New York City, NEW YORK – Join Fox 5 TV personality and Good Day New York Weather Anchor Mike Woods to celebrate diversity in the hospitality and culinary industries April 10^th,, 2010, at the New York Marriott Marquis. Urban Health and Wellness will be an addressed as a core topic by Dr. John M. Palmer, Executive Director of Harlem Hospital and the Renaissance Health Care Network.  

Corporate sponsors Hobart, Marriott, Restaurant Associates-Compass, Electrolux, Food Network, Sodexo, Irinox, Powerhouse Productions will partner with the BCA to honor leaders in diversity at the BCA’s annual black tie Cultural Awareness Salute. Charmain Sithappah, CEO of The Seasoned Pot Company and a leading ambassador of South African cuisine to the world, will receive the Jefferson Evans award for culinary excellence. The Heritage Award for life-long achievement will be presented to Melba Wilson, owner of Melba’s Restaurant and Catering. The evening will also include special presentations by the Food Network, Drew Nieporent (Owner, Myriad Restaurant Group), and the South African Consulate.

Now in its 17^th year, the BCA’s Cultural Awareness Salute honors the achievements of people of color in the hospitality and culinary business, provides a space for industry networking and dialogue about the advancement of diversity, and gives culinary students from around the country the opportunity to cook alongside nationally renowned chefs.

The gala will begin with a VIP and cocktail reception, followed by a multi-course dinner, Viennese reception, and dancing and entertainment throughout the night. The gala dinner will give a taste of the future of the industry with four courses and wine pairings prepared by students from Johnson & Wales University, South Bronx Job Corps Academy, Prince George Community College, Cordon Bleu Dallas, the Culinary Program at Brooklyn Job Corps Academy, Monroe College, Hudson County Community College, Foodservice Training Academy, Career Academy of NY, Culinary Training Institute, Newark Vocational High School, the Academy of Vocational Careers, the University  of Northern Texas, and the Culinary Institute of America. “Students from different schools and different backgrounds come together in the same kitchen and cook in a non-competitive environment,” says Alex Askew, President of BCA. “Those of us who attend are honored to witness the promise of future leaders and work together towards a more diverse industry.”

Tickets for the BCA’s 17^th Cultural Awareness Salute are $200 per person ($300 per person for the VIP reception) and are available by contacting BCA at (212) 643-6570 or via online ticketing at the BCA website: www.bcaglobal.org.  

-END-