to great professional careers,” said Ellspermann. “We look forward to celebrating the successes of future Hardesty Scholarship recipients and to the advancements that will come about through working with Hardesty Scholarship advisors.”
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