Tim Michitsch

August 9, 2010 -- Lorain County JVS Culinary Arts Instructor, Timothy Michitsch, was honored with the Ohio ProStart Teacher of Excellence Award for 2010.

Sharon Fish, Executive Director of the Ohio Restaurant Association Education Foundation presented Michitsch with this award at the ProStart Invitational Competition held recently in Columbus, Ohio.

Michitsch, of Olmsted Falls was recognized for demonstrating exceptional dedication to the ProStart program, an industry-based restaurant and foodservice curriculum. His accomplishments include extending the program's curriculum by facilitating internships, providing guest speakers, field trips, and other motivational activities to help make the program meaningful for students. Most notably, Michitsch has organized a Culinary Institute of America day for four consecutive years, inviting over 400 students from around the state to spend the day interacting with guest chefs and engaged in culinary learning activities.

Chef Michitsch was recognized as Culinary Educator for the ACF Cleveland Chapter in 1995. The Ohio Vocational Association has recognized him with the Pacesetter Award for Outstanding Leadership in 1993 and 1998. He was twice nominated as Teacher of the Year with the same organization. In 1993 he received the prestigious New Professional Award. The Cleveland Restaurant Association presented chef Michitsch with The Lifetime Service Award through Education in 2004.

His students consistently earn awards at competitions and often competing with college students. He coached seven Ohio ProStart Culinary State Champion teams in and was advisor to the national teams, which has ranked in the top ten in the country. He has also coached culinary students to 12 national culinary competitions through the FCCLA youth organization.

Michitsch has been a chef-instructor of the JVS Culinary Arts Program for 23 years. He received his culinary education at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, New York.