Food Services head granted highest honour by national peers

Dave McEwen

The Canadian College and University Food Service Association paid Dave McEwen its highest compliment during its conference last weekend in Niagara Falls.

It bestowed its Distinguished Service Award for contributions to the industry on McEwen, head of the UWindsor food services department—the first time the award has been made since 2010.

“This is a humbling honour for me,” McEwen said. “Nothing can compare with recognition from your peers.”

McEwen has held a number of positions within the association, including two terms as president and his current role as culinary chair.

In his awards citation, Kevin McCabe, associate director of hospitality services at Western University, noted McEwen’s contributions to the association’s annual chefs competition, which he called “the showpiece of our national conference.”

McCabe also cited McEwen’s work at the University of Windsor.

“He has been able to recreate, innovate and redesign the University’s hospitality department, showing keen abilities and an exceptionally strong understanding of the food service environment within an institutional setting,” he said.

The award is named to honour Gord G. Mann, the association's first president.