Explore our achievements year by year. Each section showcases the awards and recognitions that reflect MSU Culinary Services’ commitment to excellence and its dedication to the entire community.

  • 2025

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Convention
    Hermann G. Rusch Chef’s Achievement Award 
    National Winner and Central Region 
    Recipient: Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar, CEC, AAC

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Convention
    Presidential Medallion
    Recipient: Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar, CEC, AAC

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) National Convention
    Team United Golden Toque
    Recipient: Chef Rajeev Patgaonkar, CEC, AAC

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) 
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge
    Recipient: Chef Paulina Rivas Ayala - Gold

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) 
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge
    Recipient: Chef Dejuan Everett - Bronze

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) 
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge
    Recipient: Chef Vu Bui - Bronze

    Michigan State University versus University of Michigan Culinary Throwdown Competition
    Sponsored by King’s Hawaiian and Hormel
    First Place MSU 

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Twentieth Consecutive Year)

  • 2024

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award 
    Category: Catering Event 
    Event: Student Organic Farm Gala

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) 
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge
    Recipient: Chef Dejuan Everett - Bronze

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Nineteenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2023

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Eighteenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2022

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Seventeenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2021

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) Event at Dorsey Schools Culinary Academy
    Recipient: Chef Kari Magee - Gold (Vegan Cuisine)

    Fair Market Winning Entry (Invited to FMU 2021) 
    Categories: Vegan recipe and marketing plan
    Recipients: Chef Kari Magee and Cheryl Berry, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications 

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Sixteenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2020

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award – Gold, Grand Prize
    Category: Residential Dining Facility
    Location: Thrive at Owen (allergen-free dining hall)

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award - Bronze
    Category: Residential Dining - Special Event
    Event: Veterans’ Day Dinner at The Vista at Shaw 

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) 
    Sustainability Award for Procurement Practices - Gold

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) 
    Sustainability Award for Outreach and Education - Gold 

    Best Allergy Innovation for Universities from AllerTrain™
    (recognizing the Thrive at Owen Allergen-free Dining Hall)

    Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) - Best Campus Dining Awards
    Leaders in Foodservice Award
    (enhancing the lives of individuals with food allergies)

    Food Management - Top Twelve Foodservice Heroes (during the Pandemic) 
    Recipient: Jermaine Buchanan, Operations Supervisor, MSU Food Stores

    Food Management - Foodservice Heroes (during the Pandemic) 
    Recipients: 
    •    Dave Brown, Complex Dining Manager
    •    Denise Gerst, Procurement Coordinator/Contract Administrator
    •    Greg Petrone, Cook II
    •    Kari Magee, Sous Chef
    •    Robbia Pipper, Complex Dining Services Manager
    •    Sally Gatlin, Operations Manager, MSU Concessions
    •    Steve Krish, Manager, Sparty’s Market

    Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award 
    Recipient: Cindy Baswell, Manager, MSU Bakers 

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Fifteenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2019

    American Culinary Federation (ACF)
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge 
    Recipient: Chef Kari Magee - Gold

    The Honor Society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF)
    American Academy of Chefs Induction
    Recipient: Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski

    American Culinary Federation (ACF)
    Certified Culinary Administrator
    Designation earned by Executive Chef Dien Ly

    American Culinary Federation (ACF)
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge
    Recipient: Chef Ryan Barlow - Silver

    Michigan State University versus University of Michigan Culinary Throwdown Competition
    First Place MSU 

    Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award 
    Recipient: Tom Dunn, Production Cook, Holmes Dining Hall

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Fifteenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2018

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) 
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award – Silver
    Category: Retail Sales Marketplace
    Location: Sparty’s Market (innovative retail concept and offerings)

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award - Bronze
    Category: Residential Dining - Special Event
    Event: Sparty’s Market, Beauty and the Beast Dinner
    Location: Hubbard Dining Hall

    American Culinary Federation (ACF) 
    NACUFS Midwest Regional Culinary Challenge
    Recipient: Chef Ryan Barlow - Gold

    American Culinary Federation (AFC) 
    Cutting Edge Award
    Recipient: Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski

    Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association
    Chef of the Year Award  
    Recipient: Executive Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski

    Michigan chapter of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA-MI)
    Equity and Inclusion Award 
    Recipient: Brenda Nelson, Complex Dining Manager 

    Michigan State University versus University of Michigan Culinary Throwdown Competition
    First Place MSU 

    Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award 
    Recipient: Don Donagrandi, Complex Dining Manager

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Fourteenth Consecutive Year)

    The Daily Meal - 75 Best Colleges For Food Ranking
    MSU Culinary Services is ranked No. 19

  • 2017

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) 
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award - Silver
    Category: Residential Dining - Special Event
    Event: Superheroes of Halloween at Hubbard Dining Hall

    Best Overall Food Allergy Program Award from AllerTrain™

    Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award
    Recipient: Bill Kost, Associate Director of Retail Services 

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Thirteenth Consecutive Year)

  • 2016

    National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
    Loyal E. Horton Dining Award - Silver
    Category: Residential Dining Concept
    Location: The Edge at Akers

    MSU - Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) Globie Awards
    Recipients: Assistant Dining Manager Paul Rinella and Executive Chef Jason Strotheide

    Michigan State University versus University of Michigan Culinary Throwdown Competition
    First Place MSU 

    Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award
    Recipient: Marta Mittermaier, Associate Director for Culinary Support Services

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Twelfth Consecutive Year)

  • 2015

    Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) - Best Campus Dining Awards
    Leader in Foodservice Award

    Peckham – Community Employer of the Year
    (employment and opportunities for individuals with disabilities)

    Michigan State University versus University of Michigan Culinary Throwdown Competition
    First Place MSU 

    Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
    Kellogg Center - State Room Restaurant (Eleventh Consecutive Year)

  • Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award (Culinary Services Winners)

    2020
    Recipient: Cindy Baswell, Manager, MSU Bakers 

    2019
    Recipient: Tom Dunn, Production Cook, Holmes Dining Hall

    2018
    Recipient: Don Donagrandi, Complex Dining Manager

    2017
    Recipient: Bill Kost, Associate Director of Retail Services 

    2014
    Recipient: Brenda Nelson, Dining Complex Manager

    2010
    Recipient: Matt McKune, Assistant Director of Residential Dining

    2007
    Recipient: Gilbert Manuell, Cook, West Circle

    2006
    Recipient: Guy Procopio, Director of Culinary Services