MISSION: The Chef William-Allen Peterson Culinary Arts Foundation honors Chef Will's enduring legacy by empowering aspiring young culinary arts students through policy-advocacy, industry education, scholarships, tool-kits, and culinary training in public high schools and post-secondary education programs.
We nurture promising and talented young men and women from underrepresented communities, transforming enthusiastic students into the next generation of passionate culinary arts specialists and professional chefs.
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“Privilege becomes responsibility the moment you realize not everyone gets the same chances.” Our foundation is dedicated to the enduring legacy of Chef William-Allen Peterson. This lasting tribute is created in homage to a kind spirited, remarkable human being, gifted cook, and dedicated chef who relentlessly practiced his craft with passion, innovation, professionalism and excellence.
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Chef Will's Foundation Enters Into Collaborative MOU Promoting Nationally Validated Culinary Curricula in Virginia Public Schools The Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) establishes a collaborative partnership between Chef Will's Foundation and the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association Foundation (VRLTAF) to advance culinary arts education and workforce development opportunities for under-resourced high school and post-secondary students in Virginia. The intent is to formalize shared efforts that increase access, provide industry-aligned training, and support pathways to student career success in the culinary and hospitality fields. To learn more about the Virginia ProStart program for your local public school career technical education (CTE) activity contact Dr. Jai Girard, Director of Education & Workforce Development at jai@vrlta.org.
NEW!!! Virginia ProStart Schools Monthly Competition Series 2026–27. The deadline to sign up is September 28th at 5 pm learn more HERE. Mark your calendars for the Virginia ProStart Invitational Competitions to be held on February 24-25, 2027, at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Spotsylvania, Virginia!
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SAVOR, SIP AND SUPPORT: CHEF WILLIAM-ALLEN PETERSON CULINARY ARTS FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS FOR ONLINE FUNDRAISING RAFFLE Virginia non-profit collaborates with award-winning Monticello wine region culinary vineyard to provide an epicurean wine dinner experience to benefit the next generation of young culinary talent.
Win a chance to attend a private gathering to enjoy a 5-Course Epicurean Wine Dinner Fine Dining Experience expertly paired with Pippin Hill wines curated by Executive Chef Victoria Cosner in Charlottesville VA.! There are three separate culinary-vineyard experience raffles, with multiple chances to win more than $5,000 in prizes. Including wine dinner seating, vineyard experiences, award winning Pippin Hill wines and a chef worthy culinary discovery package grand prize valued at $2,000! To view and download our full color raffle brochure describing the delicious 5-course wine dinner menu, wine list, premium culinary prizes and to purchase raffle tickets, visit ChefWill.org/fundraising/pippin-hill/.
Would you like raffle brochures to share with your gourmet food, wine enthusiast, or youth education colleagues and friends? Give us a call at (434) 987-1336. Thanks for the assist!
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Congratulations!
National Championship Culinary Arts Medalists
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SkillsUSA Press Room: Chef William-Allen Peterson Culinary Arts Foundation Partners with Skills USA to Support Culinary Student Success at the 2025 and 2026 SkillsUSA National Championships! NEWS RELEASE
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Thank You Costco Wholesale for Supporting Culinary Arts Teachers in Virginia!
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Chef Will's Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation to Costco Wholesale Club for funding CAPERS Proteins & Produce Grants for two southern Virginia ProStart high school culinary arts teachers. Grants are intended to supplement classroom budgets for vegetables and poultry to facilitate essential culinary knife skills training. These happy Culinary Arts Teachers were attending a ProStart Teacher Institute and Professional Development Workshop in Richmond, Virginia in June. Chef Will's Foundation representatives on the left is Chef Bob Bressan our Education and Training Coordinator, and on the right, Morris Peterson our Founder. Take a look at the Virginia ProStart 2026 schedule for Culinary Arts Teacher Boot Camps HERE. Time certainly very well spent!
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“You don’t go to school to become the best chef in the world right after you graduate. School is always a starting point so what people forget is that you go to school to build a foundation, and you want to build a foundation that’s not going to crumble.”
~ Chef Roy Yamaguchi
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With Sincere Appreciation We Feature Our
PARTNERS IN PURPOSE!
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Amplify Our Mission To Support, Assist and Empower Promising and Talented Young Culinary Arts Students in Public Schools at the Beginning of the Career Workforce Pipeline for the Foods, Culinary, Hospitality and Restaurant Industries.
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PO Box 8392 Charlottesville, Virginia 22906 I Tel: (434) 987-1336
Website: ChefWill.org I Email: Contact@ChefWill.org
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